Job summary
Following latest Home Office legislation, MPFT are unable to offer visa sponsorship for Band 2 and Band 3 HCSW roles. If it is identified that you require visa sponsorship your application may be withdrawn
Have you had lived experience of mental ill health and services? Would you like to support other people who are currently experiencing mental health issues? If so, we would like to hear from you as we have an exciting opportunity to join our Integrated Mental Health Team based in the Stafford and Surrounds area as a Peer Support Worker.
The role of peer support worker (PSW) has been developed specifically for people who have lived experience of mental health challenges. Through sharing wisdom from their own experiences, peer support workers will inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible in others.
As an integral and highly valued member of the multi-disciplinary team, the PSW will provide formalised peer support and practical assistance to service users in order for them to regain control over their lives and their own unique recovery journey.
Through sharing the wisdom of own lived experience, the PSW will inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible in others. Within a relationship of mutuality, they will facilitate and support information sharing to promote choice, self-determination and opportunities for the fulfilment of socially valued roles and connection to local communities.
Main duties of the job
A key feature of this post is to promote individual person-centred recovery by drawing on the peer support workers own personal lived experience of mental health challenges and of accessing mental health services.
As a pivotal and highly valued member of the team, peer support workers will have a case load of identified patients who they will work with on both an individual basis and by delivering group interventions, working in collaboration with the wider multi-disciplinary team.
This formalised peer support will allow the post holder to provide a safe space for individuals to talk and make sense of their experiences whilst sharing wisdom from their own recovery to inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible.
They will promote choice, self-determination and opportunities and assist the individual to set and achieve their own unique recovery goals and recognising that each individual's recovery is a distinctive and deeply personal process.
Their work may also involve providing practical assistance such as encouraging healthy lifestyles, helping individuals to build confidence, and offering information, advice and support to form connections within their local community resources.
About us
Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.
We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.
We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.
We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.
Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications
Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.
Job responsibilities
The PSW will take a lead role in embedding recovery values within the service setting in which they work, alongside other Trust recovery champions, and act as an ambassador of recovery for the Trust with external agencies and partner organisations.
The PSW will also have the opportunity to co-work with other colleagues and there will be some opportunities for group work. The PSW will work under Natalie Downing and receive professional supervision From The Professional Lead for Lived Experience Practice and Peer Support.
The Integrated Mental Health teams work as part of a 'neighbourhood' offering place-based provision of mental health services in partnership with other local organisations. Clinicians within the IMHT will offer interventions and treatments which are concordant with NICE guidelines, and allocation within the team will be based on the needs of the service user, matching clinician skills to service user needs.
If you have any questions about the role, please contact Natalie Downing (Neighbourhood Lead) Natalie.downing@mpft.nhs.uk
Person Specification
Qualifications and training
* Own personal experience of accessing secondary mental health services.
* English language literacy and numeracy skills to the standard necessary to provide clear, understandable records on computerised system and fulfil job description.
* Health Education England Peer Support Work training or equivalent experience and willingness to complete this
Desirable
* Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings (statutory or voluntary).
Interview
Essential
* Previous experience of offering formal/informal peer support to people who are navigating recovery / experiencing mental illness from a range of different backgrounds and cultures.
* Experience of working independently and as a part of a team (paid or voluntary).
* Experience of using own history in a boundaried approach to support others in similar situations.
Desirable
* Previous experience of being in a peer support role (paid or voluntary).
* Previous experience of being involved in involvement, engagement and co-production opportunities
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES
Essential
* Basic knowledge of the principles of peer support.
* Knowledge of recovery focused ways of working and ability to demonstrate these in practice.
* Understanding the challenges which co-exist alongside common mental health illnesses
Desirable
* A basic understanding of coproduction and community asset development.
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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