Peer Support Worker

Job responsibilities

As a pivotal and highly valued member of the team, peer support workers will have a case load of identified patients who they will work with on both an individual basis and by delivering group interventions, working in collaboration with the wider multi-disciplinary team.

This formalised peer support will allow the post holder to provide a safe space for individuals to talk and make sense of their experiences whilst sharing wisdom from their own recovery to inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible.

They will promote choice, self-determination and opportunities and assist the individual to set and achieve their own unique recovery goals and recognising that each individuals recovery is a distinctive and deeply personal process.

Their work may also involve providing practical assistance such as encouraging healthy lifestyles, helping individuals to build confidence, and offering information, advice and support to form connections within their local community resources.

Peer support workers will support individuals to co-produce their care plan with members of the wider multi-disciplinary team and contribute to the overall team management of complex clinical and risk presentations. They will champion recovery and work closely with all members of the team to add to the quality of recovery orientated care and treatment. Peer support workers will work as an advocate to amplify the voices of those who use services to ensure that their experiences and are understood and reflected in the clinical work and ongoing development of the service.

The post holder will challenge any stigma which may exist, be able to demonstrate initiative and have the ability to work independently within the limits of their competencies.

Qualifications & training

Essential

• Own personal experience of accessing secondary mental health services
• English language literacy and numeracy skills to the standard necessary to provide clear, understandable records on computerised system and fulfil job description.
• Health Education England Peer Support Work training or equivalent experience and willingness to complete this

Desirable

• Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings (statutory or voluntary).

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience of offering formal/informal peer support to people who are navigating recovery / experiencing mental illness from a range of different backgrounds and cultures
• Experience of working independently and as a part of a team (paid or voluntary)
• Experience of using own history in a boundaried approach to support others in similar situations.

Desirable

• Previous experience of being in a peer support role (paid or voluntary)
• Previous experience of being involved in involvement, engagement and co-production opportunities.
• Previous experience of facilitating or taking part in peer support groups or settings

Skills, knowledge & abilities

Essential

• Basic knowledge of the principles of peer support
• Knowledge of recovery focused ways of working and ability to demonstrate these in practice
• To take a compassionate approach in all that you do
• Understanding the challenges which co-exist alongside common mental health illnesses
• Understanding of a strengths-based approach to reframe challenges as opportunities for finding new solutions.
• Commitment to modelling recovery principles in own wellbeing
• Ability to challenge any stigma and discrimination which may exist
• Ability to positively share your own experience of mental ill health and recovery with the people you work with
• Able to relate to a wide range of people, with excellent interpersonal and team working skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to facilitate small groups.
• Ability to contribute to the co-production and co-delivery of training
• Using self-awareness and reflection during dedicated supervision time to ensure professional development
• Ability to adopt a flexible and creative approach to working with individuals
• Good time management skills and ability to manage own caseload with guidance from senior colleagues
• Recognise the importance of confidentiality
• Ability to understand and evaluate risk to maintain safety
• Standard knowledge of IT systems, proficient in Microsoft applications

Desirable

• A basic understanding of coproduction and community asset development
• Understanding of personal values and beliefs

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Honest, trustworthy and reliable
• Empathetic and non-judgement approach
• Understand the scope and limitations of role
• Ability to work under pressure
• Professional in appearance and behaviour
• Uphold Trust Values
• Ability to travel independently across the geographical patch to meet the needs of the service

Desirable

• Passion for partnership working, engagement and involvement

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).