Job summary The Northamptonshire Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Service (SPMHS) is welcoming applications for a part time Band 3 Peer Support Worker (25 hours per week). We have an exciting opportunity to recruit a Peer Support Worker to join the Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Service. Successful candidates will have lived experience of perinatal mental health conditions and have undertaken a recognised peer support worker training course such as the IMROC Peer support training. We are pleased to be working towards supporting fathers and partners of women. Fathers and Partners will shortly be offered an assessment and signposting to services who are able to support with any identified emotional wellbeing and mental health needs and our Peer Support Workers will play an integral role in the delivery of this ambition. Main duties of the job The Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Service works with women and birthing people who are at an increased chance of experiencing or are experiencing moderate to severe mental health conditions during pregnancy and after having a baby. It is a Multi-disciplinary service that has successfully embedded Peer Support Workers who have developed an extremely well evaluated 1:1 and group offer and we are now in a position to expand this offer further. In addition to 1:1 and group support, our Peer Support Workers are able to offer a lived experience insight alongside other interventions including medical, psychological and Nursery Nurse interventions. The service works closely with Maternity, Health Visiting, GP's, statutory community services and 3rd sector organisations. The Service operates across the county, with office bases currently in Northampton and Rushden and we have restarted working within children's centres and community settings as well as continuing with some online delivery. PSW's form an integral part of the Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Service and will work under the supervision of the Specialist Occupational Therapist/Operational Manager and NHFT Peer Support Co-ordinator. The successful candidate must have lived experience and/or experience of supporting people who have experienced of one or more perinatal mental health conditions including Depression, Anxiety, Perinatal OCD, Birth Trauma, Postpartum Psychosis or Bipolar disorder. About us The SPMHS is a Multidisciplinary service that works closely with Maternity, Health Visiting and Primary care services and has grown significantly over the last 5 years. There is a developing peer support worker network within the Trust and there are national SPMHS support groups for peer support workers. Successful candidate will be greeted by a compassionate team who work as part of a Trust that places particular importance on staff wellbeing and development. NHFT welcomes applications from people, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status or pregnancy or maternity status. Date posted 24 October 2024 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 3 Salary £24,071 to £25,674 a year pa, pro rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Part-time Reference number 270-TF527-MH Job locations Campbell House, Northampton or Rectory Road, Rushden Campbell Square Northampton NN1 3EB Job description Job responsibilities 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. The role of Peer Support Worker (PSW) has been developed specifically for people who have lived experience of mental health challenges. Through sharing wisdom from their own experiences, PSW's will inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible in others. As an integral and highly valued staff member, PSW's will provide formalised peer support and practical assistance to pregnant women, mothers and birthing people to enable them to regain control over their lives and their own unique recovery process Building safe, trusting relationships with others based on the sharing of lived experience. Enabling others to discover and make use of their strengths as well as building and enhancing connections with their peers and the wider community. Supporting 1:1/group based emotional support for people who have experienced mental health conditions during the perinatal period. Supporting the co-design and co-facilitation of support groups. Attendance and contribution at team meetings. Contribution towards the development of the service. Promoting peer support amongst women open to the SPMHS and contributing to the development of women's involvement and participation. Liaising and working with 3rd sector organisations where appropriate. Offering supportive conversations and signposting to support to fathers and partners of women who may be experiencing mental health difficulties in their own right The PSW's will engage with women and birthing people open to the SPMHS to show empathy, share experience, inspire hope and promote recovery with the aim of assisting women to gain and maintain independence in the community. The post will also involve both co-producing and inputting into training to other professionals, ensuring the voice of lived experience is at the heart of education and training about perinatal mental health conditions and treatment approaches. Applicants should have successfully completed a recognised Peer Support training course and have lived experience of perinatal mental health conditions. A comprehensive induction package will be provided in addition to education and training about Perinatal Mental Health. If you want to work as part of our expanding specialised multi-professional team, we want to hear from you. Please ensure you read the job description and person specification attached and that your supporting information reflects the relevant skills and experience you have, as your application will be shortlisted against these criteria. Job description Job