Peer Support Supervisor in Dewsbury

This is an exciting opportunity to work in the Perinatal Mental Health Team leading on our Peer Support pathway. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone with lived experience of mental health illness to be involved in delivering peer support to help women referred to us providing peer-based interventions. The role will involve working with service users in their own home, carers, Trust staff, community groups and organisations. The service operates Monday-Friday; 9.00am-5.00pm; successful applicants would be expected to have the flexibility to work occasional extended hours to facilitate service effectiveness. We welcome applications from people from diverse communities. All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to have their up-to-date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients.

The Peer Support Worker (PSW) role is designed for individuals with lived experience of mental health recovery. The PSW Supervisor ensures these experiences are applied effectively and supports services in recognizing the value of peer contributions, fostering hope and belief in recovery. As a key member of the multidisciplinary team, the PSW Supervisor provides structured supervision and line management to PSWs, enabling them to achieve their potential. The role includes leading project work, supporting service user-led initiatives, and integrating lived experience into planning, design, and delivery. This involves developing partnerships with community organisations and contributing to the ongoing development of peer roles within the Trust. The PSW Supervisor also plays an active role in recruiting PSWs and offers high-quality individual supervision. They work closely with new recruits to help them establish their role within the team. You will have good interpersonal skills as the role involves building strong trusting relationships with women and their families during a critical time in their lives. Ideally you should have experience of supporting the development of peer-led or co-produced groups and projects.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading on project work
• Supporting and developing mechanisms for working in partnership with community organisations
• Involvement in recruitment of PSWs
• Providing high-quality supervision
• Supporting new recruits to establish their role within the multidisciplinary team

Responsibilities:

• Provide high quality individual line management supervision to Peer Support Workers.
• Co-produce peer support documents and initiatives with peers.
• Attend peer support conferences and workshops to stay informed of developments and disseminate findings.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, policies and issues related to peer support and mental health.
• Co-deliver training with the MDT and contribute to Recovery Colleges where relevant.
• Develop partnerships with external agencies and participate in recruitment of peer support workers (including interview panels).
• Maintain professional relationships with confidentiality and boundaries; support services to identify goals and enable positive progress.
• Develop and deliver project information, training materials and promotional information as required.
• Support service users to identify and overcome fears, fostering empathy, trust and recovery.
• Facilitate access to community resources and networks to expand social roles and positive identity.
• Contribute to development of peer roles within the Trust through network meetings and training.

Working As Part Of a Team:

• Mentor newly appointed peer support workers and model recovery and self-management.
• Demonstrate professional and caring attitudes toward team members, service users, carers and the public.
• Attend team meetings and provide support to the team, including administrative support as required.
• Assist with project documentation and support exhibitions/events showcasing participant talents.

Person Specification:

Essential:

• Own lived experience of recovery from mental health challenges.
• Lived experience of mental health.
• Knowledge of secondary mental health services.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to problem solve and to lead and inspire others.

Desirable:

• Empathy and advocacy for the needs of others; experience in co-design/co-production; experience in training, supervising and developing others; third sector experience; experience with volunteers; project management experience.

Qualifications:

Essential:

• Minimum NVQ level 3 in business administration or equivalent.
• Lived experience of mental health.

Physical Attributes:

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post.
• A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where illness relates to disability and/or pregnancy).
• A current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants unable to drive due to disability).

Training:

Commitment to continually develop self and others.

Special Knowledge & Skills:

• Knowledge of involvement and engagement practices, techniques and approaches.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• High IT competency across platforms, including Excel and data management systems, survey tools and analysis.
• Ability to prioritise workload and adjust activities to changing demands.
• Ability to develop and nurture excellent relationships and to assess sensitive or complex issues with appropriate decisions.

Additional:

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and will require a DBS check.