Job summary
Peer Support Workers use their lived experience of mental health challenges and using services to inspire hope that change is possible. Peer Support Workers use their lived experience to: offer emotional support, promote social inclusion, share coping mechanisms, and support service users to navigate mental health services.
The post holder will be based with the Southwark Team for Early Intervention in Psychosis (STEP), which is part of the Southwark Adult Directorate, Community Service. STEP offer a comprehensive service to service users and carers who are experiencing a first episode psychosis in the diverse borough of Southwark.
Main duties of the job
To use lived experience to inspire hope that change is possible.
To share your own lived experience safely and effectively.
To work in a way that acknowledges the personal, social, cultural and spiritual strengths of the person.
To use evidence-based recovery tools to support the service user.
To support the service user to understand the role of statutory mental health services and how they can support their recovery alongside other community resources.
To record information in a clear and accessible way.
To promote service user involvement in all aspects of their work.
To ensure confidentiality and safe keeping of client records.
To be aware of, teach others and challenge issues in relation to stigma, low expectations and anti-discriminatory practice as appropriate.
To attend team meetings as appropriate.
With agreement of line manager, to promote the role of peer support both within SLAM and externally, through co-delivery of presentations, workshops, and information sharing. In addition, to participate in Trust-wide peer related projects and audits.
To take part in regular one-to-one supervision with senior staff.
To contribute and commit to undertaking an annual appraisal.
To complete mandatory training.
To take part in group supervision and mentoring for peer workers.
To organise and oversee the peer support pathways at STEP, including 1:1 peer support, group peer support sessions and other psychosocial activity groups.
About us
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provide the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK as well as substance misuse services for people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol.
We work closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London and are part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre. There are very few organizations in the world that have such wide-ranging capabilities working with mental illness. Our scope is unique because it is built on three major foundations: care and treatment, science and research, and training.
SLaM employ around 5000 staff and serve a local population of 1.1 million people. We have more than 230 services including inpatient wards, outpatient and community services. Currently, provide inpatient care for approximately 5,300 people each year and treat more than 45,000 patients in the community in Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark; as well as substance misuse services for residents of Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich.
We are proud to offer flexible working as part of our new ways of working, and we are happy to talk flexible working at the interview stage.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- An exciting opportunity has arisen for Peer Support Workers (PSW) within our Southwark Team for Early Psychosis (STEP)
- We are looking to recruit enthusiastic, compassionate, positive thinking and self-motivated individuals with lived experience of mental health problems and recovery after using eating disorders.
- To use lived experience to inspire hope that change is possible.
- To share your own lived experience safely and effectively.
- To share your own and other examples of lived experience of recovery.
- To work in a way that acknowledges the personal, social, cultural and spiritual strengths of the person.
- To use evidence-based recovery tools to support the service user.
- To support the service user to understand the role of statutory mental health services and how they can support their recovery alongside other community resources.
- To support the service user to communicate this too involved mental health professionals and wider support network.
- To record information in a clear and accessible way.
- To promote service user involvement in all aspects of their work.
- To ensure confidentiality and safe keeping of client records.
- To be able to signpost to community and/or online resources and access appropriate mainstream and specialist resources.
- To be aware of, teach others and challenge issues in relation to stigma, low expectations and anti-discriminatory practice as appropriate.
- To attend team meetings as appropriate.
- With agreement of line manager, to promote the role of peer support both within SLAM and externally, through co-delivery of presentations, workshops, and information sharing. In addition, to participate in Trust-wide peer related projects and audits.
- To take part in regular one-to-one supervision with senior staff.
- To contribute and commit to undertaking an annual appraisal.
- To complete mandatory training.
- To take part in group supervision and mentoring for peer workers.
- To organise and oversee the peer support pathways at STEP, including 1:1 peer support, group peer support sessions and other psychosocial activity groups.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- An exciting opportunity has arisen for Peer Support Workers (PSW) within our Southwark Team for Early Psychosis (STEP)
- We are looking to recruit enthusiastic, compassionate, positive thinking and self-motivated individuals with lived experience of mental health problems and recovery after using eating disorders.
