Peer Support Worker

Job overview

A rare opportunity for a motivated individual who has lived experience of the Criminal Justice System including custody in prison.

Do you want to become involved in working with a nurse-led support service, to support prison leavers with their health and social needs?

Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) is seeking to recruit people with lived experience of the Criminal Justice System to join our NHS Reconnect service which covers East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton and Hove.

This post would be ideal for someone who wishes to use their own experiences of Prison and the Criminal Justice Service to help support people who are leaving prison and might otherwise struggle to engage with professionals.

Experience of peer support work is desirable, but not required, as the role depends more upon your ability to use your personal experience to support others and your aspiration to do so whilst being part of a NHS team that is supportive, approachable and dedicated to the role. Training will be provided.

The ability to commute independently across the Sussex area is essential, and expenses are covered by the Trust.

The foundation of peer support is based on the recognition that there is no better person to support the path towards recovery than someone who has walked the same path as that individual. We actively seek peers who have lived experience of both the CJS and a health and social care need, e.g. mental health, substance misuse, etc.

Main duties of the job

The Peer Support Worker will provide peer support and practical assistance to clients in order for them to engage with appropriate services, you will help them develop an identity outside of the criminal justice system, and regain control over their lives and their own unique recovery process.  The Peer Support Worker will help develop rapport between Reconnect professionals, the client and professional partner agencies. The Peer Support Worker will contribute their unique insights to team discussions, support planning and advocacy. The Peer Support worker will help the team reduce barriers to care, address power imbalances in therapeutic relationships and support with Quality Improvement initiatives from the perspective of lived-experience.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES •    To establish a supportive and respectful relationship with service users. •    To help individuals identify strengths, interests, and their own achievable and meaningful recovery goals. •    To support the implementation of groups and networks that enable participation in activities. •    To actively engage with colleagues and other professionals to ensure the needs of the client group are met. *Please see attached Job Description/Person specification for further details.*