Application Deadline: 25 October 2024
Department: Operations
Location: Norfolk SU & Lived Experience
Compensation: £30,000 / year
Description
We are thrilled to announce that Together are launching a ground-breaking service to work alongside Norfolk County Council. This opportunity will enable us to bring the powerful voice of lived experience into the heart of Norfolk's drug and alcohol treatment system.
As part of this service, we'll be influencing decision-making across all levels and ensuring that real-life experiences are at the forefront of shaping effective policies and services.
We are seeking an inspirational person to lead on the implementation and development of this brand-new lived experience service across Norfolk.
Do you have lived experience of substance misuse and are in a stable place with your own recovery?
Do you have a passion to influence change in the drug and alcohol system to improve the outcomes for those accessing treatment?
Would you like to ensure the voice of lived experience is heard and shapes the future Drug & Alcohol system in Norfolk?
If you answered YES, please read on...
You will be responsible for overseeing service delivery and line management of 10 Peer Researchers. The Peer Researchers will actively engage with individuals and communities to understand the reasons for not accessing treatment, alongside what needs to change for someone to engage with treatment and/or support.
The team will benefit from using their unique perspective allowing a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by gaining an accurate insight into the issues affecting people who use services, their opinions, perceptions and experiences; so that services can be designed, managed and delivered more effectively. Overall, it's a powerful method for driving positive change in the field of substance use treatment and support.
Responsibilities
* Recruit, induct and supervise a team of Peer Researchers, including their personal development.
* Deliver training for Peer Researchers to enable them to fulfil their research duties in a way that is aligned with Together's values and service user leadership principle.
* Work with Finance to set the service budget, ensuring that financial procedures and controls are in place, understood and implemented, so the budget is continually monitored and achieved.
* Work collaboratively with operational teams to ensure the effective integration of peer research into standard practice.
* Develop, co-ordinate and facilitate lived experience focus and community groups as required.
* Frequent attendance at ICB and Public Health system meetings including NDAP and task/finish groups. To support Peer Researchers feedback the voice of lived experience.
* Support the development of peer support networks across Norfolk.
* Drawing on research methods, develop appropriate and effective engagement methods to obtain the views and opinions of individuals with lived experience of mental distress and drug and alcohol misuse to develop a countywide network of lived experience voices.
* Work with relevant partners to ensure community members are actively involved in the design, delivery and evaluation of Norfolk's drug and alcohol services.
* Engage with local organisations, in addition to Together services, to promote opportunities for people with lived experience to share their experiences.
* Manage, analyse, and report research data to a high standard to commissioners.
* Present research progress via monthly and/or quarterly commissioner contract meetings and NDAP Strategic and Programme group meetings.
* Ensure that Peer Researchers stay safe and that all aspects of lone working and health and safety are considered.
* Work closely with Together's Service User Leadership Team to support the implementation of good practice for all service user led projects.
* Ensure that all Peer Researchers work consistently within Together's service user leadership principles and organisational values.
* Keep up to date with service user leadership on Together's intranet to ensure consistency in practice and use of resources.
* Undertake administrative duties using relevant IT equipment as required.
* Undertake appropriate training relevant to your role.
* Commitment to working in accordance with Together's Policies and Procedures, including Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Confidentiality and Safeguarding.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Essential:
1. Personal lived experience of substance misuse, stable within their own recovery.
2. Experience of managing a team across a large geographical area.
3. Passionate about and committed to the empowerment of people who have lived experience of substance misuse.
4. Good understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
5. Experience of developing and facilitating service user led or co-production projects.
6. Experience of engaging with local communities around project development.
7. Experience of attending strategic meetings to inform and influence.
8. Experience of being involved in research or evaluation projects, including data collection, analysis and report writing in this context.
9. Excellent communication skills and the ability to deal tactfully and sensitively with a range of people who use/have used legal and illicit substances.
10. Experience of training delivery and group facilitation, including confidence supporting others to build skills to take part in substance misuse research.
11. Ability to develop, maintain and facilitate positive working relationships with service users, those in peer roles, Together staff and health professionals.
12. Ability to lead a team, use own initiative, prioritise work and meet deadlines.
13. Excellent administration and time management skills, with good computer literacy skills, and proficient in using Microsoft Office Suite.
14. Experience of organising and facilitating meetings.
Desirable:
1. Experience of being involved in or working with a research team in any area of health delivering patient and public engagement relevant work.
Job Benefits
The benefits of working for Together
Download the PDF to find out more about what you can get out of working for us.
At Together we value and encourage diversity and inclusion within our workforce. We are committed to creating a workplace where you can be your authentic self, welcoming applications from people from diverse communities and backgrounds who share our values. As an employer, we are committed to making any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process.
Successful candidates will require an enhanced DBS check. To find out more, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service. Together is committed to equal opportunities and non-discriminatory practices. Charity No. 211091
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