- To use lived experience to inspire hope that change is possible.
- To share your own lived experience safely and effectively.
- To share your own and other examples of lived experience of recovery.
- To work in a way that acknowledges the personal, social, cultural and spiritual strengths of the person.
- To use evidence-based recovery tools to support the service user.
- To support the service user to understand the role of statutory mental health services and how they can support their recovery alongside other community resources.
- To support the service user to communicate this too involved mental health professionals and wider support network.
- To record information in a clear and accessible way.
- To promote service user involvement in all aspects of their work.
- To ensure confidentiality and safe keeping of client records.
- To be able to signpost to community and/or online resources and access appropriate mainstream and specialist resources.
- To be aware of, teach others and challenge issues in relation to stigma, low expectations and anti-discriminatory practice as appropriate.
- To attend team meetings as appropriate.
- With agreement of line manager, to promote the role of peer support both within SLAM and externally, through co-delivery of presentations, workshops, and information sharing. In addition, to participate in Trust-wide peer related projects and audits.
- To take part in regular one-to-one supervision with senior staff.
- To contribute and commit to undertaking an annual appraisal.
- To complete mandatory training.
- To take part in group supervision and mentoring for peer workers.
- To organise and oversee the peer support pathways at STEP, including 1:1 peer support, group peer support sessions and other psychosocial activity groups.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to GCSE or equivalent level/or evidence of competency specifically in English and Maths.
- Lived Experience Training or willingness to complete Lived Experience / Peer Support Training (or willing to complete)
Desirable
- Experience of Recovery College courses
- Other evidence of relevant training
Experience
Essential
- Personal experience of mental health difficulties
- Experience of using mental health services (for example a community mental health team / promoting recovery team, home treatment team, inpatient stay, emergency department, etc)
- Willing to positively share your own life experiences, with service users, carers, and colleagues
- Experience of working with people with mental health difficulties (paid or voluntary)
Desirable
- Experience of delivering peer support services
- An interest in developing a career in mental health care
Knowledge/Skills
Essential
- Able to demonstrate an understanding of the Values of Peer Support
- To be able to share lived experience in way that is safe and useful
- Ability to problem solve and create innovative solutions to help empower service user
- Ability to demonstrate empathy, compassion, and patience
Desirable
- Awareness of complementary support services
- Basic knowledge of psychological and therapeutic interventions (CBT, DBT, MBT etc.)
Abilities
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate a good understanding of mental health issues
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge of personal recovery and boundaries
- An ability to act calmly and to respond in a professional manner to distress, disturbance and unpredictability
- Understanding of issues affecting people from different backgrounds and cultures
- Evidence of good interpersonal skills and an ability to form relationships with service users, staff, friends, and families/carers
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to GCSE or equivalent level/or evidence of competency specifically in English and Maths.
- Lived Experience Training or willingness to complete Lived Experience / Peer Support Training (or willing to complete)
Desirable
- Experience of Recovery College courses
- Other evidence of relevant training
Experience
Essential
- Personal experience of mental health difficulties
- Experience of using mental health services (for example a community mental health team / promoting recovery team, home treatment team, inpatient stay, emergency department, etc)
- Willing to positively share your own life experiences, with service users, carers, and colleagues
- Experience of working with people with mental health difficulties (paid or voluntary)
Desirable
- Experience of delivering peer support services
- An interest in developing a career in mental health care
Knowledge/Skills
Essential
- Able to demonstrate an understanding of the Values of Peer Support
- To be able to share lived experience in way that is safe and useful
- Ability to problem solve and create innovative solutions to help empower service user
- Ability to demonstrate empathy, compassion, and patience
Desirable
- Awareness of complementary support services
- Basic knowledge of psychological and therapeutic interventions (CBT, DBT, MBT etc.)
Abilities
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate a good understanding of mental health issues
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge of personal recovery and boundaries
- An ability to act calmly and to respond in a professional manner to distress, disturbance and unpredictability
- Understanding of issues affecting people from different backgrounds and cultures
- Evidence of good interpersonal skills and an ability to form relationships with service users, staff, friends, and families/carers
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).
