Guildford - Peer Support worker: MHTR
Job overview
A rare opportunity for a motivated individual who has lived experience of the Criminal Justice System or custody in prison.
Do you want to become involved in working with psychologists and other practitioners, to support the recovery journey of people who struggle with their mental health?
Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) is seeking to recruit people with lived experiences to join our Primary Care Mental Health Treatment Requirements teams in Surrey, Buckinghamshire and Hampshire. This application is for High Wycombe area.
This post would be ideal for someone who wishes to use their own experiences of Prison and/or the Criminal Justice Service to help others who are accessing support for the Primary Care Mental Health Treatment Requirement.
Experience of peer support work is desirable, but not required, as the role depends more upon your ability to use your personal experience to support others and your aspiration to do so whilst being part of a NHS team that is supportive, approachable and dedicated to the role.Training will be provided.
The ability to commute independently across the High Wycombe area is essential.
The foundation of peer support is based on the recognition that there is no better person to support the path towards recovery than someone who has walked the same path as that individual. We actively seek peers who have lived experience of both the CJS and a health and social care need, e.g. mental health, substance misuse, etc.
Main duties of the job
Main duties of the job
The Peer Support Worker will provide formalised peer support and practical assistance to service users in order for them to engage with appropriate services, develop an identity outside of the criminal justice system, and regain control over their lives and their own unique recovery process.
The Peer Support Worker will come alongside a service user and assist them when aspiring and considering the initial steps on their recovery journey.
Working for our organisation
By joining Team MPFT, you will be helping your communities and in return for this, we will support you by;- Supporting your career development and progression
- Excellent NHS Pension scheme
- Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Options for flexible working
- Up to 27 days annual leave (increasing with service up to 33 days) and the opportunity to purchase additional leave
- Extensive Health and Wellbeing support and resources
- If you work in our community teams, we pay for your time travelling between patients
- Lease car if you complete more than 500 business miles per annum, fully insured and maintained (including tyres), mileage paid at lease car rate
- Salary sacrifice car - fully insured and maintained (including tyres), your gross pay is reduced by the cost of the vehicle before tax, NI and pension deductions are calculated, mileage paid at business rates
- Salary sacrifice bikes up to £2k
- Free car parking at all trust sites
- Free flu vaccinations every year
- Citizens Advice support linked with a Hardship Fund for one off additional support up to £250 (if the criteria is met)
And more. We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive organisation and there is a choice of staff networks that help you meet like-minded people.
Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES- To establish a supportive and respectful relationship with service users.
- To help individuals identify strengths, interests, and their own achievable and meaningful recovery goals.
- To support the implementation of groups and networks that enable participation in activities.
- To actively engage with colleagues and other professionals to ensure the needs of the client group are met.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria- Lived experience of the Criminal Justice System
- Willingness to use own experiences to support others
- Able to fulfil the requirement to commute across the whole of the West Mercia Area
- experience of supporting people in the community
- personal values
QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
Essential criteria- English language literacy and numeracy skills to the standard necessary to provide clear, understandable records on computerised system (Rio) and fulfil job description.
- Skills or ability that contribute to the skill mi of the team (e.g., vocational)
- Related Health or Social Care qualification