Job summary An exciting opportunity has arisen for Peer Support Practitioner (PSP) to facilitate the on-going development of the Peer supported Open Dialogue service (POD) within KMPT, the only stand-alone NHS Open Dialogue service in the UK. This post offers an excellent opportunity to work in mental health services in a time of exciting change to where a more collaborative, power balanced approach to care is sought, prioritising the voice of those at the centre of concern. Peer Supported Open Dialogue (POD) is a community-based and integrated way of engaging with families, or a person's social network, from the very start of seeking help ,within 24 hours of crisis It is based on the principles of Open Dialogue. (Olson. M, Seikkula. J, & Ziedonis. (2014) The Key elements of Dialogical practice in Open Dialogue) Main duties of the job As an integral and highly valued member of the multi-disciplinary team the Peer support practitioner (PSP) will provide formalised peer support and practical assistance to service users to promote choice, and work with them to regain control over their lives. This role will involve working with service users on a one-to-one as well as with other clinicians depending on the need. Helping to identify aspects of life that give meaning, hope, value and purpose recognising that each individuals recovery is a distinctive and deeply personal process. Within a relationship of reciprocity, they will journey with service users to promote choice, self-determination and opportunities for the fulfilment of individually identified goals, working with people towards gaining greater independence and to them managing their own health and wellbeing. Within this position, you will be part of a dynamic team promoting POD and co-facilitate training sessions for others. Your responsibilities will involve working alongside POD-trained staff and trainees, integrating this new care model throughout KMPT and beyond. About us Come and work with us in the Garden of England where we combine exceptional professional development opportunities with a tremendous quality of life. We are Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT), providing mental health, learning disability and specialist services, serving 1.8 million people in Kent and Medway, as well as specialist services for adults in Sussex and Surrey. We are rated Good overall by the CQC. Each year we care for over 2,000 people in our hospitals and 54,000 people in the community. We are proud to employ over 3,800 people from 66 nationalities, and to serve an increasingly diverse range of communities across rural and urban areas. You will be joining friendly, passionate colleagues, rich in their diversity, who are committed to providing excellent care to our service users and their loved ones. The nature of our work attracts kindness and compassion as standard and everyone from our cleaners and porters to the chief executive and chairman are recognised as playing a vital role in providing an exemplary service. Our strategy Our mission is what we set out to do every day We deliver brilliant care through brilliant people Our vision is where we want to be in the future To provide outstanding care and to work in partnership to deliver this in the right place, for every service user, every time. Check out our recruitment videos Recruitment - YouTube Date posted 17 April 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 3 Salary £24,625 to £25,674 a year per annum pro rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Part-time, Job share Reference number 380-EK293 Job locations Laurel House 41 Old Dover Road Canterbury CT1 3HH Job description Job responsibilities To provide opportunities for individual service users to direct their own recovery process, enabling them to complete their advanced care plan. To model/mentor a recovery process and demonstrate coping skills, using your own experience of recovery to inspire hope. To assist and advise individuals in managing their own mental health on a day-to-day basis, for example, activities of daily living such as self-care, budgeting, personal care, caring for their home, possible work roles and leisure pursuits etc. To positively promote recovery by making links with community resources and supporting service users to access them, e.g. In relation to training, education, employment, community living and leisure, etc. To facilitate and co-facilitate training of others in Peer work within the context of POD. To support the team in promoting the role of Peers and POD and to raise awareness of what recovery means, contributing to any local research/evaluation of this new role. To participate in regular supervision with allocated senior and take part in weekly team intravision and mentoring, meeting other Peer Support Workers bi-monthly and quarterly. To participate and contribute to team meetings, individual appraisal, and setting personal development goals within the job. Provide accurate and up-to-date oral/written reports on the clients care and outcomes of care objectives. To maintain confidentiality at all times in line with the Trust policy. To assist in providing a safe and caring environment. To adhere to Trust and Statutory Health & Safety requirements. To maintain and update training as required. To undertake any other duties as may be assigned or delegated from time to time by the Manager, or other Senior Trust staff. Job description Job responsibilities To provide opportunities for individual service users to direct their own recovery process, enabling them to complete their advanced care plan. To model/mentor a recovery process and demonstrate coping skills, using your own experience of recovery to inspire hope. To assist and advise individuals in managing their own mental health on a day-to-day basis, for example, activities of daily living such as self-care, budgeting, personal care, caring for their home, possible work roles and leisure pursuits etc. To positively promote recovery by making links with community resources and supporting service users to access them, e.g. In relation to training, education, employment, community living and leisure, etc. To facilitate and co-facilitate training of others in Peer work within the context of POD. To support the team in promoting the role of Peers and POD and to raise awareness of what recovery means, contributing to any local research/evaluation of this new role. To participate in regular supervision with allocated senior and take part in weekly team intravision and mentoring, meeting other Peer Support Workers bi-monthly and quarterly. To participate and contribute to team meetings, individual appraisal, and setting personal development goals within the job. Provide accurate and up-to-date oral/written reports on the clients care and outcomes of care objectives. To maintain confidentiality at all times in line with the Trust policy. To assist in providing a safe and caring environment. To adhere to Trust and Statutory Health & Safety requirements. To maintain and update training as required. To undertake any other duties as may be assigned or delegated from time to time by the Manager, or other Senior Trust staff. Person Specification Knowledge, Skills, Training and Experience Essential Lived experience of mental health problems, willing to positively share own life experiences. Have personal experience in "telling your story" or willingness to train to do so in a safe, useful approach. Good written and verbal communication skills Desirable BTec/City &Guilds/NVQ level 2 in health and social care OR equivalent experience Car Driver with full UK driving licence IMROC trained Experience of working or volunteering with people with mental health problems. Experience of teaching or being an active part of group learning Good IT skills, including WORD, Outlook and the ability to use the RiO electronic records system, or be willing to undergo training. (Peer Supported) Open Dialogue Essential Undertaken training in Open Dialogue Desirable Experience in an Open Dialogue approach Experience of working in a relational, dialogical framework Person Specification Knowledge, Skills, Training and Experience Essential Lived experience of mental health problems, willing to positively share own life experiences. Have personal experience in "telling your story" or willingness to train to do so in a safe, useful approach. Good written and verbal communication skills Desirable BTec/City &Guilds/NVQ level 2 in health and social care OR equivalent experience Car Driver with full UK driving licence IMROC trained Experience of working or volunteering with people with mental health problems. Experience of teaching or being an active part of group learning Good IT skills, including WORD, Outlook and the ability to use the RiO electronic records system, or be willing to undergo training. (Peer Supported) Open Dialogue Essential Undertaken training in Open Dialogue Desirable Experience in an Open Dialogue approach Experience of working in a relational, dialogical framework 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 Employer name Kent & Medway NHS & Social Care Partnership Trust Address Laurel House 41 Old Dover Road Canterbury CT1 3HH Employer's website https://www.kmpt.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)