Job summary
The role of peer support worker (PSW) has been developed specifically for people who have lived experience of mental health challenges. Through sharing wisdom from their own experiences, peer support workers will inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible in others.
As an integral and highly valued member of the multi-disciplinary team, the PSW will provide formalised peer support and practical assistance to service users in order for them to regain control over their lives and their own unique recovery journey
Through sharing the wisdom of own lived experience, the PSW will inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible in others. Within a relationship of mutuality, they will facilitate and support information sharing to promote choice, self-determination and opportunities for the fulfilment of socially valued roles and connection to local communities.
The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.
Main duties of the job
As a core member of a busy multi-disciplinary team, the PSW will carry out some generic duties, which includes supporting patients who may be on close observations, undertaking and recording physical health checks, and supervising meal times.
The PSW will take a lead role in embedding recovery values within the service setting in which they work, alongside other Trust recovery champions, and act as an ambassador of recovery for the Trust with external agencies and partner organisations.
The PSW will also have the opportunity to co-work with other colleagues and there will be some opportunities for group work. The PSW will work under the supervision of line management e.g. Nurse/ Occupational Therapist/Social Worker. The PSW will also co-facilitate Inpatient Recovery Snapshots on a rotational basis.
About us
CNWL (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust) has almost 7,000 staff providing integrated healthcare to a third of London's population, Milton Keynes and areas beyond.We involve service users, carers, the public, staff and partner organisations in the way that we are run.
Our catchment area spans diverse communities, with over 100 first languages spoken. It contains areas of great affluence as well as areas of much deprivation. We are committed to providing services that meet the needs of the people who use them, and we actively encourage involvement from local people who can help make a difference. We're proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME and people with disabilities to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.We are recognised locally, nationally and internationally for providing high quality, innovative healthcare. We aim to employ only the best people, and our experts are frequently called upon to contribute to national health strategy and policy, and many models of our care have been adapted for use in other countries.
We offer a generous relocation package (subject to eligibility assessment) and flexible working options, including bank assignments for most roles. See attached Staff Reward and Wellbeing Handbook detailing our benefits, discounts and wellbeing initiatives for staff.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please note: This vacancy does not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker sponsorship, unless you meet the criteria by temporary exemption from current changes to immigration rules put in force on 22/07/2025. Separate provisions are applied to workers who have been sponsored and held continuously Skilled Worker visa since prior to 04/04/2024."
As such, if you dont meet the Transitional Provision (above) we are unable to consider your application unless you can provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the United Kingdom. If you believe you are eligible for sponsorship or already hold a valid right to work in the UK, please ensure you provide full details of your immigration status in the Pre-Screening Immigration section of your application form.
Please note role eligibility also depends on whether the role meets the salary threshold for the relevant occupational code (SOC CODE).
For further info please visit: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK
Key Responsibilities
1. Central and North West London NHS Trust is committed to providing safe, effective services and providing those who use the services; and those who support them, with a positive experience.
Clinical Responsibilities
- To work with the multi-disciplinary team in the support of both informal service users and those detained under the mental health act within acute inpatient settings
- To assume a coaching role supporting service users in developing personal recovery plans; this can be delivered individually or in groups.
- To assist service users to identify their strengths, personal interests and goals.
- To provide opportunities for service users to direct their own recovery process.
- To facilitate or assist in the admission, transfer and discharge of service users.
- To model/mentor a recovery process and demonstrate coping skills, using own experience of recovery.
- To act as a role model to service users to inspire hope, share life experiences and lessons learned as a person in recovery.
- To support service users to negotiate an Advanced Directive with all people involved in their care and others who provide support.
- To contribute to the assessment, planning, implementation and review of care with the multi-disciplinary team.
- To work together with the service user and where possible their carers in the drawing up of care plans encouraging and motivating service users to take an active role in their own care plan.
- To assist individuals in managing their mental health on a day to day basis including providing support with activities of daily living such as care of self, budgeting, personal care, caring for their home and leisure activities.
- To positively promote and support independent living for service users in the community by maintaining extensive knowledge and links with community resources and actively supporting service users to access them e.g. in relation to employment, community living and leisure.
- To take part, with the service user, in ward activities and social groups, some of this activity will be supporting the Activity Coordinator or Occupational Therapist.
- To assist in the development and implementation of educational and peer facilitated support groups and activities which complement the inpatient programme.
- To accompany service users to appointments, therapeutic or social community based activities as appropriate.
- To support service users in seeking to connect/ reconnect with family, friends, significant others and in learning how to improve or eliminate unhealthy relationships.
- To assist service users to maintain a connection with their life outside of hospital.
- To accept and respect service users personal beliefs, uniqueness and identity.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please note: This vacancy does not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker sponsorship, unless you meet the criteria by temporary exemption from current changes to immigration rules put in force on 22/07/2025. Separate provisions are applied to workers who have been sponsored and held continuously Skilled Worker visa since prior to 04/04/2024."
