Job summary
Are you a dedicated, compassionate individual committed to providing great care?
We are seeking a passionate Peer Support Worker to help us deliver a vital service to service users within a Low Secure Unit in Dartford.
We believe that people who have experienced, and who are living well with mental health problems, can be the most knowledgeable, skilled and inspirational supporters of others on the recovery journey.
As a Peer Support Worker, you will use your own experience of recovering from mental health issues to encourage, inspire and inform others, supporting them in their own journey of recovery, and acting as a role model. In this way, you can enable our service users to live as independently as possible and make the most of their potential.
We require a period of twelve months without using mental health services prior to applying.
If this sounds like the opportunity you have been waiting for, come and join our diverse and compassionate team committed to delivering excellent care and support for service users and their loved ones.
Main duties of the job
- Building strong, supportive relationships with our Service Users
- Helping Service Users to set realistic and positive goals and empowering them to live fuller, more fulfilling lives
- Supporting the group programme on offer by sharing your own experiences
- Developing the service, and helping its users to get involved in this process
- Completing a range of administrative tasks
- Liaising widely with other staff and services within the community
- Promoting awareness of mental health and reducing stigma
About us
We are the Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. We care for the mental health and wellbeing of people across Kent and Medway. Our teams support adults with a wide range of mental health needs. Because we cover the whole county and both hospital and community settings, we can make care more joined up and easier to access for the 1.8 million people of Kent and Medway. Rated 'Good' by the CQC, we care for over 2,000 people in our hospitals and 54,000 in the community each year.
Our vision is simple: We are here to help communities not just live with mental illness, but live well. It's why we're passionate about working with communities to make mental health care better for everyone. And everything we do is guided by our values: caring, inclusive, curious and confident.
Join us - if you share our passion for better mental health care and want to be part of a team that's doing well together.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Working in Forensic Mental Health services is very rewarding but very demanding too. Service users are people with severe and complex mental health conditions (e.g. Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder and may be associated with Personality Disorder, Substance Misuse and PTSD) who are detained under the Mental Health Act (MHA), usually under sections related to treatment and public safety (e.g. Section 37/41). They may have a criminal history or be involved in the criminal justice system.
You would be working as part of a team of mental health experts, dedicated to making sure Service users have access to specialist care.
We offer ongoing professional development to help you adapt and progress your career, including bespoke training and a comprehensive induction program.
Please refer to the attached job description for full details and the main responsibilities of the role.
What is High Cost Area Allowance?The High-Cost Area (HCA) allowance, also referred to as London Weighting is a payment made to employees who work in London and the surrounding areas.
As this post is based in Dartford, Gravesham or Swanley, the successful applicant will receive an additional payment each month.
As this post is based in Dartford, Gravesham or Swanley, the successful applicant will receive an additional payment each month. 5% of basic salary, subject to a minimum payment of £1,258 and a maximum payment of £2,121. (the agreed annual amount will be divided into 12 equal amounts and paid monthly).
Job description
Job responsibilities
Working in Forensic Mental Health services is very rewarding but very demanding too. Service users are people with severe and complex mental health conditions (e.g. Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder and may be associated with Personality Disorder, Substance Misuse and PTSD) who are detained under the Mental Health Act (MHA), usually under sections related to treatment and public safety (e.g. Section 37/41). They may have a criminal history or be involved in the criminal justice system.
You would be working as part of a team of mental health experts, dedicated to making sure Service users have access to specialist care.
We offer ongoing professional development to help you adapt and progress your career, including bespoke training and a comprehensive induction program.
Please refer to the attached job description for full details and the main responsibilities of the role.
What is High Cost Area Allowance?The High-Cost Area (HCA) allowance, also referred to as London Weighting is a payment made to employees who work in London and the surrounding areas.
As this post is based in Dartford, Gravesham or Swanley, the successful applicant will receive an additional payment each month.
As this post is based in Dartford, Gravesham or Swanley, the successful applicant will receive an additional payment each month. 5% of basic salary, subject to a minimum payment of £1,258 and a maximum payment of £2,121. (the agreed annual amount will be divided into 12 equal amounts and paid monthly).
Person Specification
Qualifications
Desirable
- NVQ level 2 or an equivalent relevant qualification / experience
Experience
Essential
- Lived experience of mental health problems, addiction or the criminal justice system
- Willing to share own life experiences
- Experience of using mental health services
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to share personal story of recovery in a professional manner
- Knowledge of recovery focused ways of working
Desirable
- Good IT skills or willing to undergo training
Person Specification
Qualifications
Desirable
- NVQ level 2 or an equivalent relevant qualification / experience
Experience
Essential
- Lived experience of mental health problems, addiction or the criminal justice system
- Willing to share own life experiences
- Experience of using mental health services
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to share personal story of recovery in a professional manner
- Knowledge of recovery focused ways of working
Desirable
- Good IT skills or willing to undergo training
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.
