Job summary A rare opportunity for a motivated individual who has lived experience of the Criminal Justice System or Custody in Prison. This post would be Ideal for someone who wishes to use their own experiences of Prison and the Criminal Justice Service to help others who are due to be released from custody to build their lives in the community and access support networks. Our outreach service operates within Health and Justice in MPFT supporting people that come through our Liaison and Diversion service in the Cheshire area. Training will be given and experience of support work is desirable but not required as the role depends more upon your ability touse your personal experience to support others and your desire to do so whilst being part of aNHS team that is supportive, approachable and dedicated to the role. The ability to commute independently across the Cheshire area is essential. 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 IOH is a service which recognises that those in contact with the criminal justice system can offend for many reasons, and often have unmet needs which can impact on their offending behaviours. IOH mirrors all community pathways within the criminal justice system, from point of arrest, providing mental health treatment requirements as a sentencing option to the courts or supporting people reconnect in the community no release from a prison sentence. Key to achieving these aims is providing an enhanced offer in order to support these individuals have equitable access to the services which can meet their needs. 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. As such we would actively seek peers who have lived experience of both the criminal justice system and a health and social care need, e.g. mental health, substance misuse, etc. 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, regain control over their lives and their own unique recovery process. The Peer Support Worker will come alongside a service user through their recovery journey, and assist them when aspiring and considering the initial steps on their recovery journey. About us 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. Date posted 10 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 3 Salary £24,071 to £25,674 a year per annum Contract Fixed term Duration 18 months Working pattern Full-time Reference number 301-LBG-25-6989101 Job locations St Georges Hospital Stafford ST16 3SR Job description Job responsibilities To establish a supportive and respectful relationship with service users, sharing own narratives to raise aspirations of life. To work primarily in direct work with service users on a 1:1 and in group settings as agreed with team supervisor and team manager. To help individuals identify strengths, interests and their own achievable and meaningful recovery goals. To support the implementation of groups. To support service users in developing other areas of interest. Draw upon own lived experience to inspire hope, model self-awareness and facilitate service users in developing their own resourcefulness for managing their health and wellbeing. Facilitate access to community groups and networks that enable participation in activities, to maximise service user's opportunities for socially valued roles and positive identity. Ensure that service users peer recovery goals are integrated into the Trusts care plan/CPA process and are reviewed on a regular basis, through liaising closely with employment specialists and care co-ordinators as necessary. To actively engage with colleagues and other professionals to ensure the needs of the client group are met through promoting recovery orientated, strengths based practice. To attend and participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings. To work under the regular supervision of the team supervisor and guidance of other professional colleagues within the team. To participate within Trust peer training and peer working networks. To have an awareness of the IOH model and pathways. To actively take responsibility for own health and wellbeing discussing/reviewing within supervision as necessary. To be willing to develop self through specialist training opportunities, relevant to your role, as agreed with team supervisor and team manager. To ensure that all duties are carried out to the highest standard and in accordance with currently quality initiatives within the work area. To undertake other duties from time to time as may be required and commensurate with the banding of the post. Job description Job responsibilities To establish a supportive and respectful relationship with service users, sharing own narratives to raise aspirations of life. To work primarily in direct work with service users on a 1:1 and in group settings as agreed with team supervisor and team manager. To help individuals identify strengths, interests and their own achievable and meaningful recovery goals. To support the implementation of groups. To support service users in developing other areas of interest. Draw upon own lived experience to inspire hope, model self-awareness and facilitate service users in developing their own resourcefulness for managing their health and wellbeing. Facilitate access to community groups and networks that enable participation in activities, to maximise service user's opportunities for socially valued roles and positive identity. Ensure that service users peer recovery goals are integrated into the Trusts care plan/CPA process and are reviewed on a regular basis, through liaising closely with employment specialists and care co-ordinators as necessary. To actively engage with colleagues and other professionals to ensure the needs of the client group are met through promoting recovery orientated, strengths based practice. To attend and participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings. To work under the regular supervision of the team supervisor and guidance of other professional colleagues within the team. To participate within Trust peer training and peer working networks. To have an awareness of the IOH model and pathways. To actively take responsibility for own health and wellbeing discussing/reviewing within supervision as necessary. To be willing to develop self through specialist training opportunities, relevant to your role, as agreed with team supervisor and team manager. To ensure that all duties are carried out to the highest standard and in accordance with currently quality initiatives within the work area. To undertake other duties from time to time as may be required and commensurate with the banding of the post. Person Specification QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING Essential English language literacy and numeracy skills to the standard necessary to provide clear, understandable records on computerised system (Rio) and fulfil job description. Desirable Skills or ability that contribute to the skill mi of the team (e.g., vocational) Related Health or Social Care qualification EXPERIENCE Essential Personal lived experience of the criminal justice system Personal lived experience of an additional vulnerability: mental health, substance misuse, alcohol misuse, veteran, etc Experience of recovering a meaningful life Desirable Psychiatric hospital admission Experience of supporting others SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES Essential Able to relate to a wide range of people, with excellent interpersonal skills Ability or capability to learn IT and literacy skills to the standard required for clinical record keeping Professional in behaviour and appearance Person Specification QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING Essential English language literacy and numeracy skills to the standard necessary to provide clear, understandable records on computerised system (Rio) and fulfil job description. Desirable Skills or ability that contribute to the skill mi of the team (e.g., vocational) Related Health or Social Care qualification EXPERIENCE Essential Personal lived experience of the criminal justice system Personal lived experience of an additional vulnerability: mental health, substance misuse, alcohol misuse, veteran, etc Experience of recovering a meaningful life Desirable Psychiatric hospital admission Experience of supporting others SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES Essential Able to relate to a wide range of people, with excellent interpersonal skills Ability or capability to learn IT and literacy skills to the standard required for clinical record keeping Professional in behaviour and appearance 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 Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Address St Georges Hospital Stafford ST16 3SR Employer's website https://www.mpft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)