Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Peer Support Worker

The closing date is 08 June 2025

Job summary

Are you passionate about supporting individuals with health vulnerabilities transitioning from the criminal justice system?

Do you have lived experience and a desire to make a real difference in people's lives?

As a Peer Support Worker in the Reconnect service, you will play a crucial role in helping individuals navigate their recovery journey after involvement in the criminal justice system. You will work alongside clinical and support staff, providing practical and emotional support, guiding individuals in overcoming challenges and empowering them to make positive changes in their lives.

We are seeking a peer support worker to work within the Reconnect Service. This is now part of the new, 7 year contract of INCS which brings together the previously separately commissioned services of Liaison and Diversion, Reconnect and Mental Health treatment Requirements.

The Reconnect service works to support individuals who have health vulnerabilities and are being released from prison. The service works to engage with individuals supporting them to integrate back into community and access appropriate services with the aim of reducing their vulnerabilities and the risk of reoffending.

The role of peer support worker has been developed specifically for people who have lived experience of the criminal justice process and mental health challenges. Through sharing wisdom from their own experiences, peer support workers will inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible in others.

Main duties of the job

As an integral and highly valued member of the multi-disciplinary team, the PSW will provide formalised peer support and practical assistance 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.

The PSW will act as a recovery champion within the team and an ambassador of recovery for the Trust with external agencies and partner organisations. There is also 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 basis. The PSW will take a lead role in embedding recovery values within the service setting in which they work with other Trust recovery champions. Reporting directly to the team manager and under the supervision nurse of the support time recovery worker. 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

23 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9369-25-0365

Job locations

Devon & Cornwall Constabulary

Tollgate Road

Bodmin

Cornwall

PL31 2FJ

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification which will provide further information on this role

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification which will provide further information on this role

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Basic Education (Level 2 Qualification).
To complete Care Certificate training within the first 3-6 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).

Experience

Essential

Lived experience of prison and the criminal justice system
An understanding of the challenges individuals face when transitioning from the criminal justice system.
Ability to demonstrate first person experiential knowledge of recovery from mental health challenges.
Demonstrate a willingness to share own experience of mental health with the sole intention of supporting service users.
Evidenced modelling of peer support values.
Lived experience of accessing and negotiating secondary mental health services or equivalent experience from private healthcare/lived experience relevant to patient group

Desirable

Personal experience of being significantly impacted by mental illness and recovery)
Paid or unpaid working experience in health and social care.
Experience of actively supporting individuals to identify and work towards their self-defined goals in a related social care or health setting (paid or unpaid).

Knowledge

Essential

Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the concept of personal recovery as it may apply to others.
Basic knowledge of peer support
Knowledge of mental health and a basic understanding of physical health presentations.

Desirable

Awareness of safeguarding principles.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Basic Education (Level 2 Qualification).
To complete Care Certificate training within the first 3-6 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).

Experience

Essential

Lived experience of prison and the criminal justice system
An understanding of the challenges individuals face when transitioning from the criminal justice system.
Ability to demonstrate first person experiential knowledge of recovery from mental health challenges.
Demonstrate a willingness to share own experience of mental health with the sole intention of supporting service users.
Evidenced modelling of peer support values.
Lived experience of accessing and negotiating secondary mental health services or equivalent experience from private healthcare/lived experience relevant to patient group

Desirable

Personal experience of being significantly impacted by mental illness and recovery)
Paid or unpaid working experience in health and social care.
Experience of actively supporting individuals to identify and work towards their self-defined goals in a related social care or health setting (paid or unpaid).

Knowledge

Essential

Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the concept of personal recovery as it may apply to others.
Basic knowledge of peer support
Knowledge of mental health and a basic understanding of physical health presentations.

Desirable

Awareness of safeguarding principles.

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.