Peer Support Worker | Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Chelmsford is seeking a Peer Support Worker to assist service users in recovery through shared lived experiences. Responsibilities include supporting individuals one-on-one, assisting in care planning, and facilitating group activities. The ideal candidate should have prior experience with perinatal mental health challenges and an understanding of recovery principles. The role offers flexible working arrangements and various employee benefits.

Benefits

Season Ticket Loans

NHS discounts for staff

Excellent training facilities

Buying and selling annual leave scheme

Opportunity to work bank shifts

Qualifications

• Must have personal lived experience with perinatal mental health concerns.
• Motivated candidates who share Trust values of Care, Learn, and Empower.

Responsibilities

• Support service users or patients on a one-to-one basis.
• Assist individuals in developing care and recovery plans.
• Facilitate group work and engage people in activities.
• Regularly meet with supervisors for guidance and support.

Skills

Lived experience of perinatal mental health challenges

Ability to support recovery

Experience in advocating for mental health services

Job description

Please note you must have the right to work in the UK to apply for this position.

Due to current Home Office Guidelines, we are unable to sponsor this job role.

The Rainbow Mother and Baby Unit is a specialist 6 bedded unit. The unit provides mental health care and treatment for women during the late stages of pregnancy and up to one year after the birth of their baby.

The Rainbow Unit aims to:

• Deliver the highest quality of care to mothers and their babies in a safe, friendly and supportive environment.
• Maintain the safety of all mothers and their babies whilst treating the mother’s mental illness.
• Offer support to the families and carers involved in the mother’s and or baby’s care.
• Help sustain the developing relationship between mother, baby and other family members

Through the understanding of the Peer Support Worker (PSW) in relation to lived experiences within inpatient settings, the hope and reflection of recovery can be promoted within perinatal services

An essential criteria of this role, is the right candidate must have personal lived experience as someone who has been challenged by Perinatal Mental Health concerns previously at inpatient status or been supported within community perinatal mental health services.

Using your own lived experiences, the role of the Peer Support Worker (PSW) is to support and understand the impact of accessing services when experiencing mental health challenges.

As a PSW, you will work collaboratively with service users and the wider MDT to support the implementing of care and promoting recovery.

You will provide support and understanding to care givers and family members whilst underpinning recovery principles and socially inclusive practice

PSW's can support in building therapeutic relationships with service users to promote choice, offer advocacy support and understanding of position through lived experiences of being admitted to a Mother and Baby Unit.

EPUT are looking for motivated staff who share our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including:

• Season Ticket Loans
• NHS discounts for staff
• Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
• Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
• The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
• Day One Flexible Employer

The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment

Responsibilities

As a Peer support worker, you will have a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• Working one to one and supporting service users or patients
• Helping to support individuals to develop goals
• Supporting people in care planning
• Helping people engage with activities
• Supporting group work
• Helping support people develop recovery plans
• Regular 1-1 meetings including review with supervisor to discuss any challenges and talk through sessions
• Meeting regularly with a small group of volunteers to discuss general topics, daily guidelines, and handovers.
• Participating in activities such as tutoring, mentoring, or creating and running a workshop for a class as volunteers or one-on-one meetings.
• Providing guidance, tutoring, and social support to volunteers, fellow students, or others interested in learning more about PSW.
• Coordinating volunteer opportunities with local non-profit organizations or community groups.
• Organizing support groups or peer-led clubs focused on PSW.

An essential criteria of this role, is the right candidate must have personal lived experience as someone who has been challenged by Perinatal Mental Health concerns previously at inpatient status or been supported within community perinatal mental health services.

EEO statement: We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sectors of the community.