Senior Peer Support Worker

West London NHS Trust; London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK seeks a Senior Peer Support Worker to enhance mental health support within the community. This role requires strong lived experience of mental health challenges, collaborative skills, and a passion for aiding individuals in their recovery journey. As part of a multidisciplinary team, you will provide support and practical assistance to engage individuals with mental health services.

Qualifications

• Lived experience of mental health distress.
• Experience as a peer support worker.
• Experience contributing to research or audit projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide formalised peer support and practical assistance.
• Engage with local communities.
• Work within a multi-disciplinary team.

Skills

Computer Literacy

Understanding of recovery focused principles

Good organisational skills

Ability to support others

Good understanding of mental health concerns

Education

Completion of peer support work competencies as defined by ImROC

Evidence of further related training

Job description

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Do you want to be part of a team improving the way adult mental health care is provided in the community? Hounslow West Mental Health Integrated Network Team (MINT) is a community based service supporting people’s mental and physical health as well as social care needs. We work closely with the local GP practices, primary care networks, social services, voluntary sector and other organisations to provide interventions in a more collaborative way which are simpler and support joined-up, personalised treatment and care.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a senior peer support worker with a keen interest in providing outstanding support within mental health community settings. The Community Mental Health Framework represents a new approach to providing community-based integrated support, care and treatment for adults with mental health problems whatever their level of need.

Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this position

Main duties of the job

The role of senior peer support worker (SPSW) has been developed specifically for experienced peer support workers who have completed their accredited peer support worker training and meet the criteria in the competency framework for peer support workers as defined by ImROC. The SPSW will provide formalised peer support and practical assistance to help people to engage with their local communities and benefit from all the supports available locally. The post holder will be part of a multi-disciplinary team which will cover a Primary Care Network or locality and will work across networks to form a truly innovative and ground-breaking support structure.

Working for our organisation

West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.

Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ 4,500 staff, of whom 56% are BME. Our turnover for 2023-24 is £426m.

The Trust is rated as ‘Good’ overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as ‘Outstanding’.

The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached

The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Completion of peer support work competencies as defined by ImROC
• Evidence of further related training.

Experience

• Personal lived experience of mental health distress.
• Personal experience of accessing primary or secondary mental health service.
• Experience of working as a peer support worker
• Experience of working with peers and/ or clinicians using a co-production methodology within a work setting.
• Experience of contributing to a research project or audit
• Experience of collaborative working alongside professionals in either a statutory or non-statutory mental health service.
• Experience of group work interventions
• Experience of working as a peer trainer.

Knowledge

• Understanding of how lived experience of mental health problems can be used to support others
• Good understanding of recovery focussed principles and how they can influence support for service users
• Understanding of the issues and concerns that service users may have in relation to their care.
• Ability to support others in a recovery orientated way.
• Able to maintain the profile of the peer support service within a multidisciplinary/ multi-agency setting.
• Ability to receive highly complex and sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
• Computer Literacy.
• Knowledge of mental health policies and legislation that may contribute to support for service users
• Understanding the impact of stigma and discrimination on service users.
• Good organisational skills and time management.

Other Requirements

• Positive and approachable manner
• Enthusiasm and passion for working within mental health services