Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Peer Support Worker

This job is now closed

Job summary

We are excited to recruit a third Peer Support Worker at the West of England Specialist Gender Identity Clinic ('The Laurels'). This role has been specifically developed for a person with lived experience of gender dysphoria and history of accessing a gender identity service.

Through sharing your own experiences of gender transitioning, this may inspire hope and belief for others achieving their own gender transition goals. Your role will be to establish supportive relationships with people using gender identity services based on the core principles of peer support (mutuality, reciprocity, strengths-focused, safe, progressive, non-directive and inclusive).

We are able to accommodate hybrid and flexible working arrangements. The successful candidate will be expected to work from the clinic in Exeter at least half their working pattern.

This is not a healthcare support worker role. It is a peer support opportunity and designed for people with lived experience.

Candidates are strongly encouraged to enquire about this role before applying.

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to share details of their own personal lived experiences of gender dysphoria and their gender transitioning journey at interview to demonstrate the ability to support our service users effectively.

Interviews for this position will take place in Exeter on Monday 10th March.

Main duties of the job

Look to 'Supporting Links' to the right for video links describing the Peer Support role and experience at DPT.

As an integral member of the multi-disciplinary team, you will provide formalised peer support to support service users to achieve goals that they have identified for themselves. This will include signposting to other organisations and connection to local communities.

As a core member of the multidisciplinary team, you will work alongside an agreed number of service users on a 1:1 and/or group basis.

This job may be emotionally challenging at times, but the successful applicant will receive supervision, guidance and training from colleagues within their team, the Peer Support Leadership team and the wider organisation.

About us

About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Date posted

24 January 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,071 to £25,674 a year pro rata (28.5 hours per week)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9369-25-0837-2

Job locations

11-15 Dix's Field

Exeter

EX1 1QA

Job description

Job responsibilities

For more details about this position, please see the attached Job and Person Description word document.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For more details about this position, please see the attached Job and Person Description word document.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Able to demonstrate first person experiential knowledge of achieving gender transition goals
Lived experience of accessing and negotiating gender identity services or equivalent experience from private healthcare / lived experience relevant to patient group

Desirable

Paid or unpaid working experience in health and social care
Experience of actively supporting individuals to identify and work toward their self-defined goals in a related social care or health setting (paid or unpaid)

Qualifications

Essential

Level 2 qualification
Care Certificate training (to be completed within first 3-6 months of joining unless already obtained)
Basic IT skills

Desirable

NVQ Level 3 or QCF Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification or experience
Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings

Knowledge and skills

Essential

Able to communicate effectively with people using services taking into account any communication difficulties they may have and responding appropriately
Able to demonstrate empathy, compassion, patience and be non-judgemental in your approach
Able to demonstrate understanding about how and why we need to maintain personal - professional boundaries

Desirable

Knowledge of how to build community links and networks

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Able to demonstrate first person experiential knowledge of achieving gender transition goals
Lived experience of accessing and negotiating gender identity services or equivalent experience from private healthcare / lived experience relevant to patient group

Desirable

Paid or unpaid working experience in health and social care
Experience of actively supporting individuals to identify and work toward their self-defined goals in a related social care or health setting (paid or unpaid)

Qualifications

Essential

Level 2 qualification
Care Certificate training (to be completed within first 3-6 months of joining unless already obtained)
Basic IT skills

Desirable

NVQ Level 3 or QCF Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification or experience
Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings

Knowledge and skills

Essential

Able to communicate effectively with people using services taking into account any communication difficulties they may have and responding appropriately
Able to demonstrate empathy, compassion, patience and be non-judgemental in your approach
Able to demonstrate understanding about how and why we need to maintain personal - professional boundaries

Desirable

Knowledge of how to build community links and networks

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.