Maternity Cover Public Health Practitioner – Inclusion Health Jobs in Northampton, UK 2026 | £49,587–£52,860 Salary, Benefits, Requirements & How to Apply

Are you an experienced public health professional looking to make a meaningful impact in local communities? West Northamptonshire Council is recruiting a Maternity Cover Public Health Practitioner – Inclusion Health for a one-year fixed-term contract based in Northampton, England.

With an annual salary ranging from £49,587 to £52,860, this opportunity is ideal for professionals who have experience delivering public health programmes, reducing health inequalities, and working with vulnerable communities. The role focuses on some of today’s most important public health priorities, including mental health promotion, suicide prevention, workplace wellbeing, violence reduction, and Inclusion Health. If you’re passionate about improving population health through evidence-based interventions and collaborative working, this position offers the opportunity to contribute to programmes that can have a lasting impact across Northamptonshire.

Job Highlights

Category Details
Job Title Maternity Cover Public Health Practitioner – Inclusion Health
Company West Northamptonshire Council
Location Northampton, England, United Kingdom
Employment Type One-Year Fixed-Term (Maternity Cover)
Work Arrangement On-site / Community-Based
Salary £49,587–£52,860 per year
Experience Required Minimum two years of practical public health experience
Industry Public Health / Local Government
Status Applications Open

Why Consider This Public Health Practitioner Opportunity?

Public health careers offer the opportunity to improve the wellbeing of entire communities rather than focusing solely on individual patients. Professionals in these roles work to prevent illness, reduce inequalities, and develop programmes that create healthier environments for people of all ages.

This opportunity with West Northamptonshire Council is particularly attractive because it combines strategic leadership with practical community engagement. You’ll work alongside local authorities, NHS partners, community organisations, and other agencies to address complex public health challenges affecting local residents.

This role may be an excellent fit if you are looking for:

  • A senior-level public health position with meaningful community impact.
  • Competitive local government pay.
  • Experience leading high-profile public health programmes.
  • Opportunities to work with multi-agency partnerships.
  • A role focused on mental health, wellbeing, and health equity.
  • Professional development within local government.
  • The chance to influence long-term public health outcomes.

Public health practitioners often develop transferable skills in leadership, programme management, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning, making this valuable experience for future senior public health and local government roles.

Job Overview

West Northamptonshire Council is seeking an experienced Public Health Practitioner to provide maternity cover while leading key Inclusion Health programmes across the region.

The successful candidate will oversee projects linked to public mental health, suicide prevention, workplace wellbeing, reducing health inequalities, and supporting vulnerable populations. The role also includes operational leadership responsibilities within the Violence Reduction Unit and collaboration with Community Safety Partnership initiatives.

Strong partnership working, project management, and communication skills are essential, as you’ll work with multiple organisations to deliver evidence-based public health programmes that improve community wellbeing.

What Does a Typical Workday Look Like?

Every day can involve a combination of strategic planning, partnership meetings, programme management, and community engagement.

A typical day may include:

  • Reviewing progress on public health projects.
  • Meeting with NHS and local authority partners.
  • Coordinating mental health and wellbeing initiatives.
  • Supporting suicide prevention programmes.
  • Developing interventions for vulnerable communities.
  • Monitoring programme outcomes and performance.
  • Preparing reports and recommendations for stakeholders.
  • Leading partnership meetings.
  • Supporting violence reduction and community safety initiatives.
  • Identifying opportunities to reduce health inequalities.

The role requires balancing office-based planning with collaborative work involving external organisations and community partners.

About West Northamptonshire Council

West Northamptonshire Council delivers a wide range of local government services designed to improve the quality of life for residents across the region.

The Council is committed to innovation, inclusion, and collaboration while supporting programmes that promote healthier communities and reduce inequalities. Employees work alongside NHS organisations, voluntary groups, educational institutions, and local agencies to deliver services that improve long-term public health outcomes.

The Council also promotes professional development, employee wellbeing, and collaborative working across departments.

Public Health Practitioner Responsibilities

The successful candidate may be responsible for:

  • Delivering public mental health initiatives.
  • Supporting suicide prevention programmes.
  • Leading Inclusion Health projects.
  • Coordinating workplace wellbeing initiatives.
  • Developing interventions for vulnerable communities.
  • Reducing health inequalities across Northamptonshire.
  • Providing operational leadership for the Violence Reduction Unit.
  • Supporting Community Safety Partnership activities.
  • Working collaboratively with NHS partners and community organisations.
  • Promoting trauma-informed public health approaches.
  • Monitoring programme outcomes and performance.
  • Ensuring statutory public health responsibilities are met.

