Job summary This is a crucial role at the heart of our Eating Disorders Service delivery. First Steps ED and Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust's, Community Eating Disorders Service are partners who both provide care for those in Derbyshire with Eating Disorders. We are currently seeking to recruit a Peer Support Worker (PSW). This role has been developed specifically for individuals who have lived experience of an eating disorder. We are looking for an individual who has directly been affected and can use their own recovery to help others. Derbyshire Healthcare Trust and First Steps Derbyshire strongly value lived experience and that through sharing their own experience, PSWs will inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible, helping service users to feel more positively about their future. Peer Support Workers show empathy, share experience, inspire hope and promote recovery with the aim of assisting service users and their families to gain and maintain independence in the community through their recovery journey. The PSW will do thisthrough providing emotional support to service users and their families within the eating disorders service to help them meet their treatment goals.This opportunity to join us as a Peer Support Worker, using your lived experience of recovery from eating disorders, will make a positive impact to current patients and their loved ones as you support them as an expert by experience through their own unique recovery journey. Main duties of the job The Peer Support Worker will come alongside a service user and assist them with activities such as supported meals, where a like-for-like meal is eaten together, and additional support which may include, daily living tasks, and rebuilding confidence to take part in community activities as part of their care package. Training and Induction will be with First Steps ED. Once this is completed the Peer Support Worker will access mandatory training through the Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Trust. The successful candidates will be based with Derbyshire NHS Eating Disorders Service at Unity Mill, Belper with an expectation for travel throughout the county of Derbyshire, as needed. Work will be under the supervision of a qualified team of Eating Disorders Specialists. The PSW will support the delivery of a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary service offering evidence-based treatment to those with a primary eating disorder. Training and Supervision will be offered to ensure that job role competencies can be met. About us First Steps ED is the host employer and an integrated pathway partner of the Derbyshire Community Service Eating Disorder Team. You will receive our induction and training programme alongside receiving induction and training from our NHS eating disorder colleagues and work alongside and receive day to day support from an experienced Nurse Therapist. Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and First Steps ED have been working as an integrated NHS/VCSE eating disorder team for over 14 years. Date posted 24 January 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary £26,350 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working Reference number B0409-PSWBSWJan25 Job locations Eating Disorder Service Derwent Street Belper Derbyshire DE56 1WN First Steps E D Vernon Gate Derby DE1 1UL Job description Job responsibilities Duties To establish a supportive and respectful relationship with service users, sharing own narratives and recovery strategies to raise aspirations to access opportunities for the service user to thrive whether that is returning to employment or education opportunities. To support, provide companionship and encouragement to service users. Using your own lived experience of mental health/ eating disordered difficulties and the recovery journey, to connect with a person to offer emotional and practical support: giving them a sense of hope and supporting them to gain a sense of control over their lives. Work primarily in direct work with service users on a 1:1 basis and in group settings as agreed with team service manager and team leader. Ensure that service users peer recovery goals are integrated into the Trusts CEDS care plan/CMHT process and are reviewed on a regular basis with your line manager and clinical supervisor Modelling personal responsibility, self-awareness, self-belief, self-advocacy and hopefulness. Use personal experiences and confidence gained to support others Support introductions and initial conversations to the service, providing peer support and engagement. Provide emotional and practical support to individuals on a 1:1 or group basis, building confidence and skills and grow their ability to self-manage their mental wellbeing. Support individuals to access appropriate community services or groups e.g. housing advice, debt support, education, etc. Develop local knowledge of safe accessible places within the community To become involved with and co-facilitate peer recovery and other recovery-focussed groups in the community Work as part of the Multi-agency Team receive and share information within that team in order to safeguard individuals and support them. Attending huddles & Multi-disciplinary team meetings (MDMs) as needed. Use lived experience to support service design, co-production, development and improvement ensuring quality is maintained throughout. Develop appropriate resources and materials for the service from a lived experience perspective Where appropriate support individuals with moving forward from service General Maintain appropriate records of contacts and actions. Be proactive in addressing issues of equality and diversity within own working practices Work in accordance with the policies and procedures of your organisation Work to the values of Derbyshire Eating Disorders Service and the standard operating procedure Be responsible for own health and