Job summary
Do you want to be part of a team improving the way adult mental health care is provided in the community? Hammersmith & Fulham Mental Health Integrated Network Team (MINT) is a community based service supporting people's mental and physical health as well as social care needs. We work closely with the local GP practices, primary care networks, social services, voluntary sector and other organisations to provide interventions in a more collaborative way that are simpler and support joined-up, personalised treatment and care.
Are you passionate about helping others? Do you have lived experience of mental illness or caring for someone who has a mental health condition? Would you like to use this experience to help people affected by mental health challenges?
We have an exciting opportunity for a peer support worker role in Hammersmith & Fulham central MINT with lived experience of recovery from mental health challenges or supporting someone with mental health challenges to join our new Mental Health Integrated Network Teams (MINT) based across the trust.The Community Mental Health Framework represents a new approach to providing community-based integrated support, care and treatment for adults with mental health problems whatever their level of need.
Main duties of the job
The role of peer support worker (PSW) has been developed specifically for people with lived experience to provide formalised peer support and practical assistance to help people to engage with their local communities and benefit from all the supports available locally. We are looking for some who is prepared to use their own experience to support and encourage others to develop an independent and meaningful life.
The post holder will be part of a multi-disciplinary team, which will cover a Primary Care Network or locality and will work across networks to share the wisdom of their own lived experience both within the team and with clients to embed peer support and recovery values within the service setting to shape an innovative and groundbreaking support structure.
About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Direct experience of using mental health services
- Commitment to work towards formal peer support accredited training
Desirable
- Training for lived experience practitioners
- Evidence of further related training
- Health related qualification
Experience
Essential
- Personal lived experience of mental health distress.
- Personal experience of accessing primary or secondary mental health service
- Basic understanding of Peer Support
Desirable
- Experience of working with peers and/ or clinicians using a co-production methodology within a work setting
- Experience of contributing to a research project or audit
- Experience of collaborative working alongside professionals in either a statutory or non-statutory mental health service
- Experience of group work interventions
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Understanding of how lived experience of mental health problems can be used to support others
- Understanding of recovery focussed principles and how they can influence support for service users
- Understanding of the issues and concerns that service users may have in relation to their care.
- Ability to support others in a recovery orientated way
- Good motivational techniques and abilities
- Clear effective planning and decision-making skills
- Able to maintain the profile of the peer support service within a multidisciplinary/ multi-agency setting.
- Demonstrates the ability to role model, empower and enable others
- Ability to receive highly complex and sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
- Computer Literacy.
Desirable
- Knowledge of mental health policies and legislation that may contribute to support for service users
- Understanding the impact of stigma and discrimination on service users
- Good organisational skills and time management
- Presentation and teaching skills
- Evidence of working within a team environment and the ability to develop and maintain constructive working relationships with colleagues.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Commitment to life-long learning
- High level of self-awareness
- Ability to manage stress and maintain a work-life balance
- Ability and willingness to share personal story of recovery in a professional and appropriate manner
- Accepting and non-judgemental approach
Desirable
- Experience of receiving counselling or psychotherapy
- Ability to critically think and reflect.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Direct experience of using mental health services
- Commitment to work towards formal peer support accredited training
Desirable
- Training for lived experience practitioners
- Evidence of further related training
- Health related qualification
Experience
Essential
- Personal lived experience of mental health distress.
- Personal experience of accessing primary or secondary mental health service
- Basic understanding of Peer Support
Desirable
- Experience of working with peers and/ or clinicians using a co-production methodology within a work setting
- Experience of contributing to a research project or audit
- Experience of collaborative working alongside professionals in either a statutory or non-statutory mental health service
- Experience of group work interventions
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Understanding of how lived experience of mental health problems can be used to support others
- Understanding of recovery focussed principles and how they can influence support for service users
- Understanding of the issues and concerns that service users may have in relation to their care.
- Ability to support others in a recovery orientated way
- Good motivational techniques and abilities
- Clear effective planning and decision-making skills
- Able to maintain the profile of the peer support service within a multidisciplinary/ multi-agency setting.
- Demonstrates the ability to role model, empower and enable others
- Ability to receive highly complex and sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
- Computer Literacy.
Desirable
- Knowledge of mental health policies and legislation that may contribute to support for service users
- Understanding the impact of stigma and discrimination on service users
- Good organisational skills and time management
- Presentation and teaching skills
- Evidence of working within a team environment and the ability to develop and maintain constructive working relationships with colleagues.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Commitment to life-long learning
- High level of self-awareness
- Ability to manage stress and maintain a work-life balance
- Ability and willingness to share personal story of recovery in a professional and appropriate manner
- Accepting and non-judgemental approach
Desirable
- Experience of receiving counselling or psychotherapy
- Ability to critically think and reflect.
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).
