Job summary
The Wellbeing and Recovery Partnership, which is a formal partnership between Dorset HealthCare and Dorset Mental Health Forum are excited to recruit into this new Lived Experience Practitioner role in Trauma Informed Approaches.
We are looking to recruit an individual who has experience using their Lived Experience in a work or clinical setting and has experience of distress which could be understood as 'personality disorder', complex emotional needs, and/or dissociative experiences. This role requires the intentional sharing and use of their own Lived Experience expertise in all aspects of the work.
The purpose of the partnership is to ensure that Lived Experience perspectives are acknowledged and valued alongside clinical and technical expertise at all levels in the design and delivery of Mental Health services in Dorset.
Thesuccessful candidate will work with and be line managed by our Lived Experience Leads in Trauma Informed Approaches.
This post is a temporary post to cover maternity leave. We are currently looking for someone to work with us up until 31 March 2026. We have up to full time hours available but will consider part time hours.
Main duties of the job
The Lived Experience Practitioner will support the implementation of the WaRP strategy through the delivery of Trauma Informed Approaches across DHC and into the wider Dorset system including communities.
They will participate in the development, delivery, and evaluation of high quality Trauma Informed Training with a focus on Trauma, Complex Trauma and Safety. This includes staff training and working with and into our Recovery Education Centre, the REC is Dorset's Recovery College. The practitioner will support the offer of supervision and reflection for trainers with Lived Experience and/or Clinical Experience in DMHF and within DHC.
The Lived Experience Practitioner will work closely with the Lived Experience Leads in TIA and with WaRP colleagues to promote, develop and embed lived experience, TIA, and the principles of recovery orientated practice.
This post will also contribute to the development of lived experience perspectives to challenge stigma and perceptions of people with experiences of complex trauma in Dorset.
Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.
This is a fixed term role and for those with current NHS service, the role will be offered on a secondment basis only. Please obtain permission to be released on a secondment before submitting an application.
About us
At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.
We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.
Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do, and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.
Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion, and expertise in all we do.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare is working in partnership with The Princes Trust to support people getting into work, as part of this partnership, we are offering an employability service to support individuals between 16-30 years old with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
Job description
Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare is working in partnership with The Princes Trust to support people getting into work, as part of this partnership, we are offering an employability service to support individuals between 16-30 years old with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
Person Specification
BUSINESS TRAVEL
Essential
- Subject to the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND TRAINING
Essential
- Relevant degree or able to demonstrate equivalent skills in research, writing or analysis.
Desirable
- Trauma Informed training or experience
JOB SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Lived experience of recovery related to trauma, adversity, which can also be recognised as 'personality disorder' or complex emotional and/or relational needs
- Experience of accessing or strong working knowledge of mental health services
- Experience of intentionally utilising one's lived experience in a work role
- Experience of facilitating training or groupwork
- Experience of relationship building, partnership working and co-production
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate first person experiential knowledge of challenges associated with 'personality disorder' or complex emotional needs
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the concept of personal recovery as it may apply to self, others and in group contexts.
- Ability to support emotionally safe practice - understand and respond to emotional content of sessions, working with people who may experience complex emotional needs
- Ability to manage own workload, prioritise and seek creative solutions to problem solve
- Good communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/RESOURCES
Essential
- Confident in the use of computer systems to deliver training and presentations face to face and on-line
PERSONAL QUALITIES/ATTRIBUTES
Essential
- Ability to reflect sensitively on your personal experience of recovery to support others
- Ability to identify and take steps to support own wellbeing through a personal Wellbeing at Work Plan
- Enthusiasm for the Recovery agenda, lived experience training and leadership, peer working and an ability to articulate the value added by peer and lived experience working within the context of multi-disciplinary physical and mental health services
- Demonstrates Psychologically safe working practices
Person Specification
BUSINESS TRAVEL
Essential
- Subject to the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND TRAINING
Essential
- Relevant degree or able to demonstrate equivalent skills in research, writing or analysis.
Desirable
- Trauma Informed training or experience
JOB SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Lived experience of recovery related to trauma, adversity, which can also be recognised as 'personality disorder' or complex emotional and/or relational needs
- Experience of accessing or strong working knowledge of mental health services
- Experience of intentionally utilising one's lived experience in a work role
- Experience of facilitating training or groupwork
- Experience of relationship building, partnership working and co-production
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate first person experiential knowledge of challenges associated with 'personality disorder' or complex emotional needs
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the concept of personal recovery as it may apply to self, others and in group contexts.
- Ability to support emotionally safe practice - understand and respond to emotional content of sessions, working with people who may experience complex emotional needs
- Ability to manage own workload, prioritise and seek creative solutions to problem solve
- Good communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/RESOURCES
Essential
- Confident in the use of computer systems to deliver training and presentations face to face and on-line
PERSONAL QUALITIES/ATTRIBUTES
Essential
- Ability to reflect sensitively on your personal experience of recovery to support others
- Ability to identify and take steps to support own wellbeing through a personal Wellbeing at Work Plan
- Enthusiasm for the Recovery agenda, lived experience training and leadership, peer working and an ability to articulate the value added by peer and lived experience working within the context of multi-disciplinary physical and mental health services
- Demonstrates Psychologically safe working practices
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.
