An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and compassionate Peer Support Specialist to join our team at the Hellingly Centre.
We are looking for someone whose personal values and behaviours are in keeping with our Trusts values:
People first: People are at the heart of everything we do
Future focused: We are optimistic, we learn and we always try to improve
Embracing change: We are bold, innovative and disciplined about making use of our resources to continuously improve
Working together: We provide services in partnership with patients, families and others
Everyone counts: We value, appreciate and respect each other
If you are passionate about using your lived experience to support others in their recovery, to achieve their goals and live more fulfilling lives, this could be the perfect role for you.
Main duties of the job
* Effectively communicating the core values and underpinning principles of peer support to service users, carers and other professionals, aiding others understanding of peer support roles and their value within teams and service users care.
* Working alongside the multidisciplinary team, establishing professional relationships with colleagues.
* Establishing mutual and reciprocal relationships with service users by listening to their experiences and journey, including leading to their admission to hospital and supporting them to consider their current goals and hopes and plans for the future.
* Working with service users individually and in groups, in a peer‑led way, supporting them to meet needs holistically, e.g. education, welfare, employment, financial, leisure, housing and spiritual.
* Utilising your lived experience to support individuals and sharing parts of your own recovery story, where appropriate, to inspire hope. Being a positive role model for others overcoming mental health challenges, including service users, other workers and families or carers.
* Supporting and enabling individuals to resolve conflicts and regain control, responsibility, hope and enjoyment based on the principles of peer supported recovery.
* Supporting service users to engage in participation, co‑production and service development opportunities, through the Working Together Group and other means and working on service development projects aligned with these areas.
About us
The Hellingly Centre is a modern purpose‑built medium secure unit specialising in the assessment and treatment of people with complex and enduring mental health needs, who have had contact with the criminal justice system.
There are four specialist wards (three male medium secure wards and one female blended secure ward), each with a strong multidisciplinary team.
The centre offers a range of therapy facilities including a gym, shop, music, woodwork and art rooms and Badger’s Café, as well as allotment space on‑site.
The centre is situated within the beautiful Hellingly Country Park; the Cuckoo Trail is also very close by. The local town of Hailsham is under 10 minutes away by car. There is a direct bus link to Eastbourne.
There is a small gym on‑site which is available for staff to use. Badger’s Café is on site and sells a good selection of hot drinks, meals and snacks. There is a large car park and parking is free.
Job responsibilities
In this role you will be supported by the Trusts central peer support team who offer mentoring, training and networking opportunities.
For any questions please contact Amy Boot, Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist - amy.boot@nhs.net / 07471 034261.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* A recognised Peer Support qualification
* Health care or relevant NVQ Level 3 or equivalent skills acquired through experience or formal teaching qualification
* Evidence of a commitment to lifelong learning
Knowledge
* Experience of working with people with mental health difficulties
* Experience of working with groups/activities
* Comprehensive knowledge of Peer Support, Recovery and Wellbeing in mental health and ability to apply this throughout your work
* Lived experience of mental health issues/difficulties
* Managing personal mental health and recovery
* Experience of training others in technical/leisure/creative skills
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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