Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Peer Support Worker
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Job Overview
Do you have lived experience of being on a mental health ward? Would you like to use your experiences to help support others?
Amazon Ward at St Charles hospital are looking for a Peer Support Worker to help support people on the ward. The postholder will use their own mental health journey, sharing their lived experience to support others.
Main Duties of the Job
- Using own lived experience of recovery to support people both on a one to one and group setting.
- Working as part of the MDT to advocate for people's needs on the ward.
- Upholding the principles of hope, opportunity and control to support people on their recovery journey.
Working for our Organisation
As one of our acute sites at St Charles hospital the postholder will be working in a very dynamic team as part of the wider MDT.
Please note: This vacancy does not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker sponsorship, unless you meet the criteria by temporary exemption from current changes to immigration rules put in force on 22/07/2025. “Separate provisions are applied to workers who have been sponsored and held continuously Skilled Worker visa since prior to 04/04/2024."
As such, if you don’t meet the Transitional Provision (above) we are unable to consider your application unless you can provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the United Kingdom. If you believe you are eligible for sponsorship or already hold a valid right to work in the UK, please ensure you provide full details of your immigration status in the Pre-Screening Immigration section of your application form.
Please note role eligibility also depends on whether the role meets the salary threshold for the relevant occupational code (SOC CODE).
For further info please visit: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK
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Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
As an integral and highly valued member of the multi-disciplinary team, the PSW will provide formalised peer support and practical assistance to service users on the ward in order for them to regain control over their lives and explore their own unique recovery journey.
Through sharing the wisdom of own lived experience, the PSW will inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible in others. Within a relationship of mutuality, they will facilitate and support information sharing to promote choice, self-determination and opportunities for the fulfilment of socially valued roles and connection to local communities.
The PSW will take a lead role in embedding recovery values within the service setting in which they work, alongside other Trust recovery champions, and act as an ambassador of recovery for the Trust with external agencies and partner organisations.
The PSW will also co-facilitate Recovery and Wellbeing College Snapshots and facilitate groups as well as support people on a one to one basis.
Person Specification
Education And Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Willingness to undertake or completion of Level accredited course “Developing Expertise in Peer Working.”
Desirable criteria
- Trauma informed care training
Previous Experience
Essential criteria
- Lived experience of recovery from mental and emotional distress, and experience of using inpatient services
- Developed plans for managing own recovery
- Experience of actively supporting individuals to identify and work towards achieving personal goals in a related social care or health setting (paid or unpaid)
Desirable criteria
- Involvement in service redesign and development.
- Paid or unpaid, peer support worker experience
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Skills, Knowledge And Abilities
Essential criteria
- Ability to demonstrate first person experiential knowledge of recovery
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the concept of personal recovery as it may apply to others
- Evidence of good interpersonal skills and an ability to form peer relationships with service users and carers
- Effective listening skills
- Ability to communicate on all levels and to a broad scope of individuals, both internally and externally to the Trust
- Ability to appreciate / understand other people’s worlds
- Ability to demonstrate empathy, compassion and patience
- Ability to be non judgemental
- An ability to act calmly and to respond in a professional manner to distress, disturbance and unpredictability
- Knowledge of how to build community links and networks
- Understanding of issues arising from experiencing mental ill health
- Ability to work unsupervised in a range of settings
- Sensitive understanding of diversity issues and an ability to promote anti-discriminatory practice/ equal opportunities
- Ability to demonstrate practical skills to provide support with daily living activities
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of current legislation which underpins health and Social Care and a working knowledge of the Equalities Act 2010 and Human Rights Act.
- Knowledge of benefits/ employment systems
- Ability to speak other languages
Aptitudes, Attitudes and Personal Characteristics
Essential criteria
- Resilience
- Good organisational skills
- Ability to problem solve and create innovative solutions to help empower service users
Other
Essential criteria
- Declared medically fit by the Occupational Health department to perform the duties of the post.
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