responsibilities 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. The role of Peer Support Worker (PSW) has been developed specifically for people who have lived experience of mental health challenges. Through sharing wisdom from their own experiences, PSW's will inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible in others. As an integral and highly valued staff member, PSW's will provide formalised peer support and practical assistance to pregnant women, mothers and birthing people to enable them to regain control over their lives and their own unique recovery process Building safe, trusting relationships with others based on the sharing of lived experience. Enabling others to discover and make use of their strengths as well as building and enhancing connections with their peers and the wider community. Supporting 1:1/group based emotional support for people who have experienced mental health conditions during the perinatal period. Supporting the co-design and co-facilitation of support groups. Attendance and contribution at team meetings. Contribution towards the development of the service. Promoting peer support amongst women open to the SPMHS and contributing to the development of women's involvement and participation. Liaising and working with 3rd sector organisations where appropriate. Offering supportive conversations and signposting to support to fathers and partners of women who may be experiencing mental health difficulties in their own right The PSW's will engage with women and birthing people open to the SPMHS to show empathy, share experience, inspire hope and promote recovery with the aim of assisting women to gain and maintain independence in the community. The post will also involve both co-producing and inputting into training to other professionals, ensuring the voice of lived experience is at the heart of education and training about perinatal mental health conditions and treatment approaches. Applicants should have successfully completed a recognised Peer Support training course and have lived experience of perinatal mental health conditions. A comprehensive induction package will be provided in addition to education and training about Perinatal Mental Health. If you want to work as part of our expanding specialised multi-professional team, we want to hear from you. Please ensure you read the job description and person specification attached and that your supporting information reflects the relevant skills and experience you have, as your application will be shortlisted against these criteria. Person Specification Skills and Abilities Essential Able to demonstrate an understanding of the Values of Peer Support To be able to share lived experience in way that is safe and useful Ability to demonstrate empathy, compassion and patience and to act calmly and respond in a professional manner to distress, disturbance and unpredictability Ability to demonstrate knowledge of personal recovery and boundaries Ability to make use of clinical supervision to reflect on peer support work Awareness of own wellbeing needs, indicators and ability to seek support when needed Good IT and keyboard skills. oWillingness to use the Trust IT and clinical systems Desirable Ability to work in a fast paced and challenging environment Ability to work in a flexible way and respond to change Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS Education and Training Essential Successful completion of recognised Peer support training course Lived experience of a perinatal mental health condition or mental health condition related to loss in the perinatal period and/or experience of supporting people during this period Desirable Educated to GCSE or equivalent level/or evidence of competency specifically in literacy and numeracy Awareness of perinatal and maternal mental health issues and how they may impact women who are pregnant, considering pregnancy or who have had a baby Level 3 NVQ or equivalent knowledge and experience Completion of own wellness plan (there is no expectation for this to be shared) Experience of supporting others Person Specification Skills and Abilities Essential Able to demonstrate an understanding of the Values of Peer Support To be able to share lived experience in way that is safe and useful Ability to demonstrate empathy, compassion and patience and to act calmly and respond in a professional manner to distress, disturbance and unpredictability Ability to demonstrate knowledge of personal recovery and boundaries Ability to make use of clinical supervision to reflect on peer support work Awareness of own wellbeing needs, indicators and ability to seek support when needed Good IT and keyboard skills. oWillingness to use the Trust IT and clinical systems Desirable Ability to work in a fast paced and challenging environment Ability to work in a flexible way and respond to change Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS Education and Training Essential Successful completion of recognised Peer support training course Lived experience of a perinatal mental health condition or mental health condition related to loss in the perinatal period and/or experience of supporting people during this period Desirable Educated to GCSE or equivalent level/or evidence of competency specifically in literacy and numeracy Awareness of perinatal and maternal mental health issues and how they may impact women who are pregnant, considering pregnancy or who have had a baby Level 3 NVQ or equivalent knowledge and experience Completion of own wellness plan (there is no expectation for this to be shared) Experience of supporting others 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 Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust Address Campbell House, Northampton or Rectory Road, Rushden Campbell Square Northampton NN1 3EB Employer's website https://www.nhft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)