Job summary
We are excited to offer two Young Adult Peer Support Worker (YA PSW) roles for people who have personal lived experience of mental health difficulties during their adolescence years or early adulthood. This role is also open to individuals who have been in local authority care. These Role will be based in Hillingdon and Harrow CNWL services (please note one role is full time and the part time 4 days a week)
As a YA PSW, you will use your own experience to support young adults' aged 16-25 who are accessing Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) or making the transition to Adult Mental Health Services.
- Inspire hope in young people (aged 16-25) who are receiving support through CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) or transitioning to Adult Mental Health Services.
- Work 1:1 and in groups with young adults to support them in their recovery and personal goals.
- Share experiences in a way that respects their uniqueness, and helps them feel understood and empowered.
The two successful candidates will work either in Harrow or Hillingdon, and contribute to the trust wide young adult transformation plan. and be part ofthe new CNWL Discovery college offer (Discover Together).
Essential Requirement: To apply for this role, you must have personal lived experience of mental health challenges during adolescence or young adulthood, and have made progress in your own recovery journey.
Main duties of the job
Responsibilities - Young Adult Peer Support Worker
As a Young Adult Peer Support Worker, you will use your own experiences of mental health and recovery to support other young adults. Your role is to offer hope, guidance, and practical help as they access CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) or move into adult mental health services.
Working with the Team and Young Adults
- Work alongside the mental health team to support young adults in CAMHS transitioning to adult services.
- Help young adults create and follow their own recovery plans, either one-to-one or in group settings.
- Support young adults to discover their strengths, interests, and goals for the future.
- Encourage young adults to take the lead in their recovery, while also working with their families/carers and the wider care team.
- Help young adults feel confident as they move through or leave CAMHS.
- Use your own experience of moving from CAMHS to adult services to support others during this transition and ensure they are fully informed along the way.
Discovery college:
- support the delivery of the CNWL discovery college (Discovery together )
- co-produce recovery focused workshops deigned for young adult 16-25
- co-deliver workshop with course expertise to young adults within CNWL local community
- Work as a member of the peer support team to ensure we included young adult voice in the development of the discovery college.
About us
As a Peer Support Worker in the Young Adult Team at CNWL NHS Trust, you will work within a supportive and collaborative multidisciplinary team (MDT) that bridges Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and Adult Mental Health Services.
Key aspects of our team working:
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Integrated MDT approachWork alongside a range of professionals from both CAMHS and adult services.
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Cross-service collaboration
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Young adult-focused care
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Support young people typically aged 16-25 through periods of significant change
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Help ensure continuity, consistency, and a person-centred approach to care
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Value of lived experience
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Young Adult pathway Team cu
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Emphasis on open communication, shared learning, and mutual respect
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A strong focus on co-production and working in partnership with young people
Job description
Job responsibilities
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Providing Peer Support and Hope
- Support young adults in understanding their mental and emotional health and what recovery means for them personally.
- Share your own recovery journey in a respectful and helpful way, showing that recovery is possible.
- Be a positive role model, demonstrating coping skills and offering hope through your lived experience.
Involvement in Care Planning
- Take part in creating, reviewing, and updating care plans with the young adult and the care team.
- Help young adults and their carers actively participate in planning their support and setting goals.
- Support young adults with everyday challenges like looking after themselves, attending education or training, or joining in leisure activities.
Encouraging Community and Social Connections
- Help young adults stay connected to their communities, education, and hobbies by knowing whats available and supporting them to get involved.
- Support the running of group sessions or peer-led activities that promote learning, recovery, and connection
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#Be committed to professional development through independent learning, keeping up to date with the latest research, and building connections with local and national peer networks.
Job description
Job responsibilities
-
Providing Peer Support and Hope
- Support young adults in understanding their mental and emotional health and what recovery means for them personally.
- Share your own recovery journey in a respectful and helpful way, showing that recovery is possible.
- Be a positive role model, demonstrating coping skills and offering hope through your lived experience.
Involvement in Care Planning
- Take part in creating, reviewing, and updating care plans with the young adult and the care team.
- Help young adults and their carers actively participate in planning their support and setting goals.
- Support young adults with everyday challenges like looking after themselves, attending education or training, or joining in leisure activities.
Encouraging Community and Social Connections
- Help young adults stay connected to their communities, education, and hobbies by knowing whats available and supporting them to get involved.
- Support the running of group sessions or peer-led activities that promote learning, recovery, and connection
-
#Be committed to professional development through independent learning, keeping up to date with the latest research, and building connections with local and national peer networks.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- -Personal lived experience of recovery from mental health challenges as a young person
- -Personal experience with mental health/social care during adolescence
- -Experience in health/social care or service participation groups (paid or unpaid)
- -Willing to share lived experience with young people and families
- -Experience supporting others with personal goals in a related setting
Desirable
- - Peer Support Worker experience (paid/unpaid)
- -Experience working with children and young people (paid/unpaid)
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
Essential
- -Experiential knowledge of recovery
- -Understanding of personal recovery for others
- -Strong interpersonal and peer relationship skills
- -Ability to empathise, show compassion, be non-judgmental
- -Knowledge of building community links
- -Understanding of youth mental health issues
- practical support with daily living activities
Desirable
- -Awareness of local services
- -Understanding of mental health in young people
- -Ability to speak other languages
Qualifications
Essential
- -Commitment to undertake mandatory training and work-based learning
- -Willingness to undertake or already completed Level 4 LSBU-accredited course: "Developing Expertise in Peer Support"
Desirable
- - certificate in Life Coaching
- -Accredited Peer Support Worker training
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- -Personal lived experience of recovery from mental health challenges as a young person
- -Personal experience with mental health/social care during adolescence
- -Experience in health/social care or service participation groups (paid or unpaid)
- -Willing to share lived experience with young people and families
- -Experience supporting others with personal goals in a related setting
Desirable
- - Peer Support Worker experience (paid/unpaid)
- -Experience working with children and young people (paid/unpaid)
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
Essential
- -Experiential knowledge of recovery
- -Understanding of personal recovery for others
- -Strong interpersonal and peer relationship skills
- -Ability to empathise, show compassion, be non-judgmental
- -Knowledge of building community links
- -Understanding of youth mental health issues
- practical support with daily living activities
Desirable
- -Awareness of local services
- -Understanding of mental health in young people
- -Ability to speak other languages
Qualifications
Essential
- -Commitment to undertake mandatory training and work-based learning
- -Willingness to undertake or already completed Level 4 LSBU-accredited course: "Developing Expertise in Peer Support"
Desirable
- - certificate in Life Coaching
- -Accredited Peer Support Worker training
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).
Employer details
Employer name
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Hillingdon / Harrow
322 - 326 Northolt Road South Harrow/ Avondale Drive Hayes Middlesex/ Westminster
London
HA2 8EQ
Employer's website
https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/work (Opens in a new tab)
