At a Glance
- Tasks: Support mothers with mental health challenges using your own lived experiences.
- Company: Join the Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, a caring and empowering organisation.
- Benefits: Flexible working, NHS discounts, training opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of mothers and babies while sharing your journey.
- Qualifications: Must have personal experience with perinatal mental health challenges.
- Other info: Great opportunity for growth and to join a community-focused team.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Job summary
Please note you must have right to work in the UK to apply for this position.
Due to current Home Office Guidelines, we are unable to sponsor this job role.
The Rainbow Mother and Baby Unit is a specialist 6 bedded unit. The unit provides mental health care and treatment for women during the late stages of pregnancy and up to one year after the birth of their baby.
The Rainbow Unit aims to:
- Deliver the highest quality of care to mothers and theirbabies in a safe, friendly and supportive environment.
- Maintain the safety of all mothers and their babies whilst treating the mother\’s mental illness.
- Offer support to the families and carers involved in the mother\’s and or baby\’s care.
- Help sustain the developing relationship between mother, baby and other family members
Through the understanding of the Peer Support Worker (PSW) in relation to lived experiences within inpatient settings, the hope and reflection of recovery can be promoted within perinatal services
An essential criteria of this role, is the right candidate must have personal lived experience as someone who has been challenged by Perinatal Mental Health concerns previously at inpatient status or been supported within community perinatal mental health services.
Main duties of the job
Using your own lived experiences, the role of the Peer Support Worker (PSW) is to support and understand the impact of accessing services when experiencing mental health challenges.
As a PSW, you will work collaboratively with service users and the wider MDT to support the implementing of care and promoting recovery.
You will provide support and understanding to care givers and family members whilst underpinning recovery principles and socially inclusive practice
PSW\’s can support in building therapeutic relationships with service users to promote choice, offer advocacy support and understanding of position through lived experiences of being admitted to a Mother and Baby Unit.
About us
EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;
- Season Ticket Loans
- NHS discounts for staff
- Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
- Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
- The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
- Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
- Day One Flexible Employer
The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment
Join our Staff bank
What is Staff Bank?
Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.
All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish.
If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Peer support worker, you will have a wide range of responsibilities.
working one to one and supporting service users or patients
helping to support individuals to develop goals
supporting people in care planning
helping people engage with activities
supporting group work
helping support people develop recovery plans
regular 1-1 meetings including review with supervisor to discuss any challenges and talk through sessions
meeting regularly with a small group of volunteers to discuss general topics, daily guidelines, and handovers.
participating in activities such as tutoring, mentoring, or creating and running a workshop for a class as volunteers or one-on-one meetings.
providing guidance, tutoring, and social support to volunteers, fellow students, or others interested in learning more about PSW.
coordinating volunteer opportunities with local non-profit organizations or community groups.
organizing support groups or peer-led clubs focused on PSW.
An essential criteria of this role, is the right candidate must have personal lived experience as someone who has been challenged by Perinatal Mental Health concerns previously at inpatient status or been supported within community perinatal mental health services.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Peer support worker, you will have a wide range of responsibilities.
working one to one and supporting service users or patients
helping to support individuals to develop goals
supporting people in care planning
helping people engage with activities
supporting group work
helping support people develop recovery plans
regular 1-1 meetings including review with supervisor to discuss any challenges and talk through sessions
meeting regularly with a small group of volunteers to discuss general topics, daily guidelines, and handovers.
participating in activities such as tutoring, mentoring, or creating and running a workshop for a class as volunteers or one-on-one meetings.
providing guidance, tutoring, and social support to volunteers, fellow students, or others interested in learning more about PSW.
coordinating volunteer opportunities with local non-profit organizations or community groups.
organizing support groups or peer-led clubs focused on PSW.
An essential criteria of this role, is the right candidate must have personal lived experience as someone who has been challenged by Perinatal Mental Health concerns previously at inpatient status or been supported within community perinatal mental health services.
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Evidence of continuing professional and personal development
Desirable
- Completed Peer Support Worker training
- Completed further training within mental health sector
Experience
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate personal knowledge of recovery from perinatal mental health challenges with lived experience
- Experience of working with people with mental health challenges and supporting them to access opportunities beyond mental health services
- Must have personal lived experience as someone who has been challenged by Perinatal Mental Health concerns previously at inpatient status or been supported within community perinatal mental health services.
Desirable
- Experience of positively sharing own life experiences, and personal recovery journey with service users, carers and others
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Evidence of continuing professional and personal development
Desirable
- Completed Peer Support Worker training
- Completed further training within mental health sector
Experience
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate personal knowledge of recovery from perinatal mental health challenges with lived experience
- Experience of working with people with mental health challenges and supporting them to access opportunities beyond mental health services
- Must have personal lived experience as someone who has been challenged by Perinatal Mental Health concerns previously at inpatient status or been supported within community perinatal mental health services.
Desirable
- Experience of positively sharing own life experiences, and personal recovery journey with service users, carers and others
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Address
The Linden Centre
Broomfield Hospital
Chelmsford
CM1 7LF
Employer\’s website
Peer Support Worker employer: Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Contact Detail:
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Peer Support Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the mental health field, especially those who know about perinatal services. A friendly chat can lead to insider info on job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to peer support and mental health. Use your lived experience to showcase how you can relate to service users and provide genuine support.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing that Peer Support Worker role. We love seeing applications directly from motivated candidates who resonate with our values of Care, Learn, and Empower!
We think you need these skills to ace Peer Support Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic: When you're writing your application, let your true self shine through! Share your lived experiences and how they've shaped your understanding of perinatal mental health. We want to see the real you!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application for the Peer Support Worker role. Highlight relevant experiences and skills that align with the job description. This shows us that you’re genuinely interested in the position and understand what it entails.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to mention any specific skills or training you have that relate to supporting others in mental health settings. Whether it's group work or one-on-one support, we want to know how you can contribute to our team!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
✨Know Your Story
As a Peer Support Worker, your lived experience is your greatest asset. Be ready to share your personal journey with perinatal mental health challenges. Think about how your experiences can help others and prepare to discuss specific instances where you’ve made a difference.
✨Understand the Role
Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities of a Peer Support Worker. Review the job description thoroughly and think about how your skills align with the duties listed. Be prepared to discuss how you would approach supporting service users and their families.
✨Show Empathy and Understanding
In this role, empathy is key. During the interview, demonstