About this role
Job summary
The role of the Eating Disorders Peer Support Worker - Inpatient Ward and Day Programme (Eating Disorders PSW) has been developedspecifically for people who have lived experience of recovery from a/an eating disorder(s) such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, bingeeating disorder and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder. In the context of CNWL's Eating Disorders Service postholders will haveexperienced recovery from disordered eating challenged and accessed support through an eating disorders service in relation to this. Forthis specific post, it is also required that the post holder has lived experience of accessing treatment on an inpatient eating disorders unit.Through sharing wisdom from their own experiences, Eating Disorders PSWs inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible in others.Using recovery principles and socially inclusive practice, the post-holder will support service users in their personal recovery journeysthrough the Eating Disorders Service. This means providing peer support for adults and young people who are currently receiving inpatientor day patient support for their eating disorder.
Main duties of the job
Foster a relationship of mutuality and information sharing, to promote choice, self-determination, opportunities and hope;
Raise awareness about local resources and opportunities that may assist people in maintaining their recovery; Encourage and support service users to use community resources that are available to them and support the Eating Disorders Servicewith developing links with these resources; Act as an advocate for recovery within the team and an ambassador for recovery for the Trust and with partner agencies; and Work as part of a multidisciplinary team in a specialist service setting. Through sharing the wisdom of their own lived experience, the Eating Disorders PSW will inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible inothers, taking a lead role in embedding recovery values within the service settings in which they work, alongside other Trust recoverychampions.
About us
Please note:This vacancy doesnotmeet the criteria for Skilled Worker sponsorship, unless you meet the criteria by temporary exemption from current changes to immigration rules put in force on 22/07/2025. "Separate provisions are applied to workers who have been sponsored and held continuously Skilled Worker visa since prior to 04/04/2024."
As such, if you don't meet the Transitional Provision (above) we are unable to consider your application unless you can provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the United Kingdom. If you believe you are eligible for sponsorship or already hold a valid right to work in the UK, please ensure you provide full details of your immigration status in thePre-Screening Immigrationsection of your application form.
Please noterole eligibility also depends on whether the role meets the salary threshold for the relevant occupational code (SOC CODE).
For further info please visit:Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK
Job description Job responsibilities
Respect integrity, confidentiality, clinical governance and data protection requirements in line with Trust policy
Have responsibility for relevant safeguarding issues in relation to service users and their network, including making difficult decisions as a team adhering to the Trusts Safeguarding policy. Engage in self-reflective practices and commit to continued personal development Establish supportive and respectful relationships with people using eating disorders services Model/mentor a recovery process, inspire hope, and demonstrate self management skills and techniques by skilfully using own experience of recovery Provide meal support and encouragement from a lived experienceperspective for mealtimes and snacks; this will include positive rolemodelling by also participating in the meal or snack Assume a coaching role supporting users in developing personal recovery plans; this can be delivered individually or in groups. Support service users in making sense of their experiences of eatingdisorders and recovery. This might include understandings of personal and social recovery, health and wellbeing, personal and social identity whilst recognising that each individuals recovery is a distinctive and deeply personal process Be committed to professional development through independent learning, keeping up to date with latest research and building connections with local and national peer networks.
Promote development of best practices in peer support andLived Experience Practice across the service through activeparticipation in internal and external training anddevelopment programmes Supervision requirements Following the probation period,the Eating Disorders PSW will have monthly 1-1 supervisionwith clinical line manager and monthly 1-1 supervision withpeer supervisor. Prior to this, and in any other periodswhere additional support is needed, the frequency ofsupervisions can be reasonably adjusted Eating Disorder PSWs will also have group supervision every 2-months with PSWs from other CNWL services as well asfortnightly staff group with the community team To work with the multi-disciplinary team in the support ofboth informal service users within day programme andinpatient settings and those detained under the mentalhealth act within acute inpatient settings
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Commitment to obtain underpinning knowledge through work based learning and mandatory training Willingness to undertake Level 4 City University accredited course "Developing Expertise in Peer Support" course Acceptable level of written literacy and numeracy Basic IT skills i.e. word & email
Desirable
Accredited peer support worker training
Experience Essential
Own personal lived experience of recovering from an eating disorder Own lived experience of accessing inpatient service to support eating disorder recovery Willing to positively share own life experiences, and personal experience of living with and making a successful recovery from an eating disorder Experience of actively supporting individuals to identify and work towards achieving personal goals in a related social care or health setting (paid or unpaid) Ability to demonstrate and represent recovery focussed approaches to mental health care Own personal lived experience of recovering from an eating disorder Own lived experience of accessing inpatient service to support eating disorder recovery Paid or unpaid working experience in health and social care
Desirable
Paid or unpaid peer support worker experience Paid or unpaid experience of working with individuals with an eating disorder
Skills Essential
Ability to demonstrate first person experiential knowledge of recovery Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the concept of personal recovery as it may apply to others Evidence of good interpersonal skills and an ability to form peer relationships with service users and carers Ability to communicate on all levels and to a broad scope of individuals, both internally and externally to the Trust Knowledge of how to build community links and networks Understanding of issues arising from experiencing mental ill health Ability to work unsupervised in a range of settings Effective team player
Desirable
Knowledge of basic first aid Basic Health and Safety awareness Awareness of local services Knowledge of benefits/ employment systems Ability to demonstrate a good understanding of mental health issues Ability to speak other languages Knowledge of basic food hygiene
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 Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Address Vincent Square Eating Disorder Service
1 Nightingale Place
London
SW10 9NG
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/work (Opens in a new tab)