Innovate UK jobs in Swindon SN1

Application Deadline is 9am 3rd August 2026

IMPORTANT: Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive sufficient suitable applications.

Expected start date September 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter)

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

About the Discovery College

We’re a small youth mental health charity with big ideas, drawing from the international Discovery College model to create something new and innovative. We support children and young people with their mental health and wellbeing by helping them to learn about what’s happening to them. They share experiences, develop skills and tools to stay well, and we support the adults around them to better understand too.

We’re all about peer learning – nothing clinical, no talking therapies – just exploring and finding ways to manage together. All of our programmes are co-produced, meaning they are designed and delivered by people with both professional expertise and lived experience of mental health challenges or in caring roles.

About the role

As our Lead Facilitator, you’ll play a key role in delivering our programmes and bringing vital mental health support to children and young people. You will be responsible for recruiting participants, delivering sessions, and compiling evaluation data. Where a need is identified, there may also be opportunities to co-produce new, interactive and engaging programme content.

You will be responsible for the day-to-day coordination, support and development of volunteer facilitators involved in programme delivery, working within existing organisational policies and with oversight from the CEO.

Lived experience

Oxfordshire Discovery College values the expertise that comes from lived experience of mental health challenges. Where appropriate and if they feel comfortable, the postholder may draw on relevant lived experience as part of co-production and facilitation. There is no expectation to disclose personal experiences, and appropriate support and supervision will be provided.

Why work for us?

We’re at a pivotal time as an organisation, and this role plays a crucial part in shaping our future development. If you want to innovate and create meaningful change, this is the place to be. We offer a contributory pension scheme, regular supervision, and a friendly, supportive team. Oxfordshire Discovery College is committed to 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.

Person Specification

We’re looking for a Lead Programme Facilitator & Volunteer Manager who can work effectively within a team of freelance and volunteer facilitators. The postholder will bring professional expertise in a relevant field (such as youth work, clinical or therapeutic practice) and may also bring lived experience of youth mental health challenges, either personally or as a parent/carer.

Specifics of the role:

• 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.

Essential Criteria

• 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.
• Good computer literacy
• 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

Desirable Criteria

• 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

The role includes delivery at various locations across Oxfordshire, with a current office location in Didcot. You will need to be able to commute around Oxfordshire as required for delivery and therefore a valid driving licence and access to a vehicle are necessary.

Some flexibility may be required to support the delivery of 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.

If you’d like to discuss the role before applying, please email

This job description may change over time in line with the needs of the organisation, subject to discussion with the postholder.

Application Deadline is 9am 29th Jan3rd August 2026

IMPORTANT: Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive sufficient suitable applications.

Expected start date September 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter)

Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term contract

Pay: £27,694.00-£30,024.00 per year

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Didcot OX11 7NN