Job summary
Do you have prior lived experience of ill-mental health, either yourself, or as a carer?
This post is recruiting for a Peer Support Worker within the Oxford Health Oxfordshire Adult Mental Health Service.
Peer Support Workers (PSWs) are individuals with personal experience of mental health challenges or who have supported/cared for someone with such challenges. They use empathy informed by their own experiences to support service users and families accessing mental health services. We seek compassionate people who work well in teams, are highly motivated, and have excellent written and verbal communication skills. Training will be provided, including the opportunity to complete the nationally recognized care certificate.
Ashurst ward is an 11-bed male Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit for those with acute or severe mental illnesses, often with co-morbidities, requiring treatment not feasible in the community or standard ward settings.
Oxford Health offers the Peer Support Training programme as a nationally recognized Level 3 Apprenticeship, fully funded by Oxford Health.
The Peer Worker Apprenticeship lasts approximately 15-19 months, depending on whether the role is full-time or part-time (22.5-37.5 hours).
Main duties of the job
The responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
1. Drawing on lived experience of mental health to provide emotional and practical support to promote recovery, including preventing admission and supporting inpatient recovery by helping individuals identify and build support networks.
2. Supporting service users to engage effectively with care and access appropriate services.
3. Using active listening and personal experience to inspire hope, offer empathy, empowerment, confidence, and validate feelings.
4. Building relationships based on mutuality to facilitate support in developing independence, dignity, and self-respect.
5. Challenging discrimination and reducing stigma associated with mental ill health where appropriate.
6. Promoting independent living through role modeling recovery journeys.
About us
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health, and social care across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath, and North East Somerset. Services are delivered in community settings, hospitals, clinics, and homes, aiming to provide care close to home.
Our vision: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"
Our values: "Caring, safe, and excellent"
Benefits include:
* Career progression opportunities
* Tailored learning and development
* 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with service
* NHS discounts
* Competitive pension scheme
* Lease car and cycle-to-work schemes
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Mental Health First Aiders
* Staff accommodation (waiting list may apply)
* Support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team
Job details
Posted on: 01 May 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
Band: Band 3
Salary: £24,625 - £25,674 per year + £1475 PICU Allowance
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time/Part-time
Location: Littlemore Mental Health Centre, Sandford Road, Littlemore, Oxford, OX4 4XN
Job responsibilities
Eligibility for the Apprenticeship requires GCSE/Level 2 Maths and English qualifications. Evidence must be provided. If not held, applications are still welcome, but functional skills courses in Maths and/or English must be completed before enrolling.
All new Peer Support Workers will receive training and support from a tutor and supervisor during working hours.
Please review the attached eligibility criteria document carefully.
Interviews are scheduled for 17th and 18th June. Please inform us if you cannot attend these dates; alternative arrangements may be available.
#J-18808-Ljbffr