Peer Support Worker - CAMHS

The Methodist Church in Britain; England; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday entitlement

Pension 14.5%

Staff discounts

Relocation package

Season ticket loans

Supervision and support

Wellbeing services

Diversity networks

Job summary

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a peer support worker for a CAMHS inpatient unit. The role focuses on one-to-one and group sessions, using lived experience to mentor young people during their stay and to represent them at multidisciplinary meetings.

Applicants should have NVQ Level 3 or equivalent and experience in health or social care, with a strong emphasis on youth mental health and administrative accuracy. Sponsorship is not available.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent, with a good standard of education.
• Experience in health, social care or voluntary sector with people who have experienced mental health problems.
• Lived experience of mental health problems and the inpatient environment.
• Good IT skills, including Outlook and Excel.
• Understanding of goal setting when delivering mental health support.
• Understanding of common mental health challenges faced by young people.
• Nice to have: previous peer support experience.
• Nice to have: Mental Health First Aid training.
• Nice to have: use of patient record systems to record client activity.
• Nice to have: knowledge of the Mental Health Act.

Responsibilities

• Build a supportive, respectful relationship with young people on the unit.
• Hold regular one-to-one and group sessions as agreed with the service manager and team leader.
• Help young people set achievable, meaningful recovery goals alongside the psychology and nursing teams.
• Use own lived experience to inspire hope, model self-awareness and build young people's resourcefulness.
• Attend daily multidisciplinary team meetings, weekly ward reviews and CPA reviews on an ad hoc basis.
• Act as an advocate for young people, bringing their voice to the wider MDT.
• Support young people through the complexities of their inpatient stay.
• Support therapeutic activities and accompany young people on trips out alongside other staff.
• Feed back concerns to the nurse in charge or ward manager.
• Document interactions with young people clearly and accurately.

Skills

IT skills

Outlook

Excel

Goal setting

Youth mental health

Lived experience in MH

Peer support (nice to have)

MH First Aid (nice to have)

EMR systems (nice to have)

MH Act knowledge (nice to have)

Education

NVQ Level 3

Tools

Patient record systems

Job description

Peer support worker post on a child and adolescent mental health (CAMHS) inpatient unit run by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust. The role centres on regular one-to-one sessions and group work, using the post-holder's own lived experience to mentor young people through their stay and to speak for them at multidisciplinary meetings. Lived experience of mental health problems and of inpatient care is central, and job share applications are welcome. Sponsorship is not available for this role.

What the job involves

• Build a supportive, respectful relationship with young people on the unit
• Hold regular one-to-one and group sessions as agreed with the service manager and team leader
• Help young people set achievable, meaningful recovery goals alongside the psychology and nursing teams
• Use own lived experience to inspire hope, model self-awareness and build young people's resourcefulness for managing their health and wellbeing
• Attend daily multidisciplinary team meetings, weekly ward reviews and CPA reviews on an ad hoc basis
• Act as an advocate for young people, bringing their voice to the wider MDT
• Support young people through the complexities of their inpatient stay
• Support therapeutic activities and accompany young people on trips out alongside other staff
• Feed back concerns to the nurse in charge or ward manager
• Document interactions with young people clearly and accurately

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent, with a good standard of education

Experience

• Working in health, social care or the voluntary sector with people who have experienced mental health problems
• Lived experience of mental health problems and the inpatient environment
• Working to a high standard of administrative procedures

Skills & knowledge

• Good IT skills, including Outlook and Excel
• Good understanding of the need for goal setting when delivering mental health support
• Good understanding of the common mental health challenges faced by young people

Nice to have

• Previous experience of delivering peer support
• Mental Health First Aid training
• Use of patient record systems to record client activity
• Good knowledge of the Mental Health Act

What’s offered

• 27 days holiday plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service
• Pension of up to 14.5% of pensionable pay
• Staff discounts, including Blue Light Card and NHS offers
• £8k relocation package if moving to Essex
• Interest-free season ticket loans for tram, rail or bus travel
• Supervision and support to help fulfil potential
• Access to mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling
• Inclusive community, engagement events and equality or champion networks