Peer Support Worker

Job summaryWehave two exciting opportunities for a part time Band 3 Peer Support Worker(Expert by experience)- 0.6 wte (22.5 hours per week) , 18-month fixedterm/secondment within the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Early InterventionServices. One post will be based in Bromsgrove and the second in Hereford. Theservices address the needs of people aged 14-65 who have recently experienced afirst episode of psychosis, or aged 14-35, who may be at risk of developingpsychosis.The role requires you to have had a personal experience ofpsychosis and be at least one year post discharge from an Early Intervention InPsychosis Service. The post holder must be able to provide formalisedpeer support and practical assistance to patients within the service tounderstand their experience and promote an individual and unique recoveryprocess. Within a relationship of supportand peer information sharing, the post holder will promote choice,self-determination, and opportunities for the fulfilment of personally valuedroles and connection to local communities.For further information, or an informaldiscussion, please contact the following: Philip Cale on 01905 520 420(Worcestershire) or Sarah Lewis (Herefordshire) 01462 220100 Main duties of the jobThe main duties for a Peer Support Worker within our team includes(but not limited to):Establishing supportive and respectful relationships with serviceusersTo provide peer support whilst maintaining professionalboundaries Sharing ideas about ways of achieving Recovery goals, drawing on personalexperiences and a range of coping, self-help and self-management techniques. To sign-post to various resources, opportunities and activities withinthe Trust and in local communities (Voluntary sector). Supporting service users to attend appointments/meetings/activities oftheir choice and to offer support in practical tasks.Provide and promote health education; support and encourage thepatient to meet their own health and wellbeing needs.Provide support to the carers of patients/service users on theircaseload. Assist in groups to promote social inclusion, health and wellbeingand independence/recovery.Complete documentation accurately and contribute to reports ofpatients activity and progress in a timely manner.Participate in discussions about patient care including MDTs andsupervision.Maintain and develop skills through training and supervision.Liaise effectively and work collaboratively with colleagues, otherhealth professionals, teams and voluntary agenciesTo complete (if not already completed) the Trusts Peer supportworker training programmeAbout usAt Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, we are working together to deliver outstanding care. We run community hospitals and community health services across Worcestershire and provide mental health and learning disability services across both Herefordshire and Worcestershire.Our people (all 4500+ of them) provide services for people of all ages, experiencing both physical and/or mental health conditions from over 100 sites.We will support you to thrive; offer flexible working options for a great work-life balance, help you fulfil your ambitions, and empower you to make positive changes within your team or service. Its why we were named Large Apprenticeship Employer of the Year award at the 2022 Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards. We value diversity and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities.What we offer27 days leave plus bank holidays, increasing up to 33 days with long serviceGenerous NHS pension and enhanced pay when you work unsocial hoursFlexible and agile working opportunitiesGreat maternity, paternity, and adoption supportWide range of staff networks such as LGBT+ and ENRICH (Equality Network for Race Inclusion and Cultural Heritage)Health service discounts and online benefits including excellent cycle to work and car salary sacrifice schemesHealth and wellbeing opportunitiesIf you would like to know more, please visit our careers website.Job description Job responsibilitiesThe PSW will actas a recovery champion and an ambassador of recovery for the Trust withexternal agencies and partner organisations. There is also an expectation thatPSWs will be involved in the on-going development of peer roles in the Trustincluding the Peer Support Training Programme and evaluation.For full details of the duties and criteriafor the role please refer to the job description and person specificationattached.Job description Job responsibilitiesThe PSW will actas a recovery champion and an ambassador of recovery for the Trust withexternal agencies and partner organisations. There is also an expectation thatPSWs will be involved in the on-going development of peer roles in the Trustincluding the Peer Support Training Programme and evaluation.For full details of the duties and criteriafor the role please refer to the job description and person specificationattached.Person Specification Skills & Abilities Essential Good written, verbal and nonverbal communication skills e.g. ability to communicate their personal experience of Recovery. Basic IT skills in Outlook and Word and a willingness to learn the Trusts IT systems Able to relate to a wide range of people Ability to problem solve, think creatively and work in an enabling way. Understands, and able to maintain, professional boundaries Able to manage conflict and to help others to do so Ability to maintain a healthy home/work life balance High level of self-awareness ability to critically appraise own performance - and be open to constructive feedback Ability to assist people to develop recovery plans Willingness to support people with a range of needs to meet their recovery goals Ability to manage