Perinatal Peer Support Worker

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust; Norwich; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

An established healthcare provider is seeking a compassionate Peer Support Worker to join their dedicated Perinatal Community Mental Health Team. This role is perfect for individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges who are eager to inspire and support others. As a valued team member, you will engage directly with service users, helping them navigate their recovery journey and build confidence in their abilities. The organization offers comprehensive training and a supportive environment, making it an ideal opportunity for those looking to make a meaningful impact in mental health care. If you are passionate about helping others and have a personal recovery story, this role could be the perfect fit for you.

Qualifications

• Personal lived experience of mental health difficulties and recovery.
• Commitment to completing the NSFT PSW course.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one support and group sessions to service users.
• Act as a role model using personal recovery experience.

Skills

Understanding of the Recovery model

Knowledge of Mental Health issues

Ability to travel independently

Education

PSW training course or equivalent

Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care

Level 3 Award in Adult Education & Training

Job description

Site Kingfisher House, Hellesdon Hospital, Town Norwich Salary £24,071 - £25,674 gross per annum/pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 13/02/2025 23:59

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust provides child and adult mental health services, learning disability, wellbeing, older people's and eating disorder services across Norfolk and Suffolk.

We are looking to recruit a peer support worker (PSW) to join our Perinatal Community Mental Health Team (PCMHT). This will be covering the North Norfolk and City patch. PCMHT is a specialist service providing assessments and treatment to women and birthing people who are experiencing or are at an increased risk of experiencing mental health difficulties during pregnancy and up until the child’s first birthday.

The PSW role has been developed specifically for people who have lived experience of mental health difficulties. Therefore, if you have lived experience of recovery from mental health difficulties, ideally including experience of secondary mental health services and/or perinatal mental health difficulties, then this role could be for you.

Main duties of the job

As a PSW, your time will involve direct contact with service users on a one-to-one basis as well as in group settings. You will be a valued member of our multidisciplinary team, attend weekly team meetings and be provided with supervision and training. You will be part of a multidisciplinary team including Consultants, Clinical Psychologists, Peer Support Workers, Nursery Nurses, Parent and Infant Therapists, Systemic Family Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Mental Health Nurses, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Assistant Practitioners, Social workers and Team Managers.

As a PSW, you will be acting as a role model by using your own lived experience of recovering from mental health issues, to inspire hope and help service users to develop a belief in their own abilities to deal with various situations; the confidence to have control over their own motivation, behaviour, and social environment; and the ability to successfully achieve their goals in life.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We do not ask for candidates to have experience of being a trained PSW in advance of applying for a role as we will provide full training once in post. If you are not already an accredited PSW you will be required to complete and pass the NSFT Peer Support Training Programme. This six-month programme requires self-study and attending weekly workshops.

Person specification

Qualifications

• PSW training course or Commitment to completing the NSFT PSW course or an equivalent PSW training programme.
• Care Certificate must be achieved within first 12 weeks of employment.
• Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care or equivalent qualification/ experience.
• Level 3 Award in Adult Education & Training

Experience

• Personal lived experience of mental health difficulties and personal recovery
• Carer (indirect) lived experience supporting someone through their recovery
• Experience of receiving care under Secondary Mental Health Services

Skills

• Understanding/knowledge ‘embodiment’ of the Recovery model.

Knowledge

• Understanding of Mental Health issues
• Key principles of recovery and peer support

Other

• Ability to travel independently.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES Apart from its legal duties in relation to equality and diversity, the Trust recognises and actively promotes the benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief.

As a part of the Disability Confident Employer Guaranteed Interview Scheme we interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job vacancy (outlined in the Person Specification).. We encourage you to indicate your eligibility through TRAC jobs when applying.