Peer Support Worker

Peer Support Worker Livewell Southwest Band Band 3 Salary £22,816 to £24,336 a year pa, pro-rata Contract Fixed term Duration 12 months The closing date is 25 September 2024 Job summary LOCATION: Adult Mental Health Inpatient Services Up to 22.5 hours per week Due to development of the Inpatient Mental Health Framework, there is an exciting opportunity to join the Discharge Mental Health Team. The role involves bringing lived experience into clinical teams providing valuable insights into contributing to peoples recovery from mental health challenges. The Peer Support Worker will work with people who experience a range of mental health needs from mild to severe and enduring mental health problems and their carers. The role will develop more effective links with primary care, secondary care, and the Voluntary Community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector agencies. The Peer Support Worker roles are a vital part of our plan to improve our services through collaboration with people who have lived experience of mental health challenges. The role of peer support worker has been developed specifically for people who have lived experience of mental health challenges. Through sharing wisdom from their own experiences, peer support workers will inspire hope and belief in recovery and supporting others to gain a sense of control over their lives. This post will play an essential role in supporting service users to be discharged home or individual settings. The post holder will work alongside the ward team and within a multi-disciplinary team. This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. Main duties of the job As a highly valued member of the multi-disciplinary team, the peer support worker will provide peer support and practical assistance to service users and their carers to empower them to regain control over their lives and build connections with their local communities. The Peer support worker will work across the adult inpatient pathway, and VCSE, supporting service users to transition between services. There is a requirement for the post holder to support people to access a variety of individual and group opportunities to ensure a supportive discharge from hospital.The Peer support worker (PSW) will act as a recovery champion across mental health services pathways and act as an ambassador of recovery for the Trust with external agencies and partner organisations, and be expected to be involved in the on-going development of the role. You will become an important part of the team, working to ensure that every patient receives high quality care. You may be required to support the induction of new staff member, sharing what your role entails. About us Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise providing integrated health & social care services for people across Plymouth, South Hams & West Devon, as well as some specialist services for people living in parts of Devon & Cornwall. With teams in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, health & wellbeing hubs. As an organisation with a strong social conscience, we always value being kind, respectful, inclusive, ambitious, responsible and collaborative. Transforming services to make them sustainable, ensuring that we value, support & empower each other. We are committed to involving the people we care for, families & carers in everything that we do, working towards co-production where we can. Helping us to deliver the right care for people, in the right place & at the right time. By putting people at the centre of what we do, we ensure to support people to lead, healthy independent lives & be the very best at helping people to live well. Valuing our employees making an investment in their development a priority.  We offer: Protected CPD time for registered staff Various development pathways and ongoing regular training packages for all staff Leadership & mentoring programmes Access & funding for training including Care Certificate, Assistant Practitioners Course & Scholarship Into Nurse Training A Robust Preceptorship A bespoke induction programme Existing members of the NHS Pension Scheme can continue their membership when they join the organisation. Job description Job responsibilities MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Responsibility for People Management To be involved in the continued development of the PSW training programme and in the ongoing evaluation of the PWP role. To participate in and support students learning along with other members of the team. Responsibility for financial and or physical resources The post holder will have no direct responsibility for finance; however, they will adhere to relevant LWSW policies on financial issues. The post holder will use Livewell resources in a sustainable way. To have a knowledge and understanding of counter fraud. Responsibility for administration To plan own diary and maintain accurate records of all activity Maintain up to date electronic records in a timely and accurate manner Maintain confidentiality of information being aware of LWSW policies and local protocols and keeping up to date with changes. To regularly access email and other information through Livewell SouthWest Intranet. Responsibility for people who use our services The PSW will work with a number of service users on a 1 to 1 or group basis The post holder will form and maintain supportive relationships with service users The post holder will promote better mental health by acting as a suitable role model. The post holder will accompany service users to appointments with agencies across the pathway. Third sector agencies to undertake a number of practical tasks, aligned to recovery goals. To attend meetings and other formal or informal communication events linked to the work of the team, as directed by team manager. To liaise appropriately with other agencies as part of supporting the delivery of care. The post holder will share ideas about ways of achieving recovery goals, drawing on personal experience and a range of coping, self-help and self-management techniques. To assist others to create their own recovery plans, make and record advanced decisions. To support patients to identify and overcome fears within a relationship of empathy and trust. To model personal responsibility, self-awareness, self-belief, self-advocacy and hopefulness. To monitor mental health of service users and report changes to qualified staff so that the care plan can be kept fully up to date. Be aware of fluctuations in mental health. To work with service users and carers to work towards recovery. Encourage social/physical activities as identified within the care plan. Promote independence and recovery Be able to respond effectively to any concerns of abuse and know procedures they need to follow to escalate their concerns. To participate in, support and maintain positive interventions and planned activity programmes to improve the persons quality of life. To record contacts, interventions and observations on the electronic record systems. Responsibility for implementation of policy and or service developments To abide by the PSW code of conduct, so that the central focus of work, inspiring recover, is not compromised in any way. To comply with Livewell southwest policies and procedures relevant to the role. To report any observed incident of unprofessional behaviour, accidents and or incidents, untoward occurrences or faulty equipment. To participate professionally in service development and proposed service changes To take part in any audit processes as required. Comply with universal infection control precautions and procedures. To complete all Mandatory training and other training pertinent to the role, as agreed by line manager. Other Responsibilities The post holder will be aware of and work within their own limits, and competencies Be punctual for work and conduct themselves in a professional manner in accordance with Livewell policies COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS The post holder will sign-post to various resources, opportunities and activities within LWSW and third sector agencies To act as an ambassador for Livewell with external agencies and partner organisations. To support the team in promoting a recovery orientated environment by identifying recovery focused activities and imparting information and education as required. PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB The post holder must be able move across Plymouth as part of their community work, The post holder will be competent in computer skills ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ALL POSTS The post holder is required to comply with all relevant policies and procedures pertinent to their post. Current versions can be found on the intranet or via your manager. The areas listed below are those Livewell Southwest currently places particular emphasis on. Failure to follow correct policies and procedures may result in disciplinary action. Risk Management In accordance with the Risk Management Strategy, employees will participate, whenever required, with the risk management process. They will support line managers by attending mandatory and statutory training, completing incident and or accident forms for every adverse event or near miss that occurs, report all defects and complaints, and communicate any dangerous situation to individuals potentially at risk. Health and Safety at Work You must co-operate with those in authority and others in meeting the statutory requirements and in following policies and procedures. A copy of the Health and Safety Policy is available from the intranet or from the Risk Management Department. You are reminded that in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 you have a duty to take reasonable care to avoid injury to yourself and to others affected by your work activities. You will be notified where your post carries a requirement for immunisation. You may be required to be able to undertake physical intervention training and participate in physical intervention as part of a physical intervention team and Basic Life Support BLS. Infection Control Livewell Southwest is determined to eradicate healthcare-acquired infection and puts a great deal of emphasis on the responsibility of all staff to ensure their own personal and others compliance with Infection Control, including Hand Washing Policies. All staff must comply with infection control policies and guidance, attend relevant updates and report issues of concern to their immediate line manager, if no action or explanation received, then it is the individuals responsibility to escalate their concerns to the Director of Operations or Chief Executives Office. Safeguarding Children and Adults All employees have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults and are required to act in such a way that at all times safeguards their health and wellbeing. Familiarisation with and adherence to national and local safeguarding adults and children policies is an essential requirement upon all employees. Livewell Southwest has specific safeguarding policies and in addition, employees also have a responsibility to practice and work within the multi-agency policy developed by the Safeguarding Adults Board and the Safeguarding Children Board. Staff are also required to participate in related mandatory and or statutory training. Research For clinical posts at bands 5 and 6, there is an expectation that engagement in research will be part of this role. Therefore, an awareness of the value and relevance of research is expected, and the post holder should either support existing research within their specialty area as appropriate or identify opportunities to raise awareness of research possibilities. For clinical posts at band 7 and above, the post holder will be required to actively participate in complex audits using research methodology or participate as required in clinical trials or equipment testing and will demonstrate high level involvement in local ongoing research projects. Sustainability and climate change All staff are expected to take responsibility for the reduction of carbon emissions within their area of the organisation. In particular this may relate to reducing energy consumption, making low carbon travel choices, consideration of goods and services being purchased, and waste reduction. Other This Job Description is not exhaustive and may change as the post develops, but such change will not take place without consultation between the post holder and their manager. Job descriptions should be reviewed at least annually at the appraisal meeting. The Working Time Regulations apply to all employees of Livewell Southwest. In particular, Livewell Southwest will not permit staff in all employments to work in excess of 48 hours in any one week except where there are exceptional service needs where an absolute limit of averaging over a reference period of 17 weeks would apply. Livewell Southwest has adopted NO SMOKING and NO ALCOHOL policies for staff, which applies to all posts. Details of the policy are available on request and will be included in the statement of main terms and conditions of service of staff appointed. Person Specification Additional Requirements Essential To be able to mobilise across Plymouth throughout the working day. Knowledge Essential Knowledge of mental health Awareness of safeguarding principles Basic IT skills Good communication and listening skills Organisational skills Problem solving skills An awareness to maintain professional Boundaries Awareness of own limits and boundaries in relation to own job role Good written communication Willingness to positively share your own life experiences, personal experiences of your own ill health with service users and carers. Ability to problem solve and create innovative solutions to help empower service users. Sensitive understanding of diversity issues and ability to promote anti-discriminatory practice/ equal opportunities Resilience Desirable A basic understanding of physical health presentation Experience Essential Lived experience of using mental health services Previous care experience with people who have mental health difficulties Desirable Previous experience working in a multidisciplinary team. Experience of actively supporting individuals to identify and work towards achieving personal goals in a related social care or health setting (paid or unpaid). Specific Skills Essential Ability to manage time and plan work. To complete clinical records To take leadership and direction from qualified staff To participate in unsupervised tasks and provide accurate feedback to relevant parties. Ability to work in a team effectively Qualifications Essential Vocational Qualification Level III or equivalent qualification/skills/knowledge and ability to work to this level. To complete the NCFE level 2 in understanding and supporting people with mental health needs and complete care certificate within the first 6 months of joining unless already obtained. Desirable QCF level 3 in health and social care or equivalent qualification/skills/knowledge and ability to work to this level. Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings. 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) .