About this role
Job summary
The role of Peer Support Worker has been developed specifically for people who have lived experience of mental health or a dual diagnosis such as mental health and substance misuse, Learning Difficulties or Autism. The aim is to support others who may benefit from peer support in addition to other treatment and interventions. There is growing evidence that peer support reduces the need for individuals to access crisis and inpatient services.
The Peer Support Worker will act as a role model, mentor and ambassador for living well in both clinical and non-clinical environments across a range of community settings. Through sharing wisdom from your own experiences, you will inspire hope and belief that living well is possible in others.
Main duties of the job
. You will:
Support and promote recovery from mental health as a user led concept
Emphasise hope and optimism, inspiring individuals to achieve their aspirations/goals
Value experiential learning alongside other people
Focus on strengths rather than deficits
Foster collaboration between those who need support and those who support them
Enable and promote autonomy and self-management
There is also an expectation that you will be involved in the on-going development of Peer Support Worker roles at the Trust, including such things as training programmes and evaluations.
Postholders will demonstrate an attitude which respects and values service users' and their carers and have a clear understanding of professional boundaries. The post holder will embrace the core values of the organisation. These principles will recognise the need to:
Promote safe practices
Value the aims of service users
Work in partnership and offer meaningful choice
Be optimistic about the possibilities of meaningful change
- Value social inclusion
About us
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.
We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford,Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.
Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.
Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.
Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.
Job description
Job responsibilities
See attached detailed job description and person specification:
Staff benefits
- Pay Enhancements 30% additional for Evenings (8pm onwards) and Saturdays and 60% additional for Sundays and Bank holidays.
- 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
- Excellent pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Salary sacrifice car scheme
- Wellbeing programme
- Blue Light Card Discounts
Person Specification
Education/ Qualifications
Essential
- Has undertaken the Trust Level 2 Award in Peer Support Work or is willing to do so as soon as the position is offered / or completed equivalent programme.
- Competent in Maths and English at Level 1 Functional Skills (equivalent to GCSE grade D-E) and willing to work towards Level 2 (GCSE grade A-C)
- Competent in basic Microsoft Office applications e.g. e-mail, Word, Teams.
Desirable
- Prepared to undertake learning and development opportunities to enhance skills
- Completed group facilitation skills training
Experience
Essential
- The post holder should: Have lived experience of mental health problems during the perinatal period
- Experience of accessing services and actively contributing to own treatment/interventions to support own recovery
- Experience of actively supporting individuals to identify and work towards achieving personal goals in a related social care or health setting (paid or unpaid)
Desirable
- Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
Knowledge
Essential
- The post holder should: Demonstrate an understanding of what Peer Support work is
- Demonstrate an understanding of professional boundaries
- Have a basic awareness of equal opportunities legislation and understand the importance of recognising and respecting diversity and promoting inclusion
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of the Trauma Informed Care Agenda in mental health
- Knowledge about the impact of maternal mental illness
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- The post holder should: Be able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people including: service users, carers, other professionals, and members of the public
- Be able and willing to share own experiences appropriately in order to work in a trauma informed way, validating others experiences, listening and empathising, whilst promoting and empowering hope
- Be able to motivate others and promote choice and empowerment
- Be able to handle challenging situations and behave in a professional manner
- Be aware of the limits of your own competence, and responsibilities and know when to consult with others
- Show commitment to one's own professional development
Desirable
- Basic psychosocial intervention skills e.g. Motivational Interviewing, Behavioural Activation, Node Link Mapping, Solution Focussed Approaches
- Group work skills
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
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Address
hindley town hall
Cross street
wigan
WN2 3AX
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)