Peer Support Worker (Lived Experience)

Devon Partnership NHS Trust

The closing date is 10 May 2024

Job summary

The role of Peer Support Worker (PSW) will form a key part of this important new strategy. As an integral and highly valued member of the multi-disciplinary team and reporting directly to the Team Manager/Practice Leads the PSW will be responsible for peer telephone contact with people who have recently accessed the Single Point of Access and First Response Service; obtaining service feedback within a relationship of mutuality and information sharing. They will provide a safe environment, empowering people to share their experience of how the service responded to their needs and receive support from the Peer Leadership Team.

Main duties of the job

The role of Peer Support Worker has been developed specifically for people who have lived experience of mental health challenges. Through sharing wisdom from their own experiences, Peer Support Workers may inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible in others.

As an integral and highly valued member of the multi-disciplinary team, the PSW will provide formalised peer support to service users in order for them to regain control over their lives and their own unique recovery process. Within a relationship of mutuality and information sharing, they will promote choice, self- determination and opportunities for the fulfilment of socially valued roles and connection to local communities.

There is an expectation that PSWs will be involved in the on-going development of the role. As a core member of the multidisciplinary team, the PSW will work alongside an agreed number of service users on a 1:1 and/or group basis.

The PSW will take a lead role in embedding recovery values within the service setting in which they work. Reporting directly to the Team Manager/Practice Leads and under the professional supervision of the Peer Support Worker Lead, the PSW will be responsible for the delivery of peer support interventions as agreed within the peer relationship.

About us

About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Date posted

18 April 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£22,816 to £24,336 a year pro rata (7.5 hours per week)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9369-24-0347

Job locations

Wonford House Hospital

Dryden Road

Exeter

EX25AF

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the full Job Description and Person specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the full Job Description and Person specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the concept of personal recovery as it may apply to others.
Lived experience of accessing and negotiating secondary mental health services or equivalent experience from private healthcare/lived experience relevant to patient group
Knowledge of mental health and a basic understanding of physical health presentations.

Desirable

Paid or unpaid working experience in health and social care
Awareness of safeguarding principles.

Qualifications

Essential

Basic Education (Level 2 Qualification).
To complete Care Certificate training within the first 3 to 6 months of joining unless already obtained
Basic IT skills

Desirable

NVQ level 3, QCF Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification or experience/ equivalent working experience using lived experience.
Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings (statutory or voluntary).

Skills

Essential

Ability to communicate effectively with people using services taking into account any communication difficulties they may have and responding appropriately.
An ability to act calmly and to respond in a professional manner to distress, disturbance and unpredictability.
Ability to work with people in a group and individual basis.
Good written communication.
Demonstrate an ability and understanding about how and why we need to maintain personal professional boundaries.
To participate in unsupervised tasks and provide accurate feedback to relevant parties.
Mobility throughout the area covered by the area covered by service
To maintain confidentiality, empathy, compassion and patience towards individuals with mental health challenges.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the concept of personal recovery as it may apply to others.
Lived experience of accessing and negotiating secondary mental health services or equivalent experience from private healthcare/lived experience relevant to patient group
Knowledge of mental health and a basic understanding of physical health presentations.

Desirable

Paid or unpaid working experience in health and social care
Awareness of safeguarding principles.

Qualifications

Essential

Basic Education (Level 2 Qualification).
To complete Care Certificate training within the first 3 to 6 months of joining unless already obtained
Basic IT skills

Desirable

NVQ level 3, QCF Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification or experience/ equivalent working experience using lived experience.
Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings (statutory or voluntary).

Skills

Essential

Ability to communicate effectively with people using services taking into account any communication difficulties they may have and responding appropriately.
An ability to act calmly and to respond in a professional manner to distress, disturbance and unpredictability.
Ability to work with people in a group and individual basis.
Good written communication.
Demonstrate an ability and understanding about how and why we need to maintain personal professional boundaries.
To participate in unsupervised tasks and provide accurate feedback to relevant parties.
Mobility throughout the area covered by the area covered by service
To maintain confidentiality, empathy, compassion and patience towards individuals with mental health challenges.

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.