Job summary We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated people with personal lived experience of significant mental health challenges and recovery, in particular inpatient care and psychosis, to join the specialist community forensic team. You will need to be comfortable sharing your experiences and recovery with service users, to help them move forward with theirs. We work with service users who are admitted to secure in patient services and support them throughout their admission to discharge and then, as required, for a period of time within the community. The role of peer support worker (PSW) has been developed specifically for people who have lived experience of mental health challenges and recovery. Our PSWs inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible in others. They model the value of recovery within and without AWP. They share wisdom gained from their own experiences. This post is suitable for someone who is empathetic, compassionate and patient with a calm and professional response to distress, disturbance and unpredictability. You will receive ongoing training, support and supervision as well as becoming part of a wider network of lived experience staff. In your application please describe how your lived experience would fit this role. We are able to offer support with this, please contact Louisa Foxwell Trust Lead for Peer Support - louisa.foxwellnhs.net Main duties of the job o Giving service users a sense of hope and wellbeing o Supporting service users to gain a sense of control over their lives o Helping them engage with, and build connections and a sense of belonging to, local communities o Helping service users gain satisfaction in different parts of their lives o Helping service users move toward their recovery goals o Advocating for service users or helping them with things which are difficult to say o Offering a lived experience perspective in team meeting o Working within the Peer support values based practice model and code of practice About us We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust) a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care. We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset. Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care. At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger. We welcome informal enquiries and visits. Date posted 13 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 4 Salary £26,530 to £29,114 a year (pro rata) Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Part-time Reference number 342-SEC010-0125 Job locations Fromeside Manor road Bristol BS16 1EG Job description Job responsibilities To undertake the role of peer support worker for an allocated caseload of service users organising and participating in the ongoing assessment, planning, delivering and review of care to meet identified physical and mental health social and wellbeing needs. This will include: Explaining the role of peer support worker Organising and participating in defined assessment methods/activities Contributing to care plans identifying and organising other resources as appropriate. Completing relevant paper and electronic documentation in line with the peer support worker role. Developing, planning and undertaking defined interventions to enable the individual to meet and develop their ongoing daily living skills, to increase confidence and independence in line with agreed personal recovery plans. This might include; Preparing for and delivering defined self-help groups. Therapeutic activities to improve an individuals coping skills e.g. mindfulness and relaxation Co-facilitating therapeutic group work Planning and undertaking activities to enable the individual to meet and develop their daily living skills, to increase confidence and independence in line with agreed personal recovery plans. This might include helping individuals to: Complete forms or letter e.g. housing benefits Contact employment advisors or education facilities Or it might include providing any of the following Emotional support to individual focusing on motivation and encouragement Information and advice to maintain good physical health Information on rights under the mental health act Effectively build hope, inspiring relationships which acknowledge the personal journey of each person, and focus on strengths and aspirations to allow the creation of meaningful personal recovery plans. To work collaboratively with service users and their carers to understand and manage their mental health needs in line with their personal recovery plan and relapse prevention strategies. To undertake specific activities and interventions in the support of carers including engagement and involvement, assessment and provision of support or services. Participate in the development of risk assessments and crisis management plans, rapid access plans, within the appropriate framework, ensuring that when trigger points are reached, these are reported appropriately to a registered practitioner, and that immediate or direct action is taken in line with these, or in the event of a crisis. Respond to the needs of individual with sensitivity with regard to their age, culture, race, gender, ethnicity, social class or disability, modifying behaviour to optimise the helping relationship. Promote the rights of individual by recognising differences and acting in accordance with the relevant legislation, recognising and reporting discriminatory behaviour, and taking appropriate action. Work collaboratively and sensitively with individuals, to develop skills to manage their own health, in accordance with their personal recovery plan, by actively promoting and using approaches which are affirming, build on strengths, identify past positive experience and success, and use small steps to move towards the persons goal. Promoting independence and increasing confidence by providing appropriate self-help materials, information about available resources/services, facilitating identified group work and educational workshops and peer support groups. To be responsible for maintaining own caseload on a day to day basis, ensuring that time is prioritised effectively. Contribute to the protection of individuals from abuse and harm in line with local safeguarding policies and procedures, by recognising and reporting any signs that may indicate an individual is at risk of neglecting or harming themselves, or at risk from others, and by participating in processes with other agencies to keep the individual safe. Develop own knowledge and practice, and contribute to the development of others, making use of available feedback, supervision and appraisal to identify appropriate areas of development for this work role, taking responsibility for accessing identified learning