stress and to plan and prioritise workload Ability to carry out practical tasks Ability and willingness to work flexibly through prior arrangement as the needs of the job dictate including unsocial hours and weekends Desirable Computer literate in software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Internet Explorer, Outlook etc Additional Criteria Essential Emotional Maturity / range of life experience Flexibility and Reliability Energy / drive, enthusiasm and tenacity Patient, non-judgmental, respectful and compassionate Must be able to travel to a range of locations Ability to support service users to attend appropriate appointments etc. Knowledge Essential Understanding and practical knowledge of recovery Understanding of the issues and concerns of mental health service users Knowledge and commitment to service users rights Understanding of the impact of stigma and discrimination Desirable Appreciation of the community resources within the geographical location of the post and key partners Understanding of the service delivery goals of the care pathway Qualifications Essential Good level of secondary education to GCSE level i.e. A-C in Maths and English or equivalent, or able to demonstrate equivalent levels of literacy and numeracy skills Willingness to undertake further training in line with the development of peer support Completion of the Accredited Peer Support Worker Training (equivalent to 1 module at Level 4 training i.e., 20 credits) The post holder will be expected to meet the Care Certificate standards within 12 weeks of commencing employment with the Trust I understand that I will be asked to provide original certificates to verify my qualifications at point of offer Experience Essential Lived experience of secondary mental health services and able to reflect on their personal experience of Recovery that has followed this Wide range of life experiences to bring an enabling and positive view of opportunities for others Experience of being in a supportive and enabling role Desirable Experience of the health and social care service either paid or as a volunteer Experience of training, teaching, coaching/mentoring others Experience of working across different organisational boundaries Experience of working in a team or a group environment Experience of using a range of self-management or recovery tools and techniques Person Specification Skills & Abilities Essential Good written, verbal and nonverbal communication skills e.g. ability to communicate their personal experience of Recovery. Basic IT skills in Outlook and Word and a willingness to learn the Trusts IT systems Able to relate to a wide range of people Ability to problem solve, think creatively and work in an enabling way. Understands, and able to maintain, professional boundaries Able to manage conflict and to help others to do so Ability to maintain a healthy home/work life balance High level of self-awareness ability to critically appraise own performance - and be open to constructive feedback Ability to assist people to develop recovery plans Willingness to support people with a range of needs to meet their recovery goals Ability to manage stress and to plan and prioritise workload Ability to carry out practical tasks Ability and willingness to work flexibly through prior arrangement as the needs of the job dictate including unsocial hours and weekends Desirable Computer literate in software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Internet Explorer, Outlook etc Additional Criteria Essential Emotional Maturity / range of life experience Flexibility and Reliability Energy / drive, enthusiasm and tenacity Patient, non-judgmental, respectful and compassionate Must be able to travel to a range of locations Ability to support service users to attend appropriate appointments etc. Knowledge Essential Understanding and practical knowledge of recovery Understanding of the issues and concerns of mental health service users Knowledge and commitment to service users rights Understanding of the impact of stigma and discrimination Desirable Appreciation of the community resources within the geographical location of the post and key partners Understanding of the service delivery goals of the care pathway Qualifications Essential Good level of secondary education to GCSE level i.e. A-C in Maths and English or equivalent, or able to demonstrate equivalent levels of literacy and numeracy skills Willingness to undertake further training in line with the development of peer support Completion of the Accredited Peer Support Worker Training (equivalent to 1 module at Level 4 training i.e., 20 credits) The post holder will be expected to meet the Care Certificate standards within 12 weeks of commencing employment with the Trust I understand that I will be asked to provide original certificates to verify my qualifications at point of offer Experience Essential Lived experience of secondary mental health services and able to reflect on their personal experience of Recovery that has followed this Wide range of life experiences to bring an enabling and positive view of opportunities for others Experience of being in a supportive and enabling role Desirable Experience of the health and social care service either paid or as a volunteer Experience of training, teaching, coaching/mentoring others Experience of working across different organisational boundaries Experience of working in a team or a group environment Experience of using a range of self-management or recovery tools and techniques Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 Employer nameHerefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust AddressNew Brook, Princess of Wales Community Hospital Stourbridge Road BromsgroveB61 0BB Employer's website