Peer support is when people use their own experiences to help each other. There are different types of peer support, but they all aim to bring together people with shared experiences to support each other, provide a space where you feel accepted and understood. A peer supporter is someone that supports others by drawing on shared lived and life experiences rather than through professional interventions and approaches. This mutual, reciprocal, recovery focused support often happens quite naturally as we meet others who have similar experiences - whether these experiences are social, familial, cultural, emotional or physical. Peer Supporters are trained to provide safe, appropriate and effective peer support that is based on the strong value base underpinning peer support. It is non-hierarchical, non-directive, person-centred, trauma-informed and relational. The Inpatient Peer Support service works across our wards, and is there for our patients and service users. To support them through their recovery journey, providing hope as peers, through their own lived and living experiences.

Main duties of the job

As the team lead you will be responsible for the leadership and management of peer supporters working across up to 10 services which may not all be geographically proximate and will require travel. You will contribute your 'lived experience' of recovery, working experience as a Peer Support Worker and specialist knowledge and expertise in supporting the organisation to deliver recovery-focused services, enhancing the contributions of lived experience across inpatient services, and from the Trusts Lived Experience Team.

You will support the development of the Trust-wide Inpatient Peer Support Service, assuming deputised responsibility for the development, implementation and review of the inpatient peer support workforce, in line with the Trust strategy. You will contribute to the central leadership team by strategically planning and guiding peer support. Also contributing to the ongoing maintenance of our supervision and development framework which ensure safe practice and affords opportunities for career development for the peer support team.

About us

EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including

• Season Ticket Loans
• NHS discounts for staff
• Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
• Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
• The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
• Day One Flexible Employer

The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment

Join our Staff bank

What is Staff Bank?

Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.

All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish.

If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank.

Job description

Job responsibilities

• To support and supervise peer specialists within the service, including identifying support and training needs and carrying out regular supervision sessions.
• To work with stakeholders to identify opportunities for the development of the service, to improve service user experiences and outcomes.
• To work with the service manager and ward staff to monitor and adapt delivery according to localised needs and feedback from staff and service users.
• To work directly with service users with mental health issues to offer support, validation, and encouragement, predominantly face-to-face, but using other methods of communication too.
• To model and support peer workers to maintain their own wellbeing and balance this with the role requirements.
• To work with the Ward Manager and Service Manager to monitor day-to-day operations and staffing.
• To carry out annual appraisal of direct report/s in line with trust policy.
• To support and encourage service users to identify their own strengths, triggers, and life goals and how they can be achieved.
• To work with service users to identify longer-term support needs and potential barriers, including referrals to and negotiation with other agencies where appropriate.
• To provide service users with tools and coping strategies to maintain their wellbeing.
• To share and use your lived experience in an appropriate way, to offer understanding, support and hope to service users.
• Work with service users to plan group activities.
• Participate in service monitoring, evaluation, and reflection in line with the trust guidelines and support service users to take part.
• To ensure attendance at relevant meetings.
• To help adhere to and support the development of relevant procedures and guidelines which relate to peer support and the service.
• To develop relationships and partnership working with key local organisations and providers.
• To complete and understand risk assessments and procedures as appropriate and ensure that other staff follow process.
• Maintain appropriate records of attendance and progress.
• To contribute to the ongoing development of the service and to best practice.
• To maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies, and issues in relation to both mental health and Primary Care Services.
• All employees have a duty and responsibility for their own health and safety and the health of safety of colleagues, patients, and the public.All employees have a responsibility to prevent abuse and neglect and report concerns.
• All employees have a responsibility and a legal obligation to ensure that information processed for both patients and staff is kept accurate, confidential, secure and in line with current Data Protection legislation and Security and Confidentiality Policies.

Person Specification

Education/ Qualifications

Essential

• Specialist peer support certification in line with NHS-E's peer support competency framework
• Educated to bachelor's degree, Level 4 diploma, or equivalent.
• Experience of accessing a healthcare service and constructively identifying an improvement opportunity

Desirable

• Work experience in a complex casework, healthcare or other service delivery environment

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Experience of working as a peer supporter in CAMHS of Secure services
• Lived experience of being a patient / service user / family or carer / of CAMHS of Secure services

Desirable

• Experience of managing teams and monitoring their performance.

Employer details

Employer name

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St Aubyn Centre

Boxted Road

Colchester

CO4 5HG

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

364-A-8500