and training opportunities. Monitor and maintain health, safety and security of self and others, taking appropriate action where required. Maintain accurate, confidential records of patient activity, writing reports and letters, utilising electronic record and other systems available within the organisation. Report and record within agreed timeframes, all activity relating to information reporting and performance requirements. To participate in local arrangements in order to ensure consistent care to service users across the local geography Job description Job responsibilities To undertake the role of peer support worker for an allocated caseload of service users organising and participating in the ongoing assessment, planning, delivering and review of care to meet identified physical and mental health social and wellbeing needs. This will include: Explaining the role of peer support worker Organising and participating in defined assessment methods/activities Contributing to care plans identifying and organising other resources as appropriate. Completing relevant paper and electronic documentation in line with the peer support worker role. Developing, planning and undertaking defined interventions to enable the individual to meet and develop their ongoing daily living skills, to increase confidence and independence in line with agreed personal recovery plans. This might include; Preparing for and delivering defined self-help groups. Therapeutic activities to improve an individuals coping skills e.g. mindfulness and relaxation Co-facilitating therapeutic group work Planning and undertaking activities to enable the individual to meet and develop their daily living skills, to increase confidence and independence in line with agreed personal recovery plans. This might include helping individuals to: Complete forms or letter e.g. housing benefits Contact employment advisors or education facilities Or it might include providing any of the following Emotional support to individual focusing on motivation and encouragement Information and advice to maintain good physical health Information on rights under the mental health act Effectively build hope, inspiring relationships which acknowledge the personal journey of each person, and focus on strengths and aspirations to allow the creation of meaningful personal recovery plans. To work collaboratively with service users and their carers to understand and manage their mental health needs in line with their personal recovery plan and relapse prevention strategies. To undertake specific activities and interventions in the support of carers including engagement and involvement, assessment and provision of support or services. Participate in the development of risk assessments and crisis management plans, rapid access plans, within the appropriate framework, ensuring that when trigger points are reached, these are reported appropriately to a registered practitioner, and that immediate or direct action is taken in line with these, or in the event of a crisis. Respond to the needs of individual with sensitivity with regard to their age, culture, race, gender, ethnicity, social class or disability, modifying behaviour to optimise the helping relationship. Promote the rights of individual by recognising differences and acting in accordance with the relevant legislation, recognising and reporting discriminatory behaviour, and taking appropriate action. Work collaboratively and sensitively with individuals, to develop skills to manage their own health, in accordance with their personal recovery plan, by actively promoting and using approaches which are affirming, build on strengths, identify past positive experience and success, and use small steps to move towards the persons goal. Promoting independence and increasing confidence by providing appropriate self-help materials, information about available resources/services, facilitating identified group work and educational workshops and peer support groups. To be responsible for maintaining own caseload on a day to day basis, ensuring that time is prioritised effectively. Contribute to the protection of individuals from abuse and harm in line with local safeguarding policies and procedures, by recognising and reporting any signs that may indicate an individual is at risk of neglecting or harming themselves, or at risk from others, and by participating in processes with other agencies to keep the individual safe. Develop own knowledge and practice, and contribute to the development of others, making use of available feedback, supervision and appraisal to identify appropriate areas of development for this work role, taking responsibility for accessing identified learning and training opportunities. Monitor and maintain health, safety and security of self and others, taking appropriate action where required. Maintain accurate, confidential records of patient activity, writing reports and letters, utilising electronic record and other systems available within the organisation. Report and record within agreed timeframes, all activity relating to information reporting and performance requirements. To participate in local arrangements in order to ensure consistent care to service users across the local geography Person Specification essential Essential NVQ Level 3 completed in Health and Social Care, or able to demonstrate an equivalent and relevant level of knowledge and experience Health Education England Peer Support Worker training - willingness to undertake Lived experience of a diagnosis of and ongoing recovery from a mental health condition and of being supported by mental health services Relevant experience of working in any health, social care, or any related voluntary organisation setting. Desirable Lived experience of admission to an Inpatient mental health service. Able to demonstrate some awareness of theories underpinning health care Person Specification essential Essential NVQ Level 3 completed in Health and Social Care, or able to demonstrate an equivalent and relevant level of knowledge and experience Health Education England Peer Support Worker training - willingness to undertake Lived experience of a diagnosis of and ongoing recovery from a mental health condition and of being supported by mental health services Relevant experience of working in any health, social care, or any related voluntary organisation setting. Desirable Lived experience of admission to an Inpatient mental health service. Able to demonstrate some awareness of theories underpinning health care 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 Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust Address Fromeside Manor road Bristol BS16 1EG Employer's website http://www.awp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)