Peer Support Worker (PSW) - Reconnect

Job summary

Have you been arrested or come through the Criminal Justice System and have lived experience of having a vulnerability such as addiction, acquired brain injury, ADHD, ASD, mental health issues? These won't be a barrier to being considered for the role of a Peer Support Worker within our ReConnect service.

Peer support is based on the recognition that there is no better person to support the path towards recovery than someone who has walked the same path as that individual. The role of the Peer Support Worker (PSW) has been developed specifically for people who have lived experience of having vulnerabilities and criminal justice challenges. Through sharing wisdom from their own experiences, peer support workers will inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible in others.

This post is a full-time position, however, part-time options would be considered.

The successful applicant will need to apply for Criminal Justice Sector/Prison vetting and Devon and Cornwall Police vetting clearance and have it approved before a contract can be agreed. Please be aware of the common failures in relation to police vetting.

Main duties of the job

RECONNECT (part of the Liaison & Diversion Service) is an NHSE funded service delivered in HMP Exeter, HMP Channing's Wood and HMP Eastwood Park. This role will support those adults who will be residing in Cornwall post release. The project is supported by a Senior Support Time & Recovery (STR) Worker and the aim is to provide practical and emotional support to people in the lead up to, and post release from prison. The post holder will work closely with our criminal justice partners, and support will focus on preparing individuals for release and supporting them on day of release where possible, to connect them to services in the community to meet their health needs.

The PSW will engage with the ReConnect service users to show empathy, share experience, inspire hope, and promote recovery with the aim of assisting them to gain and maintain independence in the community and reduce the risk of re-offending and returning to prison.

About us

We're an NHS community and mental health provider Trust based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We deliver community and hospital-based care to improve people's physical and mental health. We also provide specialist support to people with dementia or a learning disability.

We are a people organisation and people matter to us. As part of the team, you'll help support the health and wellbeing of the people who live and visit this beautiful part of the UK.

Over 4,000 people make up the Trust. This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, plus admin and support staff.

We work in people's homes, in community clinics and bases. Some staff work from one of our 13 community hospitals. Our aspiration is to have great people, provide great care, be a great place to work and a great partner.

Approximately 568,000 people live here. A third of people who live in Cornwall are supported by acute hospital services in Devon. As a result, we also work closely with our partners in Devon. In the summer, and during other holidays lots of people choose to visit the area. This increases the numbers of people who use our services.