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Lived Experience Support Worker
The closing date is 30 July 2025
This post is for a Lived Experience Support Worker (also referred to as a Peer Support Worker or an Expert by Experience Support Worker) who will be embedded with the Primary Mental Health Requirement Treatment Team within the wider Liaison and Diversion Service.
Our team provides psychoeducation-based interventions over twelve weeks for service users who have had a Community Order for primary care mental health treatment. We do this work one-to-one in person, by video, or by telephone, and we offer a skills-based group virtually to all service users. Your role will be to work with us to provide additional lived experience support to service users going through the criminal justice system, helping them overcome challenges in their journey to recovery and wellbeing. You will do this holistically, being flexible in your approach to provide tailored support.
You may support by meeting service users for a coffee, joining them on their journey into their sessions, providing additional out-of-session support for their interventions, or developing activities that suit their needs and your skills. You will work independently with service users, jointly with an AP, or as part of a drop-in clinic. This is a dynamic role that will evolve, and you will be foundational in shaping the post to maximize its usefulness and impact.
Main duties of the job
Peer support is delivered through promoting empowerment and choice, and exploring meaning and purpose.
You will have a caseload of service users benefiting from your contact; working with the treating AP to develop personalized treatment plans. You will also help establish and run drop-in clinics at various Probation sites, working jointly with APs to offer skills and support on an ad hoc basis. Additionally, you will participate in team presentations about our work, ensuring the Lived Experience role is communicated effectively, gather feedback from service users, and develop your own projects of interest.
About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding organization, rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission. We aim to be the leading provider of mental health and learning disability services in the country.
Our over 4000 staff provide health and social care for over 400,000 people across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk, delivering services within the community and inpatient settings. We also offer specialized services including Tier 4 for children and young people, perinatal services, and secure learning disability services.
Our care makes a significant difference to service users, families, and carers, emphasizing choice, independence, and equality, underpinned by our core values:
Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.
Would you like to be part of the HPFT family? Join us to ensure our service users live fulfilling lives and support your career development.
Job responsibilities
Supporting individuals experiencing vulnerabilities such as mental health issues, learning disabilities, substance misuse, and other psychosocial challenges:
* Supporting individuals and groups using a peer-oriented approach
* Establishing therapeutic relationships with individuals navigating the criminal justice system, respecting confidentiality while recognizing circumstances requiring information sharing
* Being a positive role model for others overcoming vulnerabilities, colleagues, and the public
* Using your recovery story to inspire hope where appropriate
Job description
You will have the support of regular clinical supervision, peer supervision within your team, and external support from the Lived Experience lead and network. You will receive mandatory and optional training to support your role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* A recognized qualification related to the workplace or equivalent skills
* Evidence of commitment to lifelong learning
* Health care or relevant NVQ Level 3 or equivalent skills
Experience
* Experience working with people with mental health needs or other vulnerabilities, paid or voluntary
* Experience working as part of a team
* Experience of supervision
* Recent lived experience of mental health issues or other vulnerabilities, including involvement with the criminal justice system
* Managing personal recovery
* Knowledge of Peer Support, Recovery, and Wellbeing, and the ability to apply this in practice
* Experience running groups/activities
* Experience training others in technical, leisure, or creative skills
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, requiring a DBS check for any previous convictions.
Salary: £28,860 to £31,671 per year (pro rata), including 5% HCAS (£1,258 - £2,122)
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