Job Description:
The role of the Senior Peer Support Worker for Iris
TC is a new development and is aimed at bringing the vital experience and
insights offered by those with lived experience into the TC. We are initially
offering this role as a 12 month secondment and hope the successful individual
will assist us in understanding how to develop and grow the lived experience
role in a team where this has yet to be formally integrated.
We are keen to find someone with lived experience
of mental health challenges and previous experience working as a Peer Support worker. Experience of being in
a therapeutic group and or facilitating groups will be an advantage to this
role as most of the time spent will be in group settings. Through sharing your own experiences, this may inspire hope and belief
that recovery is possible in others. Your role will be to establish supportive
relationships with people using mental health services based on the core
principles of peer support (mutuality, reciprocity, strengths-focused, safe,
progressive, non-directive, recovery-focused and inclusive).
Main duties of the job
As an integral and highly valued member of the Iris Therapeutic Community (Iris TC) they will join other colleagues in the multidisciplinary team in offering:
Guidance, role modelling & opportunity for reflection for individuals attending or considering attending the TC. In doing so they will champion promoting choice and self-determination and empowerment.
Participate in the daily facilitation and co-production of the Iris TC. Whilst in receipt of safe and secure clinical supervision.
Support service and pathway development to ensure that services are created to meet the needs of those using it.
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
Duties and
Responsibilities
Communication and Working Relationship Skills
To
establish supportive and respectful relationships with people using mental
health services and their supporters.
To
support the development of peer support workers across Devon Partnership NHS
Trust.
To
sign-post to various resources, opportunities and activities within the Trust
and in communities to promote choice and informed decision making.
To
role model and support service users to identify and overcome fears within a
relationship of empathy and trust.
To
support clinical teams in promoting a recovery orientated environment with
involvement in clearly identified quality improvements and projects.
To
act as an ambassador for the Trust with external agencies and partner
organisations.
To
champion co-production across Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Communicate
with people using services, their supporters and staff using empathy and
reassurance
Work
alongside multidisciplinary teams developing a shared understanding of peer
support
To assist the
Iris TC in supporting and promoting previous TC Experts by Experience
involvement in our service planning and development.
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
To
collate and contribute to analysing data for evaluation.
To
assist people in identifying their own recovery goals.
To
identify initiatives and evidence based programmes for delivering peer
support
Planning and Organisational Skills
To plan own
diary and maintain accurate records of all activity following job planning.
To contribute to presentations about peer support
developments.
To actively engage with people using services and
their supporters to offer opportunities to review and develop the service.
To attend
meetings and any other formal/informal communication events linked to the
work of the peer support programme, as directed by the Peer Support Worker
Leads.
Responsibility for Patient/Client
Care, Treatment and Therapy
To
share ideas within the Iris TC Team on ways of achieving Recovery goals,
drawing on personal experiences and a range of coping, self-help and self-management
techniques.
To
assist others to create their own Recovery plans make and record advance
decisions.
To
model personal responsibility, self-awareness, self-belief, self-advocacy and
hopefulness.
To develop
and deliver group-based interventions, under safe and secure clinical
supervision.
Responsibility for Policy and Service Development
Implementation
To contribute to policy reviewing and
protocol writing where required to do so.
To comply
with all DPT policies, protocols, procedures relevant to the role.
To report
any observed incidence of unprofessional behaviour, accidents/incidents, untoward
occurrences or faulty equipment.
To
participate professionally in service development and proposed service
changes where required to do so.
To take part
in any audit processes as required.
Comply with
universal Infection Control precautions and procedures.
To complete
all core training requirements and other appropriate training courses
pertinent to the role, as agreed with the Peer Support Worker Leads.
Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and
Other Resources
Assist in
maintaining safety and security of working environments.
Helping to
maintain cleanliness and tidiness of working environments (including
equipment).
To have
knowledge and understanding of counter fraud.
The post
holder will have no direct responsibility for finance, but they will need to
adhere to relevant Trust policies on financial issues.
To use Trust
NHS resources in a sustainable way
To develop and share peer support resources where
required to do so.
Responsibility for Human
Resources, e.g. Supervision, Training, HR Advice and Management
To actively
participate in regular management supervision from their line manager and engage
in an annual appraisal in accordance with Trust policy.
To participate in
and support students learning along with other members of the team.
Responsibility for Information Resources and
Administrative Duties
Maintain up to
date electronic records in a timely and accurate manner.
To regularly
access email and other information through the Trusts intranet
Maintain
confidentiality of information being aware of Trust policies and local
protocols and keeping up-to-date with changes.
Work in accordance
with lone working policy.
Responsibility for Research and Development
To
identify personal developmental needs in conjunction with Line Manager and
recovery-focused supervision.
Involvement in research projects and
service improvement/ development initiatives where agreed with the Peer
Support Worker Lead.
Freedom to Act
Works within the
standard operational procedures of the peer support team.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
- Diploma or equivalent appropriate qualification, e.g. foundation degree; or NVQ3 level qualification plus short courses or relevant experience to diploma level or equivalent level of knowledge training and experience.
- To be computer literate in Microsoft office
Desirable
- Accredited Peer Support Work qualification
Experience
Essential
- To have lived experience of mental health challenges as a user of services
- To have experience of recovering a meaningful life
- To have experience of being in a supportive and enabling role
Desirable
- To have experience as a Peer Support Worker in the NHS or other organisation
- To have experience of Therapeutic Communities
Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to share personal story of recovery in a professional manner
- Knowledge in how to assist people develop recovery plans
- Ability and willingness to reflect on work practice and be open to constructive feedback
- Ability to work in an enabling and creative way
- Willingness to support people with a range of needs to meet their recovery goals
- Ability to manage stress and to plan and prioritise workload
- Ability to carry out practical tasks
- Ability to maintain a healthy home/work life balance
- Understanding and practical knowledge of recovery
- Understanding of the issues and concerns of mental health service users
- Knowledge and commitment to service users rights
- Understanding of the impact of stigma and discrimination
Desirable
- Knowledge of Mental Health Legislation
- Knowledge of local policies in respect of safeguarding children and the protection of
- vulnerable adults
skills and Abilities
Essential
- Communication and Working Relationship Skills
- Excellent written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
- To communicate effectively with a range of service users, carers, professionals and
- agencies
- Receiving highly complex and sensitive information. Persuasive and reassurance skills
- required
- Ability to develop and maintain sound working relationships with all members of the multidisciplinary
- teams
- To be aware of professional roles within the therapeutic relationship
- Willingness to use the Trust IT systems
- Professional in appearance and behaviour
- Able to manage conflict and to help others to do so
- Good team-working skills
- Analytical & Judgemental Skills
- High level of self-awareness ability to critically appraise own performance
- Demonstrate an ability and awareness to maintain personal boundaries
- Problem solving skills
- Able to handle and present data in different formats
- Planning & Organisational Skills
- Able to organise and plan own work activities
- To take leadership and direction from qualified staff.
- Able to work alongside Band 3 Peer Support Workers and offer support to students and volunteers
- Able to offer direction to others
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.
Contact information:
Katie Searles, Jouko Koecher or Claire Johnson
dpt.personalitydisorderservice@nhs.net
01392674333
