Job summary
Full and part time hours available
An exciting opportunity has
arisen to recruit more Community Connectors (Peer support workers) These posts
are unique to the trust- our community connectors currently in post come with a
wealth of lived and living experience of their own mental health challenges and
struggles. By utilising, and sharing their own experiences in a positive,
supportive and meaningful way help to support individuals to manage and
maintain their own physical and mental health wellbeing.
We are looking for individuals who are
creative and confident in trying new ways of working to help people become
empowered to live their best life. You will be expected to work with all
disciplines in a variety of community settings across the borough of Barnsley.
The role of the community connectors are to deliver recovery focussed
interventions such as graded exposure, psychoeducation, accessing the Recovery
College and enabling individuals to connect with their local communities to
manage their own health and well-being.
You must be well
organised and self-motivated and have an innate ability to cope with personal
stressand be able to manage your own
health and wellbeing in a positive manner.
At
the time of advertising, this role is eligible for sponsorship under the Health
and Care Worker visa. However, sponsorship can only be offered if the prorated
salary meets the minimum salary threshold of £23,200 set by UK Visa and
Immigration.
Main duties of the job
A Community Connector (peer
support worker) is someone who has lived experience, and who uses that lived
experience to help and support other people. You will work proactively with
people to explore their health and social care needs and those who may be
socially excluded or isolated, so it is essential you have the skills to
motivate and engage with people to offer specific early interventions and that
you have a personable and confident nature to liaise and work within a
multidisciplinary approach. You will possess the skills to manage your own
diary working confidently on a one-to-one basis with individuals in the
community and their own homes and will hold a case load.
The ideal candidate will have
compassion, honesty, and empathy and, by drawing on their own experiences, will
help service users and learners to discover the benefit of how learning can
help to address their health and wellbeing needs.
You will have a flexible
approach to work in this ever-evolving service and have a positive attitude to working
as part of a team.
All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to be
fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients.
About us
We
are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health
and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale,
Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are
the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.
Our mission is
to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this
by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ
staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a
difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.
We encourage
and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value
diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.
Being
a foundation Trust means were accountable to our
members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people
(including staff) are members of our Trust.
Join
us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving
the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and
help each year.
We
are committed
to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and
vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this
commitment.
We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY
Through sharing the wisdom from their own lived experience, the post holder will aim to inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible in others. To be willing and able to share ones own personal recovery within project work, and to support others with experience/service user led projects and development, bringing the voice of experience in to the planning, design and delivery of projects and developments. This will include a key role in supporting and developing mechanisms for working in partnership with, community organisations/groups
The PPSW will take a lead role in embedding recovery values within the Trust, alongside other Trust champions and colleagues, and act as an ambassador of recovery for the Trust with external agencies and partner organisations. Within a relationship of mutuality, facilitate and support information sharing to promote choice, self-determination and opportunities for the fulfilment of socially valued roles and connection to local communities.
There is an expectation that the PPSW will be involved in the ongoing development of peer roles within the Trust.
For full details of the role please see the supporting documents attached.
We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are
using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. We
strongly discourage this and will conduct a thorough screening process before
selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to
enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application
form.
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY
Through sharing the wisdom from their own lived experience, the post holder will aim to inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible in others. To be willing and able to share ones own personal recovery within project work, and to support others with experience/service user led projects and development, bringing the voice of experience in to the planning, design and delivery of projects and developments. This will include a key role in supporting and developing mechanisms for working in partnership with, community organisations/groups
The PPSW will take a lead role in embedding recovery values within the Trust, alongside other Trust champions and colleagues, and act as an ambassador of recovery for the Trust with external agencies and partner organisations. Within a relationship of mutuality, facilitate and support information sharing to promote choice, self-determination and opportunities for the fulfilment of socially valued roles and connection to local communities.
There is an expectation that the PPSW will be involved in the ongoing development of peer roles within the Trust.
For full details of the role please see the supporting documents attached.
We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are
using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. We
strongly discourage this and will conduct a thorough screening process before
selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to
enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application
form.
Person Specification
Training
Desirable
- Mental Health Awareness Training, Mental Health First Aid Training.
-
- Completion of own Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) or whole life plan.
Experience
Essential
- Lived experience of using mental health and/or physical health services or being a carer.
- Wide range of life experiences to bring an enabling and positive view of opportunities for others.
- Computer/keyboard skills using MS software.
- Experience of being in a supportive and enabling role.
- Experience of working in a team or a group environment.
- To be willing and able to share ones own personal recovery in order to help others.
