Healthwatch Southwark gathers and champions the views of local users of health and social care services, in order to identify opportunities for improvement and to influence how providers deliver health and care services. Created by the Health and Social Care Act of 2012, Healthwatch Southwark, and other local Healthwatch around the country, are required to deliver 6 functions to fulfil our duty as the local consumer champion of health and social care. 

These functions are:

1.    Obtain the views of people about their needs for and experience of local health and social care services and make those views known to those involved in the commissioning and scrutiny of care services.

2.    Produce reports and make recommendations about how those services could or should be improved.

3.    Promote and support the involvement of people in the monitoring, commissioning and provision of local health and social care services.

4.    Provide information and advice to the public about accessing health and social care services    and choice in relation to those services. 

5. Make the views and experiences of people known to Healthwatch England helping it to carry out its role as national champion. 

6. Make recommendations to Healthwatch England and advise the Care Quality Commission to carry out special reviews or investigations into areas of concern.

To find out more about Healthwatch Southwark please visit: www.healthwatchsouthwark.org

Role Overview

The post holder will be responsible for delivering Healthwatch Southwark’s research and projects work, high quality data management, engagement design, analysis, and report-writing. They will help meaningfully investigate and clearly capture people’s needs, experiences and opinion, so that HWS can effectively drive improvements to health and social care services.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1.Plan and manage research/engagement projects that have been identified as key priority areas/concerns as highlighted by community and stakeholder insight.

2. Lead on designing surveys, topic guides and interview schedules in line with desired intelligence outcomes and good research practice.

3. Analyse and interpret data gathered from community insight, including both qualitative and quantitative analysis.

5. Lead on the production of quality evidence-based reports, presenting findings clearly and persuasively to broad audiences, and making recommendations for the improvement of health and care services.

6. Represent HWS at appropriate meetings and committees with local providers and commissioners. This will include presentation of reports and community insight to highlight concerns for the community and thereby influence decision making.

7. Support requests for information on health and social care services from all sections of the local population, signposting people to support to access services and resolve difficulties and supporting them to make informed choices.

8. To support the Community Engagement Officer with relevant community engagement activities i.e. events, workshops, visiting local groups to gather community feedback.

8. To promote and support the involvement of patients and service users in the design, provision and scrutiny of local health and care services (Relevant for all staff) .

9. As part of the HWS team, to act as critical friend to commissioners and providers of services to help bring about improvements.

Requirements to be successful in role:

1. Has experience of analysing data (qualitative & quantitative).

2. Has experience of writing reports.

3. Has knowledge of various Research Methods.

4. Has experience of managing research projects.

5. Has experience of supporting people with information and advice (face to face/ telephone).

6. Be able to work with a range of stakeholders and maintain successful partnership relations.

5. Has good communication and presentation skills.

6. Has an interest in improving health and care services for local people.

7. committed to work within a diverse community.

8. Strong team player.

10. Good at managing databases/online and social media platforms.