The Enhancing Healthcare Staff Competencies in Learning Disability and Autism project is a collaborative initiative between Kent and Medway Mental Health Trust (KMMH) and Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU), with a total budget of £50,000. The project aims to develop and deliver a comprehensive Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme to upskill qualified clinical staff in supporting people with learning disabilities and autism who access mental health services.
The Project Manager will provide strategic leadership and hands-on operational management across all three phases of the project lifecycle. This combines high-level governance and stakeholder coordination with direct involvement in consultation activities, masterclass delivery support, module development, and comprehensive evaluation. The Project Manager will ensure the project achieves its objectives within scope, timeline, and budget whilst maintaining the highest standards of quality and meaningful stakeholder engagement.
Duties and responsibilities
1. Project Governance and Strategic Leadership
• Establish and maintain effective project governance structures in collaboration with KMMH and CCCU leadership
• Chair regular Project Team meetings and manage project communication channels
• Provide strategic direction aligned with KMMH's values and organisational objectives
• Ensure effective decision-making processes and escalation procedures are in place• Report to the Project Governance Group on progress, risks, and key decisions
2. Project Planning and Coordination
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive project plan and GANTT chart covering all three project phases
• Coordinate activities across Phase 1 (Consultation & Needs Analysis), Phase 2 (Masterclasses & Report Writing), and Phase 3 (Module Design, Delivery & Simulation Development)
• Monitor progress against milestones and implement corrective actions where necessary
• Manage dependencies and critical path activities to ensure timely delivery
• Coordinate resource allocation across project phases and activities
3. Phase 1: Consultation and Needs Analysis (Operational Delivery)
Stakeholder Engagement Activities
• Co-design and facilitate consultation workshops with people with learning disabilities, autistic people, families, and carers
• Conduct focus groups with KMMH qualified staff across clinical services (EIP, Psychotherapy, Perinatal, CYP)
• Organise and attend consultation sessions with partner organisations including Kent Autistic Trust, LOUD, CBF, and KCHFT
• Develop accessible consultation materials and feedback tools in collaboration with Experts by Experience
Data Collection and Analysis
• Design and implement consultation data collection methods (surveys, interviews, focus groups)
• Collect and manage qualitative and quantitative data on workforce needs and confidence levels
• Conduct initial thematic analysis of consultation findings to identify training gaps
• Synthesise consultation data into actionable insights for masterclass and module design
• Prepare comprehensive consultation report with recommendations for Phase 2 delivery
4. Phase 2: Masterclasses and Gap Analysis (Operational Delivery)
Masterclass Coordination and Delivery Support
• Work with academic and clinical leads to develop masterclass content based on consultation findings
• Coordinate all logistical arrangements including venue booking, participant registration, and materials preparation
• Liaise with lecturers, clinical experts, and Experts by Experience to ensure co-produced delivery
• Attend masterclass sessions to provide operational support and observe delivery for evaluation purposes
• Manage participant communications, pre-session materials, and post-session follow-up
Evaluation and Gap Analysis
5. Phase 3: Module Design, Delivery and Simulation (Operational Support)
Module Development Support
• Work collaboratively with module designers to translate gap analysis findings into learning outcomes
• Ensure module content aligns with Core Capabilities Frameworks and Oliver McGowan Training standards
• Coordinate module validation processes and documentation requirements
• Support the design of assessments that maximise impact on practice (as per module assessment design principles)
Skills and experience
Essential Criteria - Expanded to reflect operational delivery:
1. Project Management Experience - traditional PM skills
2. Stakeholder Engagement and Co-production - facilitating workshops, meaningful engagement with people with lived experience, co-production approaches
3. Education and Training Development - coordinating logistics, supporting curriculum development
4. Evaluation and Research - designing frameworks, qualitative data collection, thematic analysis, quantitative data analysis
Skills:
1. Project Management and Organisation - planning, GANTT charts, time management
2. Communication and Interpersonal Skills - communicating with diverse groups including people with LD/autism, facilitation, active listening
3. Analytical and Technical Skills - data collection and analysis (qualitative and quantitative), IT proficiency
4. Working Style - balancing strategic and hands-on work
Desirable Criteria - Enhanced with operational focus:
1. Learning Disability and Autism - Oliver McGowan Training, Core Capabilities, working with Experts by Experience
2. NHS and Healthcare System - NHS governance, mental health services, Kent and Medway system knowledge
3. Higher Education - programme validation, simulation education, Masters-level assessment design
4. Research and Evaluation - mixed-methods, SROI, participatory research, ethics approval, dissemination
5. Additional Skills - specialist PM software, accessible materials, knowledge mobilisation
Location
CCCU Canterbury campus and KMMH sites
Benefits
The Project Manager will have flexibility to work remotely with regular attendance required at CCCU Canterbury campus and KMMH sites for consultation sessions, masterclasses, stakeholder meetings, focus groups, and other engagement activities.