Desirable
- Experience of supporting the development of projects.
- Experience of partnership working and networking.
- Experience of facilitating groups and /or chairing meetings.
- Experience of working in the public sector.
- Customer Care.
- Office/administrative experience.
- Experience of using ViewPoint real time patient experience system.
- Information management experience including: Data input, collection & collation, setting up spreadsheets or files.
- Experience in the use of database software i.e. SPSS, Excel, Access.
- Report writing.
Special Knowledge/Skills
Essential
- Excellent organisational and time management skills.
-
- Computer skills.
- Communication skills (both oral and written).
- Ability to support and facilitate groups.
- Ability to write reports and keep records.
- Understanding of the impact of stigma and discrimination.
- Knowledge and understanding of health issues and the impact of poor health can have on the individual.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the philosophy and principles of co-production and service user and carer led recovery initiatives.
- Skills in supporting volunteers in Creative projects, in a community and/or other settings.
- Data handling skills.
- Ability to liaise and negotiate with a wide range of people internal and external to the organisation.
- Awareness/understanding of Caldicott & Information. Confidentiality/security issues.
- Ability to use initiative to deliver what is required.
- Understanding of project management principles.
Personal Attributes
Essential
- A current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).
- Ability to work with people in a supportive and empowering way.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- Self motivated and enthusiastic.
- Ability to prioritise and manage own work. Ability to work under pressure.
- Ability to work independently while making sure to refer to a manager for guidance.
- Will be committed to the Trusts mission and values.
- Confident, Conscientious, Reliable.
- Recovery/strengths focused.
Desirable
- Emotional Maturity/ range of life experience.
- Flexibility and adaptable.
- Sense of humour.
- Energy/drive, enthusiasm and tenacity.
- Patient, Non-judgmental, Respectful and Compassionate.
- Quick learner.
- Team player.
Physical Attributes
Essential
- A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to NVQ level 3 or equivalent level of experience.
Desirable
- QCF Diploma in Health & Social Care Level 4 or equivalent or equivalent level of experience.
Person Specification
Training
Desirable
- Mental Health Awareness Training, Mental Health First Aid Training.
-
- Completion of own Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) or whole life plan.
Experience
Essential
- Lived experience of using mental health and/or physical health services or being a carer.
- Wide range of life experiences to bring an enabling and positive view of opportunities for others.
- Computer/keyboard skills using MS software.
- Experience of being in a supportive and enabling role.
- Experience of working in a team or a group environment.
- To be willing and able to share ones own personal recovery in order to help others.
Desirable
- Experience of supporting the development of projects.
- Experience of partnership working and networking.
- Experience of facilitating groups and /or chairing meetings.
- Experience of working in the public sector.
- Customer Care.
- Office/administrative experience.
- Experience of using ViewPoint real time patient experience system.
- Information management experience including: Data input, collection & collation, setting up spreadsheets or files.
- Experience in the use of database software i.e. SPSS, Excel, Access.
- Report writing.
Special Knowledge/Skills
Essential
- Excellent organisational and time management skills.
-
- Computer skills.
- Communication skills (both oral and written).
- Ability to support and facilitate groups.
- Ability to write reports and keep records.
- Understanding of the impact of stigma and discrimination.
- Knowledge and understanding of health issues and the impact of poor health can have on the individual.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the philosophy and principles of co-production and service user and carer led recovery initiatives.
- Skills in supporting volunteers in Creative projects, in a community and/or other settings.
- Data handling skills.
- Ability to liaise and negotiate with a wide range of people internal and external to the organisation.
- Awareness/understanding of Caldicott & Information. Confidentiality/security issues.
- Ability to use initiative to deliver what is required.
- Understanding of project management principles.
Personal Attributes
Essential
- A current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).
- Ability to work with people in a supportive and empowering way.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- Self motivated and enthusiastic.
- Ability to prioritise and manage own work. Ability to work under pressure.
- Ability to work independently while making sure to refer to a manager for guidance.
- Will be committed to the Trusts mission and values.
- Confident, Conscientious, Reliable.
- Recovery/strengths focused.
Desirable
- Emotional Maturity/ range of life experience.
- Flexibility and adaptable.
- Sense of humour.
- Energy/drive, enthusiasm and tenacity.
- Patient, Non-judgmental, Respectful and Compassionate.
- Quick learner.
- Team player.
Physical Attributes
Essential
- A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to NVQ level 3 or equivalent level of experience.
Desirable
- QCF Diploma in Health & Social Care Level 4 or equivalent or equivalent level of experience.
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.
