Peer Employment Specialist

** Please include a cover letter with your CV that links to this Role.**

**About Dorset Mental Health Forum**

We are a values led charity and collective of people who have chosen to reframe our experiences of mental health difficulties and trauma, to support, inspire and educate others. We influence the design and delivery of local mental health services and run projects across Dorset independently and in Partnership with NHS colleagues and local communities.

**About the Project**

The Forum has a proud and long history of employing a diverse workforce with a broad range of experiences of trauma, emotional distress and mental health issues. We understand the importance and acknowledge the right to work as an integral part of building an independent and fulfilling life.

Our Employment project includes Dorset Work Matters (DWM) which is a partnership employment project, delivered with Dorset HealthCare (NHS), as part of the broader work of the Dorset Wellbeing and Recovery Partnership. This longstanding partnership places Lived Experience expertise alongside Clinical and Learned expertise, enabling the Forum to share its understanding as an employer of people who have experiences of trauma, emotional distress and mental health issues. The DWM project delivers an IPS (Individual Placement and Support) approach to Employment support alongside Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs) in Dorset.

**About the Role**

We are recruiting for a Peer Employment Specialist who will work with individuals experiencing Mental Health Difficulties to retain their employment and stay well in work.

As a Peer Employment Specialist, you will a good understanding of managing your own health and wellbeing at work as well of experience of supporting others. You will have exceptional interpersonal skills and be confident in communicating with people at all levels of an organisation. The primary focus of this work will be to support a caseload of individuals who are struggling to retain their employment, model lived experience in the context of work, challenge misconceptions of Mental Health and offer support and education opportunities to employers.

The core tasks of the Peer Employment Specialist will be:
1. To Carry a caseload of Job Retention clients who have been identified as needing support in work, engaging with them to understand the issues they are facing and create a plan of support.

2. To provide information, advice, and Recovery Education to Employers, challenging perceptions of Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing

3. To work with clients signposted by Dorset Work Matters to explore what is important in their Recovery and support access to other agencies/projects.

4. To amplify and promote people’s voices and experiences through employment stories, bringing about culture change with employers across Dorset, creating positive workplace attitudes to mental health.

This post will be based at either the Forum Head Office in Dorchester or the Partnership’s premises in central Bournemouth and will include travel around Dorset, with some flexibility for alternative working arrangements.

**About You**

We are a unique, values-based, collaborative, and innovative organisation that strives towards continuous learning and improvement.
- You will have demonstrable experience of providing Employment Support or other relevant case work, such as Advocacy, advice, or guidance.
- You will have experience and understanding of living with and managing mental health issues or supporting someone in emotional distress, including understanding the barriers to employment and believing in a person’s right to meaningful work.
- Your knowledge will include a basic understanding of the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) methodology and you will be prepared to undertake further training and ongoing development.
- You will have exceptional interpersonal skills, digital aptitude with strong written and verbal communication abilities.

**NB: The Salary range referenced is full time equivalent.**

**Job Types**: Part-time, Permanent
Part-time hours: 25-30 per week

**Salary**: £24,054.00-£25,409.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Financial planning services
- Sick pay

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Dorset: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

**Experience**:

- 1-2-1 Case work: 1 year (required)
- Health or Social Care: 1 year (preferred)

Work Location: One location

Reference ID: FES/23