Job summary
We are seeking a half time Senior Peer Support Worker to join the Hub for Advancing Research in Psychosis (HARP) clinical research group. The post-holder will deliver a new six-month guided online programme for the treatment of persecutory delusions: Feeling Safer.
The role of the Peer Support Worker is to engage individuals with psychosis and deliver this specialist psychological intervention (Feeling Safer) with close supervision from a clinical psychologist; working within NHS services; and researchers.
This role is based at St Nicholas Hospital in Gosforth although covers the whole of trust and travel will be required.
We are looking for a Senior Peer Supporter who has experience of working in mental health services and who utilize their own personal lived experience of recovery and mental health challenges, or that of caring for another, through sharing your own experience, establishing mutual connection based on this and most importantly being able to offer and inspire hope for others.
Main duties of the job
We are seeking a Peer Support Worker to join the Hub for Advancing Research in Psychosis (HARP) clinical research group. The postholder will deliver a new six-month guided online programme for the treatment of persecutory delusions: Feeling Safer. It is an accessible and expanded version of the face to-face therapy called Feeling Safe. Users can access Feeling Safer whenever they choose via smartphone/computer/or tablet. A range of mental health workers can support the delivery of the treatment over six months. Six face-to-face sessions will be reserved for a key task: going out with person into everyday situations to relearn safety.
The Feeling Safer trial will now test the intervention in NHS mental health services at six sites across England. We will recruit about 80 people here in the North East. Participants will be randomised to one of four conditions; (1) Feeling Safer in addition to treatment as usual, supported by peer support workers, (2) Feeling Safer in addition to treatment as usual, supported by graduate mental health workers, (3) Feeling Safer in addition to treatment as usual, supported by a clinical psychologist providing CBT therapy, (4) treatment as usual.
The post holder will work within the policies, procedures, and guidelines for the Trust. Although based at St Nicholas in Gosforth, you are likely to travel throughout the Trust which would be facilitated by having a valid driving licence and access to own or other independent means of transport.
About us
We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.
As an employee of CNTW, the well-being of all of our staff is vitally important. You will have several avenues of support but should also feel confident in your own personal skills and abilities to draw upon your own resilience's and strengths to sustain well-being throughout this role.
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) value the vital role that a Peer Supporter provides in continuing to develop and improve the quality of service that Service Users and Carers receive.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date : 22nd May 2025
Closing date : 5th June 2025
We welcome your application.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date : 22nd May 2025
Closing date : 5th June 2025
We welcome your application.
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- Good level of secondary education for maths and English at GCSE or equivalent level
- Commitment to work towards NVQ3 in health and social care
Desirable
- Completion of Peer Support Specialist Training or other similar peer support training
- Completion of Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) training
- Completion of WRAP Educator training
- Experience/training in psychological therapies
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Personal lived experience of recovery from mental health problems
- Experience of being in a peer support role
Desirable
- Experience of a person-centred approach
- Experience of working in the mental health field
- Experience of providing or receiving psychological therapy
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- Understanding of personal values and beliefs
- Good interpersonal and team-working skills
- Ability to share personal story of recovery in a professional manner
- Ability to assist people to develop recovery plans (including determining 'problems', identifying 'goals' and setting objectives)
- Ability and willingness to reflect on work practice and be open to constructive feedback
- Ability to work in an enabling and creative way
- Ability to manage stress and to plan and prioritise workload
Desirable
- Experience of WRAP or other recovery / person-centred planning tools
- Knowledge of how the mental health and other health and social care systems operate
- Understanding of issues affecting mental health and well-being
- Interest in or experience of research in the NHS
Role/Team specific requirements
Essential
- Maturity, integrity, sense of humour, sensitivity, patience, energy / drive, enthusiasm, flexibility, reliability, non-judgemental, tolerant, and respectful
Personal Characteristics
Essential
- Commitment to putting recovery values and principles into practice
- Belief that people can and do recover
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Where applicable, ability to meet the mobility requirements of the post
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- Good level of secondary education for maths and English at GCSE or equivalent level
- Commitment to work towards NVQ3 in health and social care
Desirable
- Completion of Peer Support Specialist Training or other similar peer support training
- Completion of Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) training
- Completion of WRAP Educator training
- Experience/training in psychological therapies
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Personal lived experience of recovery from mental health problems
- Experience of being in a peer support role
Desirable
- Experience of a person-centred approach
- Experience of working in the mental health field
- Experience of providing or receiving psychological therapy
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- Understanding of personal values and beliefs
- Good interpersonal and team-working skills
- Ability to share personal story of recovery in a professional manner
- Ability to assist people to develop recovery plans (including determining 'problems', identifying 'goals' and setting objectives)
- Ability and willingness to reflect on work practice and be open to constructive feedback
- Ability to work in an enabling and creative way
- Ability to manage stress and to plan and prioritise workload
Desirable
- Experience of WRAP or other recovery / person-centred planning tools
- Knowledge of how the mental health and other health and social care systems operate
- Understanding of issues affecting mental health and well-being
- Interest in or experience of research in the NHS
Role/Team specific requirements
Essential
- Maturity, integrity, sense of humour, sensitivity, patience, energy / drive, enthusiasm, flexibility, reliability, non-judgemental, tolerant, and respectful
Personal Characteristics
Essential
- Commitment to putting recovery values and principles into practice
- Belief that people can and do recover
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Where applicable, ability to meet the mobility requirements of the post
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.
