Job summary
The Primary Care Mental Health Service works closely with GPs to promote early assessment, treatment and/or onward referral in the community. We support individuals to focus on achievable goals and to access local community resources, to help the individual manage their mental health more effectively.
We are looking to recruit a new Peer Support Worker to join our Recovery Coach Team. Peer Support Workers have their own experiences of mental health challenges and will have accessed health services themselves.
You will receive professional development in the form of regular supervision, attendance at peer professional days and training opportunities
Please note completion of an accredited Peer Education Programme (PEP) is a requirement of this role. Should you have relevant experience within Peer Support we may still be able to consider your application however appointment will be conditional subject to successful completion of an accredited Peer Support Worker course within 3 months of starting in role.
For someone who has accessed our team, becoming a peer support worker can be a logical progression within their recovery journey. Wanting to help support a peer find their hope, strength and opportunities is a common perspective and can benefit yourself, the team and the peer in countless ways.
However, we feel it is most appropriate for your recovery journey if you wait at least 6 months from being discharged before actively seeking employment in a team that supported you.
Main duties of the job
To work in a service that offers support and navigation for PCMHS service users and carers to access CPFT, third sector providers and community resources as the need dictates.
About us
Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health & social care organisation dedicated to providing high quality care with compassion to improve the health & wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting & empowering them to lead a fulfilling life.
Our clinical teams deliver many NHS services not only via inpatient and primary care setting but also with the community. These services include Children, Adult & Older Peoples mental health, Forensic & Specialist mental health, Learning Disabilities, Primary Care & Liaison psychiatry, Substance misuse, Social care, Research & Development.
To achieve our goal, we look to recruit high calibre candidates that share our vision & values. As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all sectors of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including disabled people & members of our BAME & LGBTQ+ communities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities.
As an integral & highly valued member of the multi-disciplinary team, the PSW will provide formalised peer support, to help peers regain control over their lives & their own unique recovery process.
They will provide a recovery focused approach to peers referred to the team, ensuring transition into the third sectors & community resources where appropriate.
Through sharing wisdom from own lived experience, to inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible in others. Within a relationship of mutuality, facilitate and support information sharing to promote choice, self-determination & opportunities for the fulfilment of socially valued roles and connection to local communities.
They will work to embed recovery values within the wider mental health system and community & act as an ambassador for the principals of recovery.
They will promote all opportunities for peer support and involvement in a variety of settings.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities.
As an integral & highly valued member of the multi-disciplinary team, the PSW will provide formalised peer support, to help peers regain control over their lives & their own unique recovery process.
They will provide a recovery focused approach to peers referred to the team, ensuring transition into the third sectors & community resources where appropriate.
Through sharing wisdom from own lived experience, to inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible in others. Within a relationship of mutuality, facilitate and support information sharing to promote choice, self-determination & opportunities for the fulfilment of socially valued roles and connection to local communities.
They will work to embed recovery values within the wider mental health system and community & act as an ambassador for the principals of recovery.
They will promote all opportunities for peer support and involvement in a variety of settings.
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- Level of educational attainment to NVQ 3 / AS Level or equivalent
- Completion of own Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) or whole life plan
- Completion of the Accredited Peer Support Worker Training
Desirable
- Related Health or Social Care qualification
- Willingness to undertake further training in line with the development of peer support
Experience
Essential
- Lived experience of mental health problems
- Wide range of life experiences to bring an enabling and positive view of opportunities for others.
- Experience of being in a supportive and enabling role
- Experience of working in a team or a group environment
- Experience of using a range of self-management or recovery tools and techniques
Desirable
- Psychiatric hospital admission
- Experience of working in the public / third sector
- Experience of training, teaching, coaching/mentoring others
- Experience of working across different organisational boundaries
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Excellent written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills
- Computer literate
- Willingness to learn the Trust's IT systems
- Able to relate to a wide range of people
- Professional in appearance and behaviour
- High level of self-awareness - ability to critically appraise own performance
- Willingness to support people with a range of needs to meet their recovery goals
- Ability to manage stress and to plan and prioritise workload
Desirable
- Presentation skills
- Computer literate in software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Internet Explorer, Outlook Express etc
Knowledge & Understanding
Essential
- Understanding and practical knowledge of recovery
- Understanding of the issues and concerns of mental health service users
- Knowledge of Mental Health Legislation
Other
Essential
- Must be able to travel to a range of locations
- Ability to transport / accompany peers to appropriate appointments
- A willingness to work flexibly through prior arrangement as the needs of the job dictate including unsocial hours and weekends between 07.00 21.00
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- Level of educational attainment to NVQ 3 / AS Level or equivalent
- Completion of own Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) or whole life plan
- Completion of the Accredited Peer Support Worker Training
Desirable
- Related Health or Social Care qualification
- Willingness to undertake further training in line with the development of peer support
Experience
Essential
- Lived experience of mental health problems
- Wide range of life experiences to bring an enabling and positive view of opportunities for others.
- Experience of being in a supportive and enabling role
- Experience of working in a team or a group environment
- Experience of using a range of self-management or recovery tools and techniques
Desirable
- Psychiatric hospital admission
- Experience of working in the public / third sector
- Experience of training, teaching, coaching/mentoring others
- Experience of working across different organisational boundaries
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Excellent written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills
- Computer literate
- Willingness to learn the Trust's IT systems
- Able to relate to a wide range of people
- Professional in appearance and behaviour
- High level of self-awareness - ability to critically appraise own performance
- Willingness to support people with a range of needs to meet their recovery goals
- Ability to manage stress and to plan and prioritise workload
Desirable
- Presentation skills
- Computer literate in software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Internet Explorer, Outlook Express etc
Knowledge & Understanding
Essential
- Understanding and practical knowledge of recovery
- Understanding of the issues and concerns of mental health service users
- Knowledge of Mental Health Legislation
Other
Essential
- Must be able to travel to a range of locations
- Ability to transport / accompany peers to appropriate appointments
- A willingness to work flexibly through prior arrangement as the needs of the job dictate including unsocial hours and weekends between 07.00 21.00
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
