About this role
Job summary
Are you neurodivergent, or do you have lived experience of navigating neurodevelopmental services for yourself or a family member?
We are looking for compassionate, motivated and enthusiastic Peer Support Workers to join our growing Children's Neurodevelopmental Service. This is an exciting opportunity to use your lived experience to support children, young people and families accessing our neurodevelopmental pathways.
As a Peer Support Worker, you will work alongside clinicians, families and partner agencies to provide practical, strengths-based and neuroaffirming support. You will help children and young people develop confidence, self-understanding and self-advocacy skills, while supporting them through important life and educational transitions.
If you don't already have a Level 3 qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant subject, RDaSH are offering this post alongside the opportunity for you to complete a Level 3 apprenticeship qualification [relevant to your role].
As an apprentice within RDaSH you will be given the opportunity to gain experience, learn work-related skills and obtain all the tools needed to thrive.
An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. Around 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying. This leads to a nationally recognised qualification.
Main duties of the job
Build supportive and trusting relationships with children, young people and families.
Share your lived experience in a purposeful and professional way to inspire hope and confidence.
Support children and young people to understand their strengths, needs and preferences.
Help develop communication passports, self-advocacy tools and practical strategies.
Support engagement with appointments and services.
Provide information, signposting and practical support.
Work collaboratively with schools, health professionals, community organisations and families.
Contribute to service improvement and co-production activities.
About us
Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) employ around 4000 talented colleagues who are very much appreciated, valued, and respected.
We have a wide portfolio which includes mental health, physical health, learning disability and drug and alcohol services.
We are dedicated to the development of our our people and hold a learning half day every month for our colleagues.
We are passionate about enhancing the quality of our service and we work hard to attract and select the right colleagues for our organisation. Our goal is to employ those who share our passion for providing first class care while remaining committed to our vision and values. Please view our Strategy using the link below:
https://www.rdash.nhs.uk/documents/clinical-and-organisational-strategy-2023-to-2028/
To find out more about working for RDaSH and the fantastic benefits we offer visit our website:
https://www.rdash.nhs.uk/about-us/getting-involved/work-with-us/
We are committed to inclusive cultures and really value people in our organisation, view our Allyship video on YouTube to find out more:
https://youtu.be/WMJSkLoTk4Q
The main terms and conditions of service can be found here:
https://www.nhsemployers.org/publications/tchandbook
Job description Job responsibilities
Before applying, please view the attached job description and person specification to view the full details about the role.
****If you are applying for this role via the apprenticeship route, please review the attached eligibility document to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria to undertake an apprenticeship****
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if there are a high amount of applications
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
A good standard of general education, including functional literacy and numeracy, or equivalent demonstrable skills. English and Maths at level 2 or equivalent (GCSE 9-4 or A*- C or functional skills level 2) NVQ Level 2 in a related subject NVQ level 3 in related subject or willingness to undertake a relevant Level 3 Apprenticeship Willingness and ability to complete Trust mandatory training and role-specific peer support, safeguarding, boundaries, recordkeeping and information governance training.
Desirable
Relevant qualification in peer support, health, social care, youth work, education, community development or coaching. Completed recognised peer-support training.
Experience Essential
Personal lived experience of neurodivergence and the ability to use this experience safely, purposefully and professionally for the benefit of others. Experience of receiving, seeking or navigating support related to neurodivergence, whether through health, education, employment or community services. Experience of supporting, encouraging, mentoring or enabling others in a formal, voluntary, community or informal capacity. Experience of working collaboratively with others and of completing agreed tasks independently. Experience of supporting children, young people or families.
Desirable
Experience of working in health, social care, education, employment support, youth, community or voluntary services. Experience of co production, service-user involvement, training, presentation or community engagement. Experience of working across organisational or cultural boundaries. Experience of navigating education, SEND, children's health or community support systems.
Knowledge Essential
Practical understanding of neurodivergence, identity, strengths, support needs and the potential impact of diagnosis or self identification. Understanding of neuroaffirming, strengths-based and rights-based approaches. Understanding of the purpose and boundaries of peer support and the difference between peer support and clinical care. Awareness of how communication, sensory needs, executive functioning, change, stigma and environmental demands may affect participation and wellbeing. Basic understanding of confidentiality, consent, safeguarding, professional boundaries, equality and inclusion.
Desirable
Knowledge of community resources and partner organisations relevant to the age group. Understanding of reasonable adjustments and relevant transitions for the role. Knowledge of local neurodevelopmental pathways and service delivery priorities.
Skills Essential
Ability to share selected aspects of personal lived experience in a thoughtful, boundaried and purposeful way. Strong listening and relationship-building skills and the ability to communicate with people using a range of styles and formats. Ability to work in a calm, respectful and non-judgemental manner and to maintain hope when others are distressed or frustrated. Ability to support people to identify their own goals and choices without taking over, directing or creating dependence Ability to recognise concerns, remain within role boundaries and escalate promptly. Ability to write clear, factual and proportionate records and to maintain confidentiality. Ability to use email, Microsoft Word, Teams and electronic systems, with training where required. Ability to plan and prioritise allocated work, manage time, attend reliably and ask for support when needed. Capacity for self reflection, openness to feedback and ability to use supervision to maintain safe practice and personal wellbeing. Ability to develop accessible resources and contribute creatively to service improvement.
Desirable
Presentation or facilitation skills Ability to use spreadsheets, digital design tools or online engagement platforms.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHSFT
Address St Nicholas House
Shelford Street
Scunthorpe
DN15 6NU
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.rdash.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)