Job summary
Peer Support Specialist - B4, permanent, part-time post
Do you have expertise from your own experience of mental health problems and a proven track record of using this expertise to support others' recovery?
Is so, we have a permanent, part-time Peer Support Specialist position that will interest you. In fact it could be a career game changer!
The post is in a specialist community mental health service for adults with severe mental health problems in Uckfield, a rural town in the beautiful countryside of the High Weald close to Ashdown Forest.
Main duties of the job
Our growing workforce of Peer Specialists work alongside service users to build their confidence and strengthen their community support networks so that they are empowered to live well despite their mental health challenges.
The successful candidate must be able to travel, preferably being able to drive using their own transport.
About us
In return for your skills and enthusiasm, we can offer you interesting and rewarding work in a team which prides itself in providing a high standard of care and support as well as providing excellent learning opportunities and regular supervision and support for its staff. There is a strong professional network for peer workers across the Trust with a bespoke peer training package, buddy and mentorship schemes offered alongside the regular clinical supervision they all receive within their teams.
This post is 22.5hrs (3 days) per week. We are a 9-5 Monday to Friday service.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Peer Support workers engage with mental health service users to show empathy, share experience, inspire hope and promote recovery with the aim of assisting individuals to gain and maintain independence in the community
Peer Support workers are part of the Adult Mental Health Services multi-disciplinary Care Team. The role is to focus on the day to day holistic support needs of service users. Self-managed care is essential to this: the supported person is encouraged to assess their own needs and to develop and implement a self-management plan
Peer support is delivered through promoting empowerment and choice and giving the opportunity for the exploration of meaning and purpose
Work is guided by a qualified professional (ie. nurse, occupational Therapist) and supervision is regularly provided to support the work
Supervising one other Peer Support Worker if experienced
Undertaking highly skilled and specialised support work
Working without direct supervision (depending on level of experience)
Job description
Job responsibilities
Peer Support workers engage with mental health service users to show empathy, share experience, inspire hope and promote recovery with the aim of assisting individuals to gain and maintain independence in the community
Peer Support workers are part of the Adult Mental Health Services multi-disciplinary Care Team. The role is to focus on the day to day holistic support needs of service users. Self-managed care is essential to this: the supported person is encouraged to assess their own needs and to develop and implement a self-management plan
Peer support is delivered through promoting empowerment and choice and giving the opportunity for the exploration of meaning and purpose
Work is guided by a qualified professional (ie. nurse, occupational Therapist) and supervision is regularly provided to support the work
Supervising one other Peer Support Worker if experienced
Undertaking highly skilled and specialised support work
Working without direct supervision (depending on level of experience)
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- Health care or relevant NVQ Level 3 or equivalent skills acquired through experience or formal teaching qualification
- A recognised Peer Support qualification
- Evidence of a commitment to lifelong learning
KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Significant experience of working with people with mental health needs in a paid or voluntary capacity in health/social care/teaching setting
- Experience of working with people with mental health difficulties
- Experience of working with groups/activities
- Experience of supervising others
- Lived experience of mental health issues/difficulties
- Managing personal mental health and recovery
- Comprehensive knowledge of Peer Support, Recovery and Wellbeing in mental health and ability to apply this throughout your work
- Experience of working as part of a team
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- Health care or relevant NVQ Level 3 or equivalent skills acquired through experience or formal teaching qualification
- A recognised Peer Support qualification
- Evidence of a commitment to lifelong learning
KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Significant experience of working with people with mental health needs in a paid or voluntary capacity in health/social care/teaching setting
- Experience of working with people with mental health difficulties
- Experience of working with groups/activities
- Experience of supervising others
- Lived experience of mental health issues/difficulties
- Managing personal mental health and recovery
- Comprehensive knowledge of Peer Support, Recovery and Wellbeing in mental health and ability to apply this throughout your work
- Experience of working as part of a team
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.
