Job summary
Senior Peer Support Worker (BAND 4; 1.6 WTE; Fixed Term: 1 year in first instance)
Stigma and discrimination can have a serious impact on the wellbeing of people who experience psychosis and can impact personal recovery. Peer-delivered interventions that are designed to support people with psychosis who have been personally impacted by stigma show promise, but to date most trials have been small and have focused on feasibility rather than efficacy of the peer interventions.
Following the success of our NIHR funded feasibility trial, Let's Talk 1, the Let's Talk 2 Trial has now been funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) through the Efficacy and Mechanisms Evaluation (EME) programme
The Let's Talk 2 trial is a 32-month randomised controlled trial, jointly led by Professor Tony Morrison and Dr Melissa Pyle at the Psychosis Research Unit, Let's Talk 2 builds on the success of Lets Talk 1 and our track record of collaborative research on psychosocial interventions for people with experience of psychosis by evaluating the possible benefits of a peer-delivered intervention called Let's Talk which aims to aid mental health disclosure decision making.
We will compare the Let's Talk peer-delivered intervention to standard care from Early Intervention in Psychosis Services and Community Mental Health Teams. We will conduct this research across four areas in the UK (Avon and Wiltshire, Greater Manchester, North East London and South London).
Main duties of the job
NELFT's Research and Development Department is seeking to appoint 2 peer support workers (PSWs) to work on the Let's Talk 2 Trial. The Let's Talk PSWs will be primarily responsible for delivering the peer-delivered intervention Let's Talk. The Let's talk intervention is a semi-structured approach to supporting people with psychosis who are experiencing internalised stigma and who report concerns about talking about their psychosis experiences or concealing their experiences because of stigma. It is an approach that is underpinned by the principles of Peer Support. The PSWs will work together with service users across the footprint of the Trust. The posts will be for a fixed term of 12 months initially.
You will have lived experience of psychosis and experience of working in a relevant peer support role. You will be able to work in an independent and autonomous fashion handling a diverse caseload. You will uphold peer values of supporting and promoting recovery as a user led concept, emphasise hope and optimism, value learning through lived experience and focus on strengths rather than deficits.
Supervision is provided for all duties from Dr Lisa Wood, Consultant Clinical Psychologist & site lead for Let's Talk 2 in NELFT.
As the post will involve travel within the North East London area.
For further information, please contact Dr Lisa Wood.
About us
Starting with NELFT
NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop in sessions focussing in engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.
Probationary Period
This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).
High Cost Area Supplement
This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (with a minimum of £4,714 to a maximum of £5,941 p.a pro rata for part time).
Sponsorship
This role is not eligible for sponsorship. You must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, we cannot progress applications from individuals who would require sponsorship for this post.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer closely to this when completing your application.
We welcome your application even if you do not meet all the criteria listed in the person specification. Any development needs to help you succeed in the role, can be discussed at the interview stage.
Supporting Our Communities
At NELFT, we are committed to supporting and investing in our local communities. As part of this, we are prioritising applications from individuals who live within the areas we serve. This helps us build a workforce that truly reflects the diverse populations we care for, improves our ability to provide culturally informed services, and strengthens local employment opportunities. By recruiting locally, we aim to foster a more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable health and care system.
References
Please ensure that the references are from your most recent employer and one of these must be your direct Line Manager or Supervisor. You must provide professional email addresses for all referees as we will contact them as soon as an offer has been made. Please note we do not request references prior to interviews. Additionally, ensure that any gaps in your employment history are clearly indicated. All applications made through NHS Jobs account will be processed by TRAC System. Please note that some emails may go to your spam/junk mailbox so make sure you check this regularly.
Use of AI
Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used, then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.
Sponsorship
Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for some job roles, and this will be identified through filtering questions at the start of any job application on the Trac recruitment system
If you like the sound of working with NELFT, dont waste a moment and apply now!
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer closely to this when completing your application.
We welcome your application even if you do not meet all the criteria listed in the person specification. Any development needs to help you succeed in the role, can be discussed at the interview stage.
