Overview
The role of Carer Peer Support Worker has been developed specifically for people who have supported a friend or loved one who is experiencing mental distress. Carer peer support workers use their experiences of caring to offer empathy, hope and understanding to others. In this role, the carer peer support worker will offer peer support alongside practical assistance to enable people to feel in control of their lives and their own unique recovery process. Within a relationship of mutuality and shared experience, they will promote choice, self-determination and opportunities for the fulfilment of socially valued roles and connection to local communities.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is £26.40 (standard) or £54.40 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first 2 months of employment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of £16 per year applies.
You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of £16 per year applies.
Main duties of the job
* The role of carer peer support worker has been developed specifically for people who have supported a friend or loved one who is experiencing mental distress.
* Offer peer support alongside practical assistance to enable people to feel in control of their lives and their own recovery process.
* Promote choice, self-determination and opportunities for the fulfilment of socially valued roles and connection to local communities.
* Establish supportive relationships with Carers and people using mental health services based on the core principles of peer support (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 and identify personal recovery goals and a Carers Crisis plan if required.
* Support others in achieving their identified goals, including signposting to other organisations and opportunities.
* Offer Carer Support sessions; either 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.
* Raise awareness of recovery language among Trust staff by modelling positive, strengths based, non-discriminatory, non-jargon, non-medicalised language in all areas of work.
* Embrace opportunities to work with people in a recovery focused way and undertake duties that are a reasonable expectation of the role.
* Maintain strengths focused clinical records.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
* Experience of being in a supportive and enabling role.
* Working with service users experiencing complex mental health.
* Lived experience of caring for a loved one who has undergone mental distress.
Desirable
* Experience of being on an inpatient ward.
* Experience of working in a team.
* Experience of training, teaching, coaching/mentoring others.
* Experience of using a range of self-management or recovery tools and techniques.
* Experience of working across different organisational boundaries.
Training/Qualifications
Essential
* Completion of, or willingness to complete Peer Support Worker Training
* Completion of own wellness plan (there is no expectation for this to be shared)
* Completion of a Family Therapy course (for example BFT), or willingness to undertake
Desirable
* Willingness to undertake further training in line with the development of peer support and carer peer support
* Mental Health related qualification e.g. Certificate in Community Mental Health or equivalent
* Level of educational attainment to NVQ 3/AS Level or equivalent
Knowledge
Essential
* Understanding of the core principles or 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 skills
* Ability to use personal experiences to support others and demonstrate empathy
* Ability to reflect on experiences and working practice personally and in group settings
* Aware of written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills
* Able to use Trust IT systems
* Able to build inclusive relationships with a wide range of people
* Able to create a safe environment and use techniques to reduce anxiety and understand conflict
* Ability to maintain a healthy home/work life balance
* Ability to work within a team and in a flexible way
* Ability to work in an enabling and 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
* Ability to carry out practical tasks
* Positive and recovery focussed attitude to supporting others and working within teams
* Good organisational skills including time management
* Supportive to other colleagues with a patient, non-judgmental, respectful and compassionate attitude
Values and Behaviours
* All colleagues act in line with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Values: Trust, Honesty, Respect, Compassion, Teamwork
* Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and how it applies to the role
Physical requirements
* Must be able to perform the full range of duties
* Manual handling which may include manoeuvring of wheelchairs/trolleys/beds as needed
Contractual requirements
* Must be able to travel to a range of locations by own vehicle or by public transport
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.
Employer details
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Sherwood Oaks Hospital, Sherwood oaks Business Park, Sherwood Ave, Mansfield, NG18 4GW
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