Peer Support Worker

Job responsibilities

5. MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

5.1Responsibility for People Management

To be involved in the continued development of the PSW training programme and in the ongoing evaluation of the PWP role.

To participate in and support students learning along with other members of the team.

5.2Responsibility for financial and/or physical resources

The post holder will have no direct responsibility for finance; however they will adhere to relevant LWSW policies on financial issues.

The post holder will use Livewell resources in a sustainable way.

To have a knowledge and understanding of counter fraud.

5.3Responsibility for administration

To plan own diary and maintain accurate records of all activity

Maintain up to date electronic records in a timely and accurate manner

Maintain confidentiality of information being aware of LWSW policies and local protocols and keeping up-to-date with changes.

To regularly access email and other information through Livewell SouthWest Intranet.

5.4Responsibility for people who use our services

The PSW will work with a number of service users on a 1:1 or group basis

The post holder will form and maintain supportive relationships with service users

The post holder will promote better mental health by acting as a suitable role model.

The post holder will accompany service users to appointments with agencies across the pathway, CMHT, Third sector agencies and PCMHT to undertake a number of practical tasks, aligned to recovery goals.

To attend meetings and other formal/informal communication events linked to the work of the team, as directed by team manager.

To liaise appropriately with other agencies as part of supporting the delivery of care.

The post holder will share ideas about ways of achieving recovery goals, drawing on personal experience and a range of coping, self-help and self-management techniques.

To assist others to create their own recovery plans, make and record advanced decisions.

To support patients to identify and overcome fears within a relationship of empathy and trust.

To model personal responsibility, self-awareness, self-belief, self-advocacy and hopefulness.

To monitor mental health of service users and report changes to qualified staff so that the care plan can be kept fully up to date. Be aware of fluctuations in mental health.

To work with service users and carers to work towards recovery.

Encourage social/physical activities as identified within the care plan.

Promote independence and recovery

Be able to respond effectively to any concerns of abuse and know procedures they need to follow to escalate their concerns.

To participate in, support and maintain positive interventions and planned activity programmes to improve the persons quality of life. To record contacts, interventions and observations on the electronic record systems.

5.5Responsibility for implementation of policy and/or service developments

To abide by the PSW code of conduct ,so that the central focus of work, inspiring recover, is not compromised in any way.

To comply with Livewell southwest policies and procedures relevant to the role.

To report any observed incident of unprofessional behaviour, accidents/incidents, untoward occurrences or faulty equipment.

To participate professionally in service development and propsed service changes

To take part in any audit processes as required.

Comply with universal infection control precautions and procedures.

To complete all Mandatory training and other training pertinent to the role, as agreed by line manager.

5.6Other Responsibilities

The post holder will be aware of and work within their own limits, and competencies

Be punctual for work and conduct themselves in a professional manner in accordance with Livewell policies

6. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS

The post holder will sign-post to various resources, opportunities and activities within LWSW and third sector agencies

To act as an ambassador for Livewell with external agencies and partner organisations.

To support the team in promoting a recovery orientated environment by identifying recovery focused activities and imparting information and education as required.

7. PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB

The post holder must be able move across Plymouth as part of their community work,

The post holder will be competent in computer skills

Experience

Essential

• Lived experience of using mental health services
• Previous care experience with people who have mental health difficulties.

Desirable

• Previous experience working in a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience of actively supporting individuals to identify and work towards achieving personal goals in a related social care or health setting (paid or unpaid).

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of mental health
• Awareness of safeguarding principles
• Basic IT skills
• Good communication and listening skills
• Organisational skills
• Problem solving skills
• An awareness to maintain professional Boundaries
• Awareness of own limits and boundaries in relation to own job role
• Good written communication
• Willingness to positively share your own life experiences, personal experiences of your own ill health with service users and carers.
• Ability to problem solve and create innovative solutions to help empower service users.
• Sensitive understanding of diversity issues and ability to promote anti-discriminatory practice/ equal opportunities
• Resilience

Desirable

• A basic understanding of physical health presentation

Specific Skills

Essential

• Ability to manage time and plan work.
• To complete clinical records
• To take leadership and direction from qualified staff
• To participate in unsupervised tasks and provide accurate feedback to relevant parties.
• Ability to work in a team effectively

Additional Requirements

Essential

• To be able to mobilise across Plymouth throughout the working day.

Qualifications

Essential

• Vocational Qualification Level III or equivalent qualification/skills/knowledge and ability to work to this level.
• To complete the NCFE level 2 in understanding and supporting people with mental health needs and complete care certificate within the first 6 months of joining unless already obtained.

Desirable

• QCF level 3 in health and social care or equivalent qualification/skills/knowledge and ability to work to this level.
• Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).