Supporting Our Communities
At NELFT, we are committed to supporting and investing in our local communities. As part of this, we are prioritising applications from individuals who live within the areas we serve. This helps us build a workforce that truly reflects the diverse populations we care for, improves our ability to provide culturally informed services, and strengthens local employment opportunities. By recruiting locally, we aim to foster a more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable health and care system.
References
Please ensure that the references are from your most recent employer and one of these must be your direct Line Manager or Supervisor. You must provide professional email addresses for all referees as we will contact them as soon as an offer has been made. Please note we do not request references prior to interviews. Additionally, ensure that any gaps in your employment history are clearly indicated. All applications made through NHS Jobs account will be processed by TRAC System. Please note that some emails may go to your spam/junk mailbox so make sure you check this regularly.
Use of AI
Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used, then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.
Sponsorship
Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for some job roles, and this will be identified through filtering questions at the start of any job application on the Trac recruitment system
If you like the sound of working with NELFT, dont waste a moment and apply now!
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- NVQ level 2 or equivalent standard of literacy and numeracy
- A willingness to undertake further training and/or qualifications.
- NVQ3 in health and social care or equivalent experience.
- Commitment to obtain underpinning knowledge through work based learning and mandatory training.
Desirable
- NELFT Accredited Peer Support Worker Training
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of working as a Peer Support Working in a relevant setting.
- Own personal lived experience of mental health.
- Ability to demonstrate an understanding of mental health issues.
Desirable
- Awareness of local services and community organisations.
- Knowledge of benefits/employment systems.
- Ability to speak other languages.
- Experience of delivering training.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Basic awareness of IT and IT skills
- A sound knowledge of good practice in Peer Support Work
- Ability to use Email, Word processing packages.
- Demonstrate knowledge of personal Recovery
- Evidence of good interpersonal skills and an ability to form peer relationships with service users and carers.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to appreciate / understand other people's worlds.
- Commitment to Trust Equality and Diversity policies and Trust values.
- Cultural awareness including awareness of the potential impact of discrimination & disadvantage on mental health.
Desirable
- Ability to recognise and appropriately challenge stigma and discrimination.
- Willingness to take initiative and speaking Truth to Power.
- Ability to communicate on all levels and to a broad scope of individuals, both internally and externally to the Trust.
- To demonstrate broad understanding of the principles of recovery.
- Able to demonstrate understanding of Intentional Peer Support.
- To demonstrate a knowledge of conducting audits, survey's and consultations.
- Ability to co-produce new information resources to promote emerging projects.
Other
Essential
- To be aware and demonstrate the Trust Values
- To be able to travel effectively throughout the Trust
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- NVQ level 2 or equivalent standard of literacy and numeracy
- A willingness to undertake further training and/or qualifications.
- NVQ3 in health and social care or equivalent experience.
- Commitment to obtain underpinning knowledge through work based learning and mandatory training.
Desirable
- NELFT Accredited Peer Support Worker Training
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of working as a Peer Support Working in a relevant setting.
- Own personal lived experience of mental health.
- Ability to demonstrate an understanding of mental health issues.
Desirable
- Awareness of local services and community organisations.
- Knowledge of benefits/employment systems.
- Ability to speak other languages.
- Experience of delivering training.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Basic awareness of IT and IT skills
- A sound knowledge of good practice in Peer Support Work
- Ability to use Email, Word processing packages.
- Demonstrate knowledge of personal Recovery
- Evidence of good interpersonal skills and an ability to form peer relationships with service users and carers.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to appreciate / understand other people's worlds.
- Commitment to Trust Equality and Diversity policies and Trust values.
- Cultural awareness including awareness of the potential impact of discrimination & disadvantage on mental health.
Desirable
- Ability to recognise and appropriately challenge stigma and discrimination.
- Willingness to take initiative and speaking Truth to Power.
- Ability to communicate on all levels and to a broad scope of individuals, both internally and externally to the Trust.
- To demonstrate broad understanding of the principles of recovery.
- Able to demonstrate understanding of Intentional Peer Support.
- To demonstrate a knowledge of conducting audits, survey's and consultations.
- Ability to co-produce new information resources to promote emerging projects.
Other
Essential
- To be aware and demonstrate the Trust Values
- To be able to travel effectively throughout the Trust
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).