Requirements

Applicants should have:

Essential Requirements

  • At least two years of practical public health experience.
  • Experience delivering public mental health programmes.
  • Knowledge of the Serious Violence Duty.
  • Strong partnership working skills.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
  • Experience managing multiple public health projects.
  • Strong organisational and leadership skills.
  • Ability to work with minimal supervision.
  • Commitment to reducing health inequalities.
  • Legal right to work in the United Kingdom.

Desirable Qualities

  • Experience working across multi-agency partnerships.
  • Confidence leading strategic public health programmes.
  • Experience supporting community safety initiatives.

Salary and Earnings Information

This Public Health Practitioner position offers an annual salary of:

£49,587–£52,860 per year

The salary reflects the senior level of responsibility involved in leading public health programmes and working across multiple partner organisations.

The employer has not provided information regarding:

  • Weekly working hours.
  • Overtime.
  • Bonus payments.
  • Hybrid working arrangements.

Alongside salary, employees may also benefit from the wider employment package offered by West Northamptonshire Council.

Benefits and Advantages

Employees may receive benefits including:

Financial Benefits

  • Competitive local government salary.
  • Local Government Pension Scheme.

Career Development

  • Professional development opportunities.
  • Career development programmes.
  • Experience leading strategic public health initiatives.

Workplace Benefits

  • Inclusive and supportive working environment.
  • Flexible and collaborative workplace culture.
  • Employee wellbeing initiatives.

The employer has not provided further details regarding annual leave or additional financial allowances.

Can International Applicants Apply?

No visa sponsorship is available for this role.

West Northamptonshire Council states that applicants must already have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom, as the position is not eligible for sponsorship.

International candidates who require employer-sponsored work authorization would therefore not be eligible unless they already have an appropriate right to work under UK immigration rules.

Work Environment

This role involves working across public health, local government, and community settings while collaborating with a wide range of organisations.

The working environment includes:

  • Local authority teams.
  • NHS partner organisations.
  • Community organisations.
  • Multi-agency partnership meetings.
  • Strategic programme planning.
  • Community health initiatives.

The position combines leadership responsibilities with collaborative working aimed at improving health outcomes for local communities.

Who Is This Public Health Practitioner Job Best For?

This opportunity may be suitable for:

  • ✔ Experienced Public Health Practitioners.
  • ✔ Public health professionals with mental health experience.
  • ✔ Community health specialists.
  • ✔ Professionals experienced in partnership working.
  • ✔ Candidates passionate about reducing health inequalities.
  • ✔ Project managers within public health.
  • ✔ Individuals seeking local government careers.
  • ✔ Professionals interested in strategic public health leadership.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does this Public Health Practitioner job pay?

The advertised salary ranges from £49,587 to £52,860 per year.

Is this a permanent position?

No. This is a one-year fixed-term maternity cover contract.

Is visa sponsorship available?

No. The employer has confirmed that this role is not eligible for sponsorship.

What experience is required?

Applicants should have at least two years of practical public health experience, particularly in public mental health and related programmes.

What areas will I work on?

The role includes mental health promotion, suicide prevention, Inclusion Health, workplace wellbeing, reducing health inequalities, and violence reduction initiatives.

Will I work with other organisations?

Yes. The role involves extensive partnership working with NHS organisations, community groups, and other local agencies.

Are working hours specified?

No. The employer has not provided details of the weekly hours or working pattern.

When are interviews expected?

According to the vacancy, interviews are expected during the week commencing 6 July 2026.

Can applications close early?

Yes. West Northamptonshire Council may close the vacancy before the advertised deadline if sufficient suitable applications are received.

What documents should I prepare?

Prepare an up-to-date CV highlighting your public health experience, leadership skills, partnership working, project management achievements, and experience delivering community health programmes.

Application Tips

Before applying:

  • Tailor your CV to highlight relevant public health experience.
  • Include examples of delivering mental health or wellbeing programmes.
  • Demonstrate your experience reducing health inequalities.
  • Showcase leadership and project management achievements.
  • Highlight successful partnership working with NHS or community organisations.
  • Include measurable outcomes where possible.
  • Proofread your application before submission.
  • Apply early, as the vacancy may close ahead of schedule.

A strong application should demonstrate strategic thinking, leadership, collaboration, and a commitment to improving public health outcomes.

How to Apply

If this Maternity Cover Public Health Practitioner – Inclusion Health opportunity matches your experience and career goals, complete the online application and submit an up-to-date CV highlighting your public health expertise, leadership experience, partnership working, and achievements in delivering community health programmes.

Because West Northamptonshire Council may close applications early if a high number of suitable candidates apply, submitting your application as soon as possible is recommended.

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Browsing similar positions can help you compare responsibilities, salary ranges, and career progression opportunities before deciding on your next move.

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