Job summary
Due to newly acquired funding, we are looking to expand our provision of enhanced support for children and young people with autism and / or learning disabilities who are at risk of psychiatric admission.
The DICE team provides intensive support for children and young people with learning disabilities and/or autism during times of crisis and recovery when discharged back to the care of community services.
Our aim is to prevent avoidable hospital admissions, stabilise crises, and support recovery in the community.
The team provides short term intensive intervention, working collaboratively with individuals, families, carers, and local services, to stabilise and enable people to live safely and meaningfully in the community.
Peer Support Workers bring a unique and invaluable perspective, using their own lived experience of learning disabilities, autism, mental health challenges, to offer guidance, connection, and practical support
We are seeking a compassionate and motivated Peer Support Worker to join our team. This role is designed for people with lived experience of learning disabilities, autism, or mental health, who want to use their experience to support others in crisis or recovery in the community.
Main duties of the job
- Provide peer-based emotional and practical support.
- Use your lived experience to support individuals, their families and carers during periods of stress or crisis
- Work as part of the MDT, ensuring the voice of the individual shapes care planning and service delivery.
- Support engagement, recovery, and resilience during crisis periods through goal setting with individuals, accessing appropriate resources, and working collaboratively within and across care teams to ensure a collaborative approach.
About us
Welcome to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Our 4000 clinical and support staff help us to improve mental health wellbeing and meet the needs of the 70,000 people we serve each year. We provide a range of mental healthcare services across Birmingham and Solihull, as well as specialised services nationally. We also offer medical, nursing and psychology training and are proud of our international reputation for both research and innovation.
Our population is culturally diverse, characterised in places by high levels of deprivation which create an increasing demand for our services and a necessity for us to make sure everyone can access the help they need. We are a team of compassionate, inclusive and committed people working together to provide excellent care to support our community. If you are looking for a place to belong, where you can make a real difference to people's lives, join our team where our warm welcome is waiting for you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information about the main responsibilities please view the attached job description and person specification.
We are unable to support applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work the United Kingdom (UK)
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information about the main responsibilities please view the attached job description and person specification.
We are unable to support applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work the United Kingdom (UK)
Person Specification
Training and Qualifications
Essential
- Lived experience of learning disability, autism, mental health challenges, or of caring for someone with these experiences.
- Satisfactory level of Secondary education to GCSE English A-C grade or 9-4 grade or equivalent (may be working toward this).
Desirable
- Training in PBS or autism awareness
- NVQ/QCF Level 2 or 3 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent).
- Accredited peer support training
Experience
Essential
- Personal or carer experience of navigating crisis and/or support services.
- Experience of providing informal support, mentoring, or advocacy.
- Experience in using personal experience to support others and demonstrate empathy
Desirable
- Experience of working in crisis or intensive support services.
- Experience of co-production, service user involvement, or community engagement.
- Experience of group facilitation or peer support delivery.
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of learning disability, autism and mental health.
- Strong leadership, organisational, and MDT collaboration skills.
- Commitment to person-centred, inclusive practice.
- Enthusiasm for service development and continuous learning.
- Respect for dignity, equality, and rights.
- Compassionate, respectful, and non-judgemental.
- Commitment to inclusion, co-production, and equality.
- Reliability, adaptability, and openness to learning.
- Willingness to reflect and develop through supervision
- Able to create a safe environment and use techniques to reduce anxiety and understand conflict
- Competent at using IT software
Desirable
- Basic knowledge of Positive Behavioural Support and recovery principles.
- Awareness of safeguarding principles.
Personal qualities
Essential
- Able to work as a member of a team
- Awareness of personal strengths and limitations
- Able to meet the travel requirements of the role
Person Specification
Training and Qualifications
Essential
- Lived experience of learning disability, autism, mental health challenges, or of caring for someone with these experiences.
- Satisfactory level of Secondary education to GCSE English A-C grade or 9-4 grade or equivalent (may be working toward this).
Desirable
- Training in PBS or autism awareness
- NVQ/QCF Level 2 or 3 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent).
- Accredited peer support training
Experience
Essential
- Personal or carer experience of navigating crisis and/or support services.
- Experience of providing informal support, mentoring, or advocacy.
- Experience in using personal experience to support others and demonstrate empathy
Desirable
- Experience of working in crisis or intensive support services.
- Experience of co-production, service user involvement, or community engagement.
- Experience of group facilitation or peer support delivery.
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of learning disability, autism and mental health.
- Strong leadership, organisational, and MDT collaboration skills.
- Commitment to person-centred, inclusive practice.
- Enthusiasm for service development and continuous learning.
- Respect for dignity, equality, and rights.
- Compassionate, respectful, and non-judgemental.
- Commitment to inclusion, co-production, and equality.
- Reliability, adaptability, and openness to learning.
- Willingness to reflect and develop through supervision
- Able to create a safe environment and use techniques to reduce anxiety and understand conflict
- Competent at using IT software
Desirable
- Basic knowledge of Positive Behavioural Support and recovery principles.
- Awareness of safeguarding principles.
Personal qualities
Essential
- Able to work as a member of a team
- Awareness of personal strengths and limitations
- Able to meet the travel requirements of the role
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.
