Involvement and Partnership Officer (Band 7) within the Involvement and Community Development Team

Job Summary / Main Purpose

The post holder will be responsible for supporting the development of approaches to embed Personal and Public Involvement (PPI), co-production and partnership working into the culture, ethos and practice of services within the Belfast Trust. This will be in line with regional legislation and policy including HSC Reform Act (NI) (2009), Making Life Better, Health and Wellbeing 2026, Programme for Government and the Co-production guidelines for NI.

They will support service users, carers, members of the public and the community and voluntary sector to work in partnership with Trust staff to create, plan and implement a range of methodologies and opportunities for PPI, co-production and partnership working. They will assist with the monitoring and evaluation of these activities in line with the Trust’s Involvement strategy.

The post holder will support the development of partnership working with the community and voluntary sector and will represent the Trust on a range of external groups and forums.

Main Duties / Responsibilities

For each of the following, the postholder will;

• Support the strategic and operational development, delivery, management and monitoring of PPI, co-production and partnership working across services within the Trust.
• Support the PPI Lead in the development and delivery of a range of training and education programmes across the Trust to improve and enhance PPI, co-production and partnership working by staff.
• Provide specialist advice, guidance and support to Trust staff on the development, delivery and evaluation of PPI, co-production and partnership working.
• Support the recruitment and retention of service users and carers to support PPI and co-production work within the Trust.
• Represent the Trust on a range of external groups and forums and support the two-way flow of information to support the work of these groups.

Communication and Relationships

• Act as a champion for PPI, co-production, community development approaches and partnership working.
• Develop strong working links with stakeholders, internal and external, including service users, carers, advocates and the wider community and voluntary sector.
• Actively promote the vision, ethos, concepts and practice of PPI, Co-production, community development and partnership working across all aspects of Belfast Trust business and with key partners.
• Ensure effective communication and networking with the community and voluntary sector through the development of robust, communication and information processes and systems.
• Challenge organisational and individual decision-making practice where PPI, co-production and partnership working are not evident, seeking improvement in practice were it is necessary.
• Work across Belfast Trust to communicate and evaluate best practice and the impact of PPI, co-production and partnership working.

Planning and Organisation

• Lead on the development, implementation and evaluation of regional or local plans in response to identified needs and strategic priorities.
• Work closely with representatives of the PHA, HSCB, LCGs, Trusts, Special Agencies, service users, carers, advocates, community and voluntary organisations to ensure the delivery of identified priorities in relation to PPI, Co-production and partnership working.
• Contribute to the development of capacity building and support processes for service users, carers and communities to enable them to participate confidently and effectively in PPI and Co-production opportunities within the Trust.
• Support the development and implementation of mechanisms for gathering evidence and evaluating the impact and outcomes of PPI, Co-production, community development and partnership working.

Policy/Service Development

• Influence planning and decision making to ensure that PPI, co-production, community development and partnership working are reflected in the work of the Trust.
• Review evidence of effective PPI, co-production and partnership working approaches and ensure that this informs and updates current practice on a regular basis.

Financial and Budgetary Management

• Work with the PPI Lead to identify and obtain resources both within the HSC system and externally if possible, to advance and strengthen the concepts, objectives and practice of PPI.
• Prepare spending plans and report on spend against budget where budgets have been secured.

Human Resources

• Be responsible for the recruitment and selection, appraisal and development of any immediately more junior members of staff that may be appointed.

• BHSCT JD / October 2021 Page 3 of 8

• Be responsible for agreeing the work-plan of and for the supervision of any more junior PPI staff that may be appointed.
• Review individually, at least annually, the performance of staff who may report to him/her and provide guidance on personal development requirements and advise on and initiate further training where appropriate.
• Delegate responsibility and authority to staff within his/her control, consistent with effective decision making while retaining overall responsibility and accountability for results.
• Maintain staff relationships and morale among staff reporting to him/her.
• Take such action as may be necessary in disciplinary matters in accordance with the procedures laid down and approved by Belfast Trust.
• Ensure Belfast Trust policies are adhered to by all staff reporting to him/her and take appropriate action when such policies are breached.
• Apply Belfast policies in relation to staffing issues as laid down in the staff handbook.