safety and that of others. Be committed to own personal and professional development. Job description Job responsibilities Duties To establish a supportive and respectful relationship with service users, sharing own narratives and recovery strategies to raise aspirations to access opportunities for the service user to thrive whether that is returning to employment or education opportunities. To support, provide companionship and encouragement to service users. Using your own lived experience of mental health/ eating disordered difficulties and the recovery journey, to connect with a person to offer emotional and practical support: giving them a sense of hope and supporting them to gain a sense of control over their lives. Work primarily in direct work with service users on a 1:1 basis and in group settings as agreed with team service manager and team leader. Ensure that service users peer recovery goals are integrated into the Trusts CEDS care plan/CMHT process and are reviewed on a regular basis with your line manager and clinical supervisor Modelling personal responsibility, self-awareness, self-belief, self-advocacy and hopefulness. Use personal experiences and confidence gained to support others Support introductions and initial conversations to the service, providing peer support and engagement. Provide emotional and practical support to individuals on a 1:1 or group basis, building confidence and skills and grow their ability to self-manage their mental wellbeing. Support individuals to access appropriate community services or groups e.g. housing advice, debt support, education, etc. Develop local knowledge of safe accessible places within the community To become involved with and co-facilitate peer recovery and other recovery-focussed groups in the community Work as part of the Multi-agency Team receive and share information within that team in order to safeguard individuals and support them. Attending huddles & Multi-disciplinary team meetings (MDMs) as needed. Use lived experience to support service design, co-production, development and improvement ensuring quality is maintained throughout. Develop appropriate resources and materials for the service from a lived experience perspective Where appropriate support individuals with moving forward from service General Maintain appropriate records of contacts and actions. Be proactive in addressing issues of equality and diversity within own working practices Work in accordance with the policies and procedures of your organisation Work to the values of Derbyshire Eating Disorders Service and the standard operating procedure Be responsible for own health and safety and that of others. Be committed to own personal and professional development. Person Specification Experience Essential Essential Experience of eating disordered difficulties and is able to draw on their own experiences and insight into recovery of mental health issues to encourage and inspire others. Actively cares about making a positive difference and is motivated to improve mental health for people in their communities. Being active in your own self-care and maintaining your own recovery. Knowledge and Understanding Essential An ability to draw on personal experiences and experiential knowledge supporting people to build on their own strengths and enable connections with their communities Knowledge of mental health difficulties and the impact on functioning Willingness to learn more about eating disorders, mental health systems, trauma informed care, safeguarding, confidentiality Willingness to attend training and personal development activities Knowledge and understanding of professional boundaries in the workplace Desirable Desirable Supporting others to develop their understanding of recovery and identity The importance of peer support in Mental Health to motivate & encourage people in their recovery The core values and principles of peer support working alongside the person to develop an equal, safe and trusting relationship characterised by: inclusivity, respect, reciprocity, mutuality. An approach that is non-directive, strength-based, recovery focused and person centred Awareness of social and cultural factors that may impact on access to support Person Specification Experience Essential Essential Experience of eating disordered difficulties and is able to draw on their own experiences and insight into recovery of mental health issues to encourage and inspire others. Actively cares about making a positive difference and is motivated to improve mental health for people in their communities. Being active in your own self-care and maintaining your own recovery. Knowledge and Understanding Essential An ability to draw on personal experiences and experiential knowledge supporting people to build on their own strengths and enable connections with their communities Knowledge of mental health difficulties and the impact on functioning Willingness to learn more about eating disorders, mental health systems, trauma informed care, safeguarding, confidentiality Willingness to attend training and personal development activities Knowledge and understanding of professional boundaries in the workplace Desirable Desirable Supporting others to develop their understanding of recovery and identity The importance of peer support in Mental Health to motivate & encourage people in their recovery The core values and principles of peer support working alongside the person to develop an equal, safe and trusting relationship characterised by: inclusivity, respect, reciprocity, mutuality. An approach that is non-directive, strength-based, recovery focused and person centred Awareness of social and cultural factors that may impact on access to support 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 First Steps ED Address Eating Disorder Service Derwent Street Belper Derbyshire DE56 1WN Employer's website https://firststepsed.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)