Peer Support Worker

We are excited to introduce this new role, aligned with the principles of the IPS model. You will have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference to peoples lives, offering hope, direction and practical support as part of their recovery journey. This is a rewarding but challenging role, requiring resilience, empathy and dedication. With a positive, can do approach, you will build trusting relationships with clients, understand their goals, and work alongside the wider IPS team to help individuals realise their employment aspirations. The role involves: Encouraging individuals to engage with the service, potentially through sharing lived experience and personal achievements Enhancing employment-focused workshops by harnessing the therapeutic value of peer support Managing your time effectively and working autonomously, with regular supervision from Employment Specialists and oversight from the Team Leaders/Service Manager, SERVICE PROVISION To provide rehabilitation and recovery-based services that enable people to define, build and live a meaningful, independent and satisfying life The role of the Peer Support Worker is to deliver specific components of prescribed care packages under the direct supervision of Care Coordinators and Clinical Leads. The post holder will provide formalised support and assistance to service users in order for them to take control over their own lives and engage actively in their unique recovery process. We welcome applications from people with lived experience of mental health difficulties, and the service encourages the use of the wisdom and skills gained through personal lived experience, to inspire hope in others and the belief that recovery is possible for all. Within a relationship of mutuality, the peer support model can facilitate and support information sharing to promote choice, self-determination and opportunities for the fulfilment of socially valued roles with connection to local communities. The post holder will be part of a clinical team and will work into the inpatient units and also within the community with service users that are within a mental health and require support. The post requires effective liaison with service users, carers, and other professionals and agencies as required. It will involve the provision of direct psychological based care, offering therapeutic time to a defined client group or on a case-by-case basis working at all times within the principles of recovery. You will be supporting individuals with complex social and mental health histories; we will therefore provide a framework of supervision and trust wellbeing initiatives to enable you to support your own wellbeing and manage the boundaries of the role. The service provision is from Monday to Sunday between the hours of 8am and 8pm with flexibility depending on and responding to the needs of the service users., To promote social inclusion for clients by facilitating and supporting access to a variety of community-based opportunities including work, social groups, education, spiritual pursuits, leisure activities to ensure holistic well-being. Help individuals identify their own achievable and meaningful recovery goals and collaboratively set recovery objectives in line with service care pathway and supervision of senior team members. Involvement in the process of effective risk management including assessment, planning, intervention and on-going monitoring of risk factors. Where personal experience allows drawing on mutual resources as peers and utilising a range of recovery tools, techniques and experience. To actively support service users in line with their care plans and support their recovery, using approaches that promote hope and optimism. To promote the physical health and wellbeing for clients by facilitating and supporting access to relevant screening and information around medication, diet, nutrition, exercise, sensible drinking and smoking cessation To participate as requested, in multidisciplinary reviews and other clinical meetings to ensure effective communication and a comprehensive approach to service users care. Work in a way that acknowledges the personal, social, cultural and spiritual strengths and needs of the individual. To act at all times with courtesy towards service users, relatives and other visitors to the service and support them as appropriate or direct them to a suitably experienced team member. To maintain accurate and up to date service user electronic records as required by trust policy and procedures and any local working instructions. To contribute to clinical reports and feedback as requested. To always consider possible high-risk situations and the need to communicate these to other workers. To participate in decision making processes and carry out agreed plans of care. For full job description, please see attached supporting documents. We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. Over reliance on AI-generated content in application forms is strongly discouraged and we will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

We are particularly keen to hear from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences, including those with lived experience of mental health services or IPS employment support.,

• GCSE A-D or grade 3-9 in Maths and English or equivalent
• Apprenticeship level 3 or equivalent eg, RQF(regulated Qualification Framework) level 3 in Peer Support/Working or be willing to work towards this. (preferably accredited).
• Or, level 2 qualification with the ability to demonstrate competencies at level 3
• Care Certificate or required to achieve within 12 weeks of commencement
• Willingness to undertake further training in line with the development of peer support., QCF Diploma in Health & Social Care Level 3 or equivalent or equivalent level of experience
• Mental Health Awareness Training, Mental Health First Aid Training.
• Completion of own Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) or whole life plan, A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential, dependant on the service you will be working in. (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability)
• Ability to work with people in a supportive and empowering way.
• Able to demonstrate effective communication skills verbal, non-verbal and written
• Work within the culture of improving working lives and working time directive
• Ability to demonstrate ethical values and attitudes within a culture of equality and diversity
• Good organisational skills
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Self motivated and enthusiastic.
• Ability to prioritise and manage own work. Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to work independently while making sure to refer to a manager for guidance.
• Will be committed to the Trusts mission and values.
• Confident, Conscientious, Reliable
• Recovery/strengths focused, Emotional Maturity/ range of life experience
• Flexibility and adaptable
• Sense of humour
• Energy/drive, enthusiasm and tenacity
• Patient, Non-judgmental, Respectful and Compassionate
• Quick learner
• Team player, Good organisational and time management skills.
• Computer skills
• Communication skills (both oral and written)
• Ability to support and facilitate groups.
• Ability to write reports and keep records.
• Understanding of the impact of stigma and discrimination
• Knowledge and understanding of health issues and the impact of poor health can have on the individual, Knowledge of the philosophy and principles of co-production and service user and carer led recovery initiatives.
• Skills in supporting volunteers in Creative projects, in a community and/or other settings.
• Data handling skills
• Ability to liaise and negotiate with a wide range of people internal and external to the organisation.
• Awareness/understanding of Caldicott & Information Confidentiality/security issues
• Ability to use initiative to deliver what is required, The successful candidate will be supported to maintain a satisfactory sickness record by the Team Manager or Senior Peer support worker through the use of flexible working and substantial supervision, Lived experience of mental health services (secondary preferred) and able to reflect on their personal experience of recovery that has followed this
• Wide range of life experiences to bring an enabling and positive view of opportunities for others.
• Computer/keyboard skills using MS software
• Experience of being in a supportive and enabling role
• Experience of working in a team or a group environment
• To be willing and able to share ones own personal recovery in order to help others through lived experience
• Evidence of promoting/supporting active user/carer involvement/participation
• A positive approach to recovery
• Ability and willingness to disclose personal experience of recovery in order to influence others positively, Experience of supporting the development of services..
• Experience of partnership working and networking
• Experience of facilitating groups and /or chairing meetings
• Experience of working in the public sector
• Customer Care
• Office/administrative experience
• Information management experience including: Data input, collection & collation, Setting up spreadsheets or files
  
  We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.
Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers. We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities. Being a foundation Trust means were accountable to our members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust. Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

For many people experiencing mental health difficulties, the opportunity to find meaningful paid work can be life-changing. In this role, you will help bring hope, encouragement and belief to individuals who may be taking important steps towards employment and recovery. All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to have their up-to-date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients. You will be part of a supportive, values-driven IPS service that is fully integrated within community mental health teams. Working alongside IPS and clinical colleagues, you will help champion the message that people with mental health needs can work, want to work, and should be supported to achieve their employment aspirations.