Overview
We’re looking for a Lead Facilitator to join our team, delivering our suite of mental health programmes to children, young people and their supporting adults across Oxfordshire. We’re seeking someone with a relevant qualification or professional background in mental health, youth work, education or therapeutic practice with demonstrable experience of facilitating groups of children or young people and who may also be able to draw on lived experience where appropriate. The successful postholder will work with our small team of volunteers and freelance staff to lead programme delivery. They will ensure the consistent, high‑quality delivery of Discovery College programmes, strong support and development of volunteer facilitators, and robust evaluation to evidence impact for funders and partners.
Responsibilities
- Lead the planning, delivery and ongoing development of Oxfordshire Discovery College’s suite of programmes on a rolling basis throughout the year, ensuring high‑quality facilitation, psychologically safe spaces and meaningful peer learning experiences.
- Provide leadership to facilitators and volunteers involved in programme delivery, including recruitment, induction, training, support, supervision, and ongoing development, in line with safer recruitment and organisational policies.
- Work with local partners to advertise programmes and recruit participants, ensure group needs are met, and student support runs smoothly.
- Be a trusted adult for participants, developing good working relationships, actively listening, and helping them to get the most from their programme experience.
- Carry out administrative tasks related to programme planning and delivery, including filing consent forms and ordering resources.
- Implement our monitoring and evaluation process to gather impact data and feedback to meet reporting requirements and inform future development.
- Where appropriate and comfortable, share aspects of lived experience as a role model within a recovery‑focused approach.
- Work closely with the CEO to ensure that work is delivered in line with funder’s expectations and the Discovery College model and vision.
- Safeguard the wellbeing of children and young people, acting in accordance with Oxfordshire Discovery College’s safeguarding policies and procedures, and escalating concerns appropriately.
- Adhere to all relevant organisational policies, processes and procedures.
- Engage in regular supervision and professional development opportunities.
- Uphold the values and ethos of the Discovery College in all aspects of the work.
Qualifications
- Professional expertise and/or qualification in a relevant field (e.g. teaching, clinical psychology, youth work, sports coaching, applied wellbeing).
- Good understanding and knowledge of mental health and wellbeing in young people.
- Experience of leading, coordinating and facilitating the delivery of programmes including planning, problem‑solving and quality oversight.
- Ability to be assertive, engaging and co‑facilitate a small group of children or young people.
- Experience of supporting, supervising and/or coordinating volunteers or staff, including induction and ongoing support.
- Excellent written and verbal communication and strong listening skills.
- Strong teamwork skills and willingness to work collaboratively to co‑produce and co‑deliver programme content.
- Empathetic, with fantastic ability to build good working relationships with participants and partners.
- Commitment to principles of recovery and wellbeing and the ability to model and maintain personal wellbeing.
- Ability to work under own initiative and manage workload effectively.
- Creative, flexible approach to problem‑solving.
- Full UK driving licence and access to a car.
- Understanding of child and adult safeguarding.
- Understanding of, or willingness to work within, lived experience and peer learning approaches.
- Personal lived experience of mental health challenges as a child or young person, or as a parent or carer.
- First Aid qualification.
- Experience of evaluating impact, and collecting and processing feedback.
- Experience working in schools or education settings.
- Experience of working with parents or carers.
- Experience working in a small charity or community organisation.
Other Information
Delivery takes place at various locations across Oxfordshire. The role is based in Didcot; commuting around Oxfordshire is required and a valid driving licence and access to a vehicle are necessary. Some flexibility may be required to support occasional evening or weekend programmes by prior agreement. Any offer of employment is subject to a satisfactory DBS check. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
Benefits
Contributory pension scheme. Annual leave entitlement is calculated on a pro rata basis. Regular supervision and a friendly, supportive team.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive working environment.
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