Job Description

Are you passionate about enabling children and young people to have the best start in life, improving population health, and addressing health inequalities in our communities? Do you thrive when working in collaboration with others? If so, then we want you to be a part of our dynamic team in Public Health!



An exciting 14-month fixed term opportunity (maternity cover) has arisen within Public Health (Adult Social Care and Health) to work as a Health Improvement Specialist in the Mental Health and Best Start team.



Through this job opportunity you will provide specialist health improvement expertise - focused on children, families and schools - to enable improved health and wellbeing outcomes across East Sussex.



Working closely with colleagues across Children's Services, education and early years settings, the NHS, other statutory partners and the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector, you'll provide leadership, advice and guidance to support the delivery of health improvement strategies, interventions and services.



The role will involve managing and/or developing important local initiatives to protect and improve children's and families' health and wellbeing including:


HALO (Healthy Active Little Ones) programme - supporting the health and wellbeing of children, staff and families through early years settings child accident prevention - working with Early Help services, the Child Home Safety Advice and Equipment service and others Healthy Schools programme and work to help develop schools' PSHE provision (including PSHE Hubs and our Theatre-in-Education support offer to schools) input to various health improvement approaches on topics such as oral health, healthy weight and mental health and emotional wellbeing.

We are looking for someone who:


has a strong interest in the following Public Health areas: children, schools and families. has experience of developing, delivering, and evaluating health improvement initiatives (including plans and strategies) across multi-agency environments has a track record of effective partnership working and engagement across organisations and sectors can think creatively, work to deadlines and manage a diverse workload.

Whilst, ideally, we are looking for a candidate who has understanding and experience of partnership working with children's services, education settings and health systems, we are open to people with less experience of these areas, as long as they are driven, passionate, hard-working and quick learners.



A hybrid working style has been assigned to this role, which allows work to be undertaken at home, as well as on site. The role will require in-person meetings at County Hall (Lewes) and occasional travel across East Sussex.



East Sussex is a wonderful place to live and work, boasting a vibrant coastline, unspoilt beautiful countryside and good connections to London and beyond from Newhaven and nearby Gatwick Airport.


Ready to make a difference?


For further details or an informal discussion, please email David Bishop , Health Improvement Principal or Emma King , Consultant in Public Health. The job description with person specification is attached.


To apply for this role please follow the 'Apply Now' button above and upload your CV with a cover letter, we will be using your cover letter to shortlist so be sure to explain how you meet the criteria in the Person Specification drawing on any relevant work/life experience, education or personal interests.


Please download the & Person Specification.


The closing date for applications is Sunday 27 July 2025.



Interviews are scheduled to take place in-person at County Hall, Lewes, on 14 August 2025. If you are unavailable on this date let us know and we may be able to schedule an alternative date for interview.



For putting my skills to good use