As such, if you dont meet the Transitional Provision (above) we are unable to consider your application unless you can provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the United Kingdom. If you believe you are eligible for sponsorship or already hold a valid right to work in the UK, please ensure you provide full details of your immigration status in the Pre-Screening Immigration section of your application form.
Please note role eligibility also depends on whether the role meets the salary threshold for the relevant occupational code (SOC CODE).
For further info please visit: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK
Key Responsibilities
1. Central and North West London NHS Trust is committed to providing safe, effective services and providing those who use the services; and those who support them, with a positive experience.
Clinical Responsibilities
- To work with the multi-disciplinary team in the support of both informal service users and those detained under the mental health act within acute inpatient settings
- To assume a coaching role supporting service users in developing personal recovery plans; this can be delivered individually or in groups.
- To assist service users to identify their strengths, personal interests and goals.
- To provide opportunities for service users to direct their own recovery process.
- To facilitate or assist in the admission, transfer and discharge of service users.
- To model/mentor a recovery process and demonstrate coping skills, using own experience of recovery.
- To act as a role model to service users to inspire hope, share life experiences and lessons learned as a person in recovery.
- To support service users to negotiate an Advanced Directive with all people involved in their care and others who provide support.
- To contribute to the assessment, planning, implementation and review of care with the multi-disciplinary team.
- To work together with the service user and where possible their carers in the drawing up of care plans encouraging and motivating service users to take an active role in their own care plan.
- To assist individuals in managing their mental health on a day to day basis including providing support with activities of daily living such as care of self, budgeting, personal care, caring for their home and leisure activities.
- To positively promote and support independent living for service users in the community by maintaining extensive knowledge and links with community resources and actively supporting service users to access them e.g. in relation to employment, community living and leisure.
- To take part, with the service user, in ward activities and social groups, some of this activity will be supporting the Activity Coordinator or Occupational Therapist.
- To assist in the development and implementation of educational and peer facilitated support groups and activities which complement the inpatient programme.
- To accompany service users to appointments, therapeutic or social community based activities as appropriate.
- To support service users in seeking to connect/ reconnect with family, friends, significant others and in learning how to improve or eliminate unhealthy relationships.
- To assist service users to maintain a connection with their life outside of hospital.
- To accept and respect service users personal beliefs, uniqueness and identity.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Willingness to undertake or completion of Level 4 accredited course "Developing Expertise in Peer Support" course
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
Desirable
- Trauma Informed Approach Training
Previous Experience
Essential
- Lived experience of recovery from mental and emotional distress
- Experience of having personally accessed inpatient mental health services
- Developed plans for managing own recovery
- Experience of positively sharing own life experiences, and personal recovery
- Experience of working both independently as well as providing group and 1:1 activities
Desirable
- Involvement in service redesign and development.
Skills, Knowledge, Abilities
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate first person experiential Knowledge of recovery.
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the concept of personal recovery as it may apply to others
- Effective listening skills
- Ability to communicate on all levels and to a broad scope of individuals, both internally and externally to the Trust
- Ability to act calmly and to respond in a professional manner to distress, disturbance and unpredictability
- Ability to see solutions rather than problems
- Good marketing and presentation skills
- Ability to problem solve and create innovative solutions to help empower others.
- hallenge issues in relation to stigma, low expectations and discriminatory practice in an effective manner.
- Sensitive understanding of diversity issues and an ability to promote anti discriminatory practice
Desirable
- Knowledge of current legislation which underpins health and Social Care and a working knowledge of the Equalities Act 2010 and Human Rights Act.
- Ability to speak another language
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Willingness to undertake or completion of Level 4 accredited course "Developing Expertise in Peer Support" course
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
Desirable
- Trauma Informed Approach Training
Previous Experience
Essential
- Lived experience of recovery from mental and emotional distress
- Experience of having personally accessed inpatient mental health services
- Developed plans for managing own recovery
- Experience of positively sharing own life experiences, and personal recovery
- Experience of working both independently as well as providing group and 1:1 activities
Desirable
- Involvement in service redesign and development.
Skills, Knowledge, Abilities
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate first person experiential Knowledge of recovery.
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the concept of personal recovery as it may apply to others
- Effective listening skills
- Ability to communicate on all levels and to a broad scope of individuals, both internally and externally to the Trust
- Ability to act calmly and to respond in a professional manner to distress, disturbance and unpredictability
- Ability to see solutions rather than problems
- Good marketing and presentation skills
- Ability to problem solve and create innovative solutions to help empower others.
- hallenge issues in relation to stigma, low expectations and discriminatory practice in an effective manner.
- Sensitive understanding of diversity issues and an ability to promote anti discriminatory practice
Desirable
- Knowledge of current legislation which underpins health and Social Care and a working knowledge of the Equalities Act 2010 and Human Rights Act.
- Ability to speak another language
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.
