Job Summary
Carer peer support worker role developed for people who have supported a friend or loved one experiencing mental distress. Carer peer support workers use their experiences of caring to offer empathy, hope and understanding to others. They will provide peer support alongside practical assistance to enable people to feel in control of their lives and their own recovery process, within a relationship of mutuality and shared experience. They will promote choice, self-determination and opportunities for socially valued roles and connection to local communities.
Details
* Employer: Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
* Location: Sherwood Oaks Hospital, Sherwood oaks Business Park, Sherwood Ave, Mansfield NG18 4GW
* Department: Mental health services
* Salary: Band 3, £24,937 to £26,598 per annum (pro rata for part time)
* Contract: Permanent
* Working pattern: Part-time
* Reference: 186-1198-25-MH
Job Responsibilities
* Establish supportive relationships with Carers and people using mental health services based on core peer support principles: mutual, reciprocal, strengths-focused, safe, progressive, non-directive, recovery-focused and inclusive.
* Share personal experiences of caring, recovery and coping to build connection and inform support.
* Use active listening to help people develop self-understanding, identify personal recovery goals and create a Carers Crisis plan if required.
* Support others in achieving self-identified goals, including signposting to other organisations and opportunities.
* Offer Carer Support sessions (1:1 or groups) focusing on education and carer wellbeing.
* Support the assessment and treatment pathway for service users by gathering collateral information from Carers and providing regular updates.
* Role model recovery, personal responsibility and self-awareness.
* Promote recovery language among Trust staff by modelling positive, strengths-based, non-discriminatory, non-jargony language.
* Engage in recovery-focused work and undertake duties that are a reasonable expectation of the role to support the community team.
* Maintain strengths-focused clinical records.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
* Experience in a supportive and enabling role.
* Experience with service users experiencing complex mental health needs.
* Lived experience of caring for a loved one who has experienced mental distress.
Desirable
* Experience on an inpatient ward.
* Experience of working in a team.
* Experience of training, teaching, coaching or mentoring others.
* Experience of using self-management or recovery tools and techniques.
* Experience of working across organisational boundaries.
Training/Qualifications
Essential
* Completion of, or willingness to complete Peer Support Worker Training.
* Completion of own wellness plan.
* Completion of a Family Therapy course (e.g., BFT) or willingness to undertake.
Desirable
* Willingness to undertake further training in peer and carer peer support.
* Mental Health related qualification (e.g., Certificate in Community Mental Health or equivalent).
* Educational attainment to NVQ 3/AS Level or equivalent.
Knowledge
Essential
* Understanding of core principles/values of peer support.
* Personal understanding of how to manage stress and when to access support.
Desirable
* Knowledge of community resources.
Skills
Essential
* Active listening and empathy.
* Reflective skills for self and group practice.
* Effective written, verbal and non-verbal communication.
* Proficiency with Trust IT systems and maintaining inclusive relationships.
* Ability to create a safe environment and manage anxiety and conflict.
* Ability to balance home/work life and work flexibly within a team.
* Ability to work in an enabling, creative way where the person is the expert in their own recovery.
* Willingness to support people in ways they choose to meet their recovery goals.
* Practical task capability and good organisational skills.
* Positive, recovery-focused attitude and compassionate, non-judgmental approach.
Values and Behaviours
* Demonstrate Trust values: Trust, Honesty, Respect, Compassion, Teamwork.
* Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and related legislation.
Physical Requirements
* Ability to perform the full range of duties and manual handling as needed (e.g., moving wheelchairs or trolleys).
Contractual Requirements
* Must be able to travel to a range of locations by own vehicle or public transport.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a DBS check.
About the Employer
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health, community health, forensic and offender healthcare services across Nottinghamshire and surrounding areas. The Trust is committed to reducing carbon emissions and promoting wellbeing and inclusion across a diverse workforce.
Note: The post does not meet the pay level required for a Skilled Worker visa. Applicants requiring a Skilled Worker Visa should check eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship.
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