Peer Support Worker

Job description

Job responsibilities

To be the expert by experience in the CMHT using personal experience of mental health challenges to work alongside experts by expertise to collaboratively deliver a range of recovery focused interventions for people who use Community Mental Health services with the aim of helping them live a meaningful life

Help individuals identify their own achievable and meaningful goals and set objectives, drawing upon your mutual resources as peers and utilising a range of mental health specific tools, techniques and experiences.

Assist service users in creating a care plan to maintain their wellbeing and achieve their agreed goals and outcomes

Ensure your peers goals are integrated into the CMHT process and are reviewed on a regular basis, liaising with the multi-disciplinary team as necessary.

To communicate effectively with individuals and their carers.

To act as a positive role model showing professional and caring attitudes and behaviour towards other multidisciplinary team members, service users and carers.

Model personal responsibility, self-awareness, self-belief, self-advocacy and hopefulness via the telling of own recovery story to inspire and instil confidence in peers.

To raise awareness of a strengths based approach and associated language modelling positive strengths based, non-discriminatory, non-jargon, and non-medicalised language in all areas of work.

Participating as co-facilitator on more structured and formal group based interventions

Through their interaction with service users advise qualified staff of changes in risk, mental health and / or behaviour.

Close liaison with clinical areas, Multi-Disciplinary Teams, Local Authority services, education and third sector.

Prioritise, manage and monitor own workload and handle the day-to-day organisation of workload with the support of Team Manager

.

Provide activities and support to a defined group of service users with varying needs

To be available for 1:1 sessions with service users when not engaged in structured / planned activities.

To perform tasks within the framework of a care plan as set and reassessed by a qualified practitioner.

To support and encourage the development of user led services, e.g. drop-in and other social groups in community settings with the support and involvement of NHS, Local Authority and Third Sector agencies.

Share / teach coping, self-help and self-management techniques within the peer relationship

Use own initiative, personal experience and job related training in deciding on the approach and interventions required when working with a service user in delivering peer support with supervision from the multi-disciplinary team.

To document relevant information on PARIS electronic recording system as ensuring compliance with data governance guidance

To maintain confidentiality of information regarding patients and clients at all times

This job description is not exhaustive, but is intended to give an overall picture of the role. Other duties within the general scope of the post may be required from time to time. The duties of the post and job description can be reviewed through the agreed process.

Person Specification

Education/Qualification

Essential

• ‘Good basic education including English to GCSE standard or equivalent
• Completion of Accredited Peer Support Worker Training or Vocational/NVQ Level 3 or equivalent demonstrable knowledge and experience.

Desirable

• Willingness to undertake further training in line with the development of peer support

Experience

Essential

• Lived experience of mental health issues
• Completion of own Wellbeing Care Plan (or similar)
• Have an understanding of issues faced by individuals presenting in crisis
• Wide range of life experiences to bring an enabling and positive view of opportunities for others
• Experience of working in a team or group environment
• Experience of using a range of self-management tools and techniques

Desirable

• Experience of working in the public sector
• Experience of training / teaching / mentoring others
• Experience of working across different organizational boundaries

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Excellent written, verbal and nonverbal communication skills
• Computer literate and willingness to learn record keeping system
• Ability to prioritise workload
• Understanding and practical knowledge of person centred practice, including outcomes and solutions focused practice.
• Understanding of the issues and concerns of CMHT service users and their families
• Understanding of the impact of stigma and discrimination
• Knowledge of local policies in respect of safeguarding children and adults at risk.
• A commitment to promote recovery
• Ability to manage own emotional response in the face of others distress and respond appropriately

Desirable

• Evidence of undertaking presentations to groups.

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.

Closing Date: 02 June 2023