SEDS Peer Support Worker

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

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Job summary

Do you have lived experience of recovery from an eating disorder?

The Sussex Eating Disorder Service (SEDS) is developing an exciting new Inpatient Transition Pathway (ITP) to improve patient experience by minimising episodes of inpatient care and transforming transitions between community and inpatient services. The ITP will be based within SEDS, an outpatient service delivering NICE recommended treatments and aims to provide the best possible care to adults living with eating disorders.

The role of the Eating Disorders Peer Support Worker (PSW) has been developed specifically for people who have lived experience of recovery from an eating disorder(s) and have ideally accessed support through an eating disorders inpatient service in relation to this. The PSW will be a positive role model, demonstrating empathy and using parts of their own story to inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible in others.

As an integral and highly valued member of our multi-disciplinary team, the PSP will provide formalised peer support and practical assistance to service users, empowering them to regain control over their lives, building on a person's own abilities and individual strengths. They will also encourage and support service users to use community resources that are available to them and support the Eating Disorders Service with developing links with these resources.

Main duties of the job

Main responsibilities of the role:

To work with SEDS ITP colleagues with the aim of preventing admission to hospital and/or facilitate timely discharge home.

To model/mentor a recovery process and demonstrate coping skills, using own experience, using parts of your recovery story to inspire hope in others where appropriate

To actively contribute to multidisciplinary meetings and contribute to the shared formulation and ongoing treatment plans of clients.

Work alongside and communicate effectively with other members of the MDT and wider services.

To communicate effectively with family members and carers supporting a systemic approach to treatment and care plans.

To engage in co-production activities or projectsand co-produce / co-facilitate groups (where possible)

To work autonomously with the support of your line manager whilst being aware of limitations of own role.

To undertake any other such duties as may reasonably fall within the remit of the post, as required by the Manager/Supervisor

About us

We are committed to supporting staff well-being. We have close links with the local universities and support the training schemes, providing high quality student placements.

The trust is committed to strong integrated, collaborative leadership between managers and clinicians.

Your benefits:

Access to full psychological support, via our internal wellbeing team

Excellent supervision programmes, with ongoing opportunities for training and development

Access to a host of discount schemes

A position within a trust rated as 'Outstanding' for caring and 'Good' overall by the CQC

Excellent NHS Pension

Generous holiday entitlement (starting at 27 days + 8 bank holidays)

About the Trust:

We provide mental health and learning disability care for children, young people, and adults across Sussex. SPFT is rated 'good' overall and 'outstanding' for caring by CQC. In our staff survey:

82% agree that care for patients is our top priority

70% highlight flexible working opportunities as key to satisfaction at work

79% report feeling able to make improvement to improve the work within their team

77% identify opportunities to show initiative in their roles

About Sussex:

Sussex is easily accessible from London, Gatwick, Surrey, and Hampshire and is a beautiful county with good transport links, vibrant communities and tourist attractions, including the Coast and the South Downs.

Date posted

17 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year pro rata for part time

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Job share

Reference number

354-AC-21109-A

Job locations

SEDS, East Brighton Mental Health Centre, Brighton General Hospital

Elm Grove

Sussex

BN2 3EW

Job description

Job responsibilities

REQUIREMENTS

Successful applications will be required to have:

Lived experience of recovery from an eating disorder(s)

Experience of successfully managing personal mental health and recovery

Experience working as part of a team

Knowledge of Peer Support, Recovery and Wellbeing in mental health and ability to apply this throughout your work
Good level of secondary education to GCSE level, or equivalent experience
Level of educational attainment to NVQ 3 / AS Level or equivalent experience
Willingness to undertake further training relevant to and in line with the development of peer support role
To protect the health and safety of our staff/workers, patients, and those attending our sites, we encourage our workforce to get fully vaccinated against COVID.

Job description

Job responsibilities

REQUIREMENTS

Successful applications will be required to have:

Lived experience of recovery from an eating disorder(s)

Experience of successfully managing personal mental health and recovery

Experience working as part of a team

Knowledge of Peer Support, Recovery and Wellbeing in mental health and ability to apply this throughout your work
Good level of secondary education to GCSE level, or equivalent experience
Level of educational attainment to NVQ 3 / AS Level or equivalent experience
Willingness to undertake further training relevant to and in line with the development of peer support role
To protect the health and safety of our staff/workers, patients, and those attending our sites, we encourage our workforce to get fully vaccinated against COVID.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Health care or relevant NVQ Level 3 or equivalent skills acquired through experience or formal teaching qualification
A recognised Peer Support qualification
Evidence of a commitment to lifelong learning

Knowledge / Experience

Essential

Significant experience of working with people with mental health needs in a paid or voluntary capacity in health/social care/teaching setting
Experience of working with people with mental health difficulties
Experience of working with groups/activities

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Health care or relevant NVQ Level 3 or equivalent skills acquired through experience or formal teaching qualification
A recognised Peer Support qualification
Evidence of a commitment to lifelong learning

Knowledge / Experience

Essential

Significant experience of working with people with mental health needs in a paid or voluntary capacity in health/social care/teaching setting
Experience of working with people with mental health difficulties
Experience of working with groups/activities

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).

Additional information