Peer Support Worker

The Primary Care Mental Health Service works closely with GPs to promote early assessment, treatment and/or onward referral in the community. We support individuals to focus on achievable goals, access local community resources and to help the individual manage their mental health more effectively.

We are looking to recruit a Peer Support Worker to join our Recovery Coach Team. PSW's have their own experience of mental health challenges and will have accessed health services themselves.

You will receive professional development with regular supervision, attendance at peer professional days and training opportunities

You may be required to undertake and successfully complete the new national Care Certificate within a 12 weeks’ timeframe if you meet our criteria. You will receive full training and support and The Care Certificate sets out 15 national care standards that must be achieved by all health and social care staff to demonstrate that they have the skills and knowledge needed to provide safe and excellent quality of care. It is a foundation programme which can provide the first steps to career development within the NHS.

To work in a service that offers support and navigation for PCMHS service users and carers to access CPFT, third sector providers and community resources as the need dictates.

For someone who has accessed our team, becoming a peer support worker can be a logical progression within their recovery journey. Wanting to help support a peer find their hope, strength and opportunities is a common perspective and can benefit yourself, the team and the peer in many ways.

However, we feel it is appropriate in your recovery journey, to wait at least 6 months from discharge before actively seeking employment in a team that supported you.

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health & social care organisation dedicated to providing high quality care with compassion to improve the health & wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting & empowering them to lead a fulfilling life.

Our clinical teams deliver many NHS services not only via inpatient and primary care setting but also with the community. These services include Children, Adult & Older Peoples mental & physical health, Forensic & Specialist mental health, Learning Disabilities, Primary Care & Liaison psychiatry, Substance misuse, Social care, Research & Development.

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities.

You may be required to undertake and successfully complete the new national Care Certificate within a 12 weeks’ timeframe if you meet our criteria. You will receive full training and support and The Care Certificate sets out 15 national care standards that must be achieved by all health and social care staff to demonstrate that they have the skills and knowledge needed to provide safe and excellent quality of care. It is a foundation programme which can provide the first steps to career development within the NHS.
- As an integral & highly valued member of the multi-disciplinary team, the PSW will provide formalised peer support, to help peers regain control over their lives & their own unique recovery process.
- They will provide a recovery focused approach to peers referred to the team, ensuring transition into the third sectors & community resources where appropriate.
- Through sharing wisdom from own lived experience, to inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible in others. Within a relationship of mutuality, facilitate and support information sharing to promote choice, self-determination & opportunities for the fulfilment of socially valued roles and connection to local communities.
- They will work to embed recovery values within the wider mental health system and community & act as an ambassador for the principals of recovery.
- They will promote all opportunities for peer support and involvement in a variety of settings.