Autism Peer Support Worker @ Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Job summary

We are recruiting an Autism Peer Support Worker to join The Brook in Dawlish, which is a new purpose-built, state-of-the-art, 10-bedded regional inpatient unit supporting adults with a learning disability/autism who have acute mental health needs.

The role will be to establish a supportive relationship with people who use our service, based on core principles of peer support.

You will work within the Brook's multi-disciplinary team who will provide line management, supervision, and induction training, plus support to develop your skills and confidence in the peer support role from our central Peer Leadership team.

This is not a healthcare support worker role. It is designed for people with lived experience who are interested in a career in peer support. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to share relevant details of their own personal lived experience at interview to demonstrate their ability to support our service users and families effectively. Candidates are strongly encouraged to enquire about this role before applying.

We are able to accommodate flexible working arrangements and part-time working, in line with service needs.

The successful candidate will be expected to work from The Brook, Dawlish.

Main duties of the job

The role involves building supportive relationships with people who use our service at The Brook, based on core peer support principles.

Peer support is rooted in shared lived experience. As an Autism Peer Support Worker, you will bring your personal lived experience of both using secondary mental health services, and a diagnosis of autism. You will offer understanding, hope, and practical support, and be willing to share relevant parts of your lived experience in a safe and meaningful way.

• Providing one to one and group peer support to service users and their families
• Offering emotional support, encouragement, and reassurance based on shared lived experience.
• Supporting people to identify their own recovery goals and access community and wellbeing resources.
• Working in a trauma-informed and non-judgemental way, respecting each person's background, culture, and circumstances.
• Taking part in training, supervision, and reflective spaces to support your development and wellbeing.
• Working closely with the wider multidisciplinary team and escalating any concerns appropriately.
• Be supported to complete required training.
• Working within clear boundaries, with responsibility and decision making held by clinical colleagues.
• Note on language - We recognise that many autistic people prefer identity-first language when referring to themselves. The job title of "Autism Peer Support Worker" refers to the purpose of the role, which is to offer peer support to people using autism services.

About us

About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Job description

Job responsibilities

This is a shortened, easy-to-understand summary of the generic Peer Support Worker role.

Please read the full Autism Peer Support Worker Job Description and Person Specification attached to the advert when completing your application.

Peer Support Worker

Band: 3 Organisation: Devon Partnership NHS Trust

About the job

A Peer Support Worker uses their own lived experience to help other people.

You will use your experience carefully to help people feel understood, hopeful and supported.

You will work as part of a team. You may support people on their own or in groups.

This role is based in a hospital service.

What you will do

You will

• Listen to people without judging them.
• Build safe and trusting relationships.
• Use your own experience to help others.
• Help people decide what recovery means to them.
• Support people to work towards their own goals.
• Help people recognise their strengths.
• Support people to make their own choices.
• Help people understand their rights.
• Help people prepare for meetings about their care.
• Support people at appointments, meetings or activities.
• Help people find useful services, groups and activities.
• Help people connect with their community and support networks.
• Support activities for individuals and groups.
• Work with families and carers when appropriate.
• Keep clear and accurate records.
• Tell a senior member of staff if you are worried about someone's safety.
• Follow Trust policies and keep information private.

Sharing your lived experience

Your lived experience is an important part of this job.

You will

• Share only what is helpful to the person you are supporting.
• Think carefully about what you share and when you share it.
• Keep clear and safe boundaries.
• Work within the limits of your role.
• Ask for help when you need it.
• Challenge stigma and discrimination in an appropriate way.

Working with others

You will

• Work as part of a wider care team.
• Communicate clearly and respectfully.
• Work with people who may communicate in different ways.
• Treat each person as an individual.
• Respect each person's background, culture and beliefs.
• Work in a way that understands how trauma can affect people.
• Attend team meetings, training and supervision.
• Help the team develop and improve peer support.

Keeping people safe

You will

• Know when to ask a senior colleague for help.
• Report concerns about someone's safety or wellbeing.
• Report accidents, incidents and risks.
• Follow safeguarding procedures.
• Follow health, safety and infection control guidance.
• Work safely when working alone.
• Tell qualified staff if you notice changes in someone's mental health.

Managing your work

You will

• Arrive at work on time.
• Plan your diary and daily work.
• Organise and prioritise your tasks.
• Arrange appointments when needed.
• Complete records and other paperwork.
• Use email and Trust computer systems.
• Keep personal information safe and private.
• Be able to work on your own and ask for help when needed.

Support for you

Using your lived experience to support others can sometimes be emotionally difficult.

You will receive

• regular supervision
• guidance from your team
• training for the role
• opportunities to reflect on your work
• support for your wellbeing and development
• additional profession-specific support from the Peer Support Leadership team

What we are looking for

You must

• Have personal experience that helps you understand the people you will support.
• Be happy to use your experience to help other people.
• Understand that people recover in different ways.
• Understand what peer support is.
• Have a basic understanding of mental and physical health.
• Have basic computer skills.
• Understand how to help keep people safe.
• Be a good listener.
• Be kind, patient and understanding.
• Stay calm when someone is upset or distressed.
• Be able to talk and listen to people.
• Be able to write simple and accurate notes.
• Work well with individuals and groups.
• Work well as part of a team.
• Be open to advice and feedback.
• Work on your own when needed.
• Plan and organise your work.
• Understand the limits of your role and ask for help when needed.
• Be able to travel to different places in the area you support.

Training and checks

Before you start

Once appointed, the successful candidate must

• Have, or be willing to complete, the Care Certificate.
• Have, or be willing to complete, Peer Support Worker training.
• Complete a DBS check.

It would be helpful if you have

• A qualification in health and social care, or similar experience.
• Training that helps you support other people.
• Experience of helping people work towards their goals.
• Knowledge of local services, groups and support available in the community.
• Experience of using your own experiences to support other people.

Good to know

• Sometimes you may work on your own.
• You may support people who are upset or having a difficult time.
• The job can sometimes be challenging.
• You may need to travel.
• You will receive training and support.

We welcome everyone

• We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.
• Flexible working may be available.
• We will support you if you need adjustments

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Personal lived experience of both accessing the relevant diagnostic pathway and secondary care service relevant to the patient group.
• Ability and willingness to draw on and share first-person lived experience with the sole intention of supporting others.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the concept of personal recovery as it may apply to others.
• Awareness of the history, values and principles of peer support.
• Knowledge of mental health and a basic understanding of physical health presentations.
• Basic IT skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Outlook) and the ability to use electronic record systems confidently and accurately.
• Basic awareness of safeguarding principles.

Desirable

• Experience paid or unpaid, in actively supporting individuals to identify and work towards their self-defined recovery goals

Planning and Organisational Skills

Essential

• The ability to plan and manage your own diary and daily workload in collaboration with the wider team, while maintaining accurate clinical records and documentation in line with Trust policy.
• The ability to take direction and guidance from the team while also working independently on unsupervised tasks and providing accurate feedback to relevant parties.

Communication and Working Relationship Skills

Essential

• Effective listening skills with the ability to demonstrate empathy compassion, patience and to be non-judgemental in your approach.
• The ability to remain calm and respond professionally in situations involving distress, disturbance, or unpredictability, with a clear understanding of challenges some individuals might face.
• Demonstrated strong written communication skills, with the ability to produce clear and accurate documentation.
• The ability to communicate effectively with people using services considering any communication differences they may have and responding appropriately.
• The ability to work effectively with individuals and groups in a flexible and adaptable way.
• The ability to work as part of a team, demonstrating collaboration, negotiation skills, and a willingness to reflect on practice and feedback to support continuous learning and personal development.
• Demonstrate an ability to build safe, empowering, therapeutic relationships with service users based on open and non-judgmental listening and shared experiences.
• Demonstrates a sensitive understanding of diversity and actively promotes anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities.
• Demonstrates a commitment to working in a trauma-informed and person-centred way.

Desirable

• Demonstrated knowledge of how to develop and maintain community links, including awareness of local community resources and support networks.
• The ability to share lived experience appropriately and effectively across a variety of settings to support and engage others.

Qualifications

Essential

• Care Certificate or commitment to complete within 3 months of joining.
• NHSE Peer Support Worker Competence Framework Training or commitment to complete within 3-6 months of joining.
• Basic IT skills

Desirable

• NVQ Level 3 or QCF Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification or experience
• Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings

Analytical and Judgement Skills

Essential

• The ability to problem solve and create innovative solutions to help empower patients and service users.
• Demonstrates an awareness of own limits in relation to own job role and an understanding about how and why we need to maintain personal professional boundaries.

Desirable

• The ability to judge appropriateness when sharing lived experience with patients/service users and other staff.

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

Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Address

The Brook, Langdon Hospital

Exeter Road

Dawlish

Devon

EX7 0NR

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)