Job overview
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Specialist Psychological Therapies Service for Wigan and Leigh. The service provides diagnostic assessments and pre and post diagnostic support to autistic adults. This includes individual and group post diagnostic support sessions. The team is psychology lead and consists of Clinical psychologists, Assistant Psychologists, Advanced Practitioners, a Support worker and a Clinical Team Manager. The team also works closely with Experts by Experience to develop and deliver training.
Main duties of the job
The Peer Mentor will support members of the Specialist Psychological Therapy Service supporting the running of the community drop-in sessions, the delivery of the pre-assessment support and post diagnostic interventions including group and individual sessions.
Working for our organisation
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.
We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.
Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.
Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.
Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification
Staff benefits
1. Pay Enhancement.
2. 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
3. Excellent pension
4. Cycle to work scheme
5. Salary sacrifice car scheme
6. Wellbeing programme
Fuel Genie Fuel Cards (for applicable roles)
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
7. Has undertaken the NHS commissioned ImROC Autism Peer Support Worker Training / Trust Level 2 Award in Peer Support Work or is willing to do so as soon as the position is offered / or completed equivalent programme. and willing to work towards Level 2 (GCSE grade A-C) Competent in basic Microsoft Office applications, e-mail, Word, Teams, Powerpoint
8. Competent in Maths and English at Level 1 Functional Skills (equivalent to GCSE grade D-E) and willing to work towards Level 2 (GCSE grade A-C)
9. Competent in basic Microsoft Office applications, e-mail, Word, Teams, Powerpoint
Desirable criteria
10. Completed group facilitation skills training
11. Completed relevant skills training counselling skills
Experience
Essential criteria
12. Lived experience of autism and experience of accessing services and advocating for the rights of people with autism.
13. Experience of actively supporting people to identify and work towards achieving personal goals in a related social care or health setting (paid or unpaid).
Desirable criteria
14. Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
15. Experience of training others in the role of peer mentors
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
16. Demonstrate an understanding of Peer Support
17. Have a basic awareness of policies and procedures in relation to confidentiality, information sharing, and safeguarding children and vulnerable adults
18. An awareness of the equality act and Reasonable Adjustments
19. Demonstrate an understanding of professional boundaries
20. Have a basic awareness of equal opportunities legislation and understand the importance of recognising and respecting diversity and promoting inclusion
Desirable criteria
21. Basic knowledge of coping strategies emotions toolbox, energy accounting,
22. Knowledge and understanding of the autism and neuro-affirmative approaches
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
23. Aware of the limits of own competence, and responsibilities and know when to consult with or seek support from others
24. Communicate effectively with a wide range of people including people who use services, carers, other professionals, and members of the public.
25. Share own experiences appropriately in order to work in a neuro-affirmative way, validating other’s experiences, listening and empathising, whilst promoting and empowering hope
26. Motivate others and promote choice and empowerment
27. Handle challenging situations and behave in a professional manner.
28. Show commitment to one’s own professional development.
Desirable criteria
29. Group work skills skills in facilitating or presenting in groups
Other requirements
Essential criteria
30. Ability to travel to a range of locations within the service delivery footprint to attend sessions or meetings in a timely and efficient manner
Desirable criteria
31. Experience of working within a multicultural framework
The Trust mandates all post holders who require a DBS for their role to subscribe to the DBS Update Service. You will be required to enrol for this service for a fee of £16 per year and maintain registration throughout your employment with GMMH.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for posts at Greater Manchester Mental Health who have direct experience of mental health, learning disability or drug and alcohol services either as a service user or a carer.
The Trust is also committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We are aspiring to ensure our workforce is representative of the diverse communities that we serve, and we are strongly committed to removing barriers to employment for candidates from under-represented groups, for example BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ communities. If you would like to have an informal chat about the recruitment process for this role or would value some additional support, we’d love to hear from you.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications
A candidate may utilise the help of AI when writing job application. The assessment of an application is made on its entirety and most times AI-generated content does not fully grasp the context and requirements of the job one applies for thus producing inaccurate and misleading information, especially in the supporting statement section of an application that can lack real life examples of one’s achievements, success and challenges.
We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored. GMMH reserves the right to follow up with a candidate at the interview on specific responses and those examples used in the supporting statement to explore it further.
Sponsorship
We are proud to be an approved sponsor for the Skilled Worker visa. Applications from individuals who require sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications. Please be aware that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible roles and salary requirements on the UK Government’s website – click .
If you are offered a role with us and you require sponsorship, we will check your eligibility in line with the information on the above website. Your offer of employment could be withdrawn if the role is not eligible for sponsorship, and you are not otherwise able to evidence your right to work in the UK.
The Home Office introduces new changes from 09/04/2025 that impact the health and care sector, you may wish to familiarise with it.
Do you have experience outside the NHS?
We want to attract and retain people with diverse skills and experience, to deliver inclusive healthcare services to our communities.
We will consider relevant experience outside the NHS to calculate your salary on appointment.