Senior Peer Support Worker
This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.
West London NHS Trust provides a full range of mental health, community and physical healthcare services for children, adults and older people living in the London boroughs of Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham and Hounslow.
We also provide some specialist services that are commissioned regionally, such as our medium secure services; and nationally, such as the Cassel Hospital for people with complex and severe personality disorder and our high secure services at Broadmoor Hospital.
Job overview
Do you want to be part of a team improving the way adult mental health care is provided in the community? Ealing Acton Mental Health Integrated Network Team (MINT) is a community based service supporting people's mental and physical health as well as social care needs. We work closely with the local GP practices, primary care networks, social services, voluntary sector and other organisations to provide interventions in a more collaborative way which are simpler and support joined-up, personalised treatment and care.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a senior peer support worker with a keen interest in providing outstanding support within mental health community settings. The Community Mental Health Framework represents a new approach to providing community-based integrated support, care and treatment for adults with mental health problems whatever their level of need.
The candidate applying for this role should not require visa sponsorship now or in the future.
Main duties of the job
The role of senior peer support worker (SPSW) has been developed specifically for experienced peer support workers who have completed their accredited peer support worker training and meet the criteria in the competency framework for peer support workers as defined by ImROC. The SPSW will provide formalised peer support and practical assistance to help people to engage with their local communities and benefit from all the supports available locally. The post holder will be part of a multi-disciplinary team which will cover a Primary Care Network or locality and will work across networks to form a truly innovative and ground-breaking support structure.
Working for our organisation
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Formal peer support accredited training
- Completion of peer support work competencies as defined by ImROC
- Attained at least Level 2 Maths and English (equivalent to GCSE grade 9-4 (A*-C))
Desirable criteria
- Training for lived experience practitioners
- Evidence of further related training
- Health related qualification.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Personal lived experience of mental health distress.
- Personal experience of accessing primary or secondary mental health service.
- Experience of working as a peer support worker
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working with peers and/ or clinicians using a co-production methodology within a work setting
- Experience of contributing to a research project or audit
- Experience of collaborative working alongside professionals in either a statutory or non-statutory mental health service.
- Experience of group work interventions.
- Experience of working as a peer trainer.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Understanding of how lived experience of mental health problems can be used to support others
- Good understanding of recovery focussed principles and how they can influence support for service users.
- Understanding of the issues and concerns that service users may have in relation to their care.
- Ability to support others in a recovery orientated way.
- Good motivational techniques and abilities.
- Able to maintain the profile of the peer support service within a multidisciplinary/ multi-agency setting.
- Demonstrates the ability to role model, empower and enable others
- Ability to receive highly complex and sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
- Computer Literacy
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of mental health policies and legislation that may contribute to support for service users
- Understanding the impact of stigma and discrimination on service users.
- Good organisational skills and time management.
- Evidence of working within a team environment and the ability to develop and maintain constructive working relationships with colleagues
Other Requirements
Essential criteria
- Commitment to life-long learning.
- High level of self-awareness
- Ability to manage stress and maintain a work-life balance
- Ability and willingness to share personal story of recovery in a professional and appropriate manner.
- Enthusiasm and passion for working within mental health services.
Desirable criteria
- Ability to critically think and reflect.
As an employee of West London NHS Trust, you have a responsibility to maintain a sound understanding of, and a commitment to uphold the National Health Service values and principles set out in the NHS Constitution.
We reserve the right to close adverts prior to the closing date stated should we receive a high volume of applications.
By applying for this post you are agreeing to West London NHS Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, you will be required to undergo a pre-employment checks which can take between 4-8 weeks . After which your information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system (ESR ).
Please ensure you include email addresses for your referees which MUST be at supervisory or managerial capacity covering the last 3 years of employment to date to avoid delay in the recruitment process.
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).
West London NHS Trust is committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
- JD and PS (PDF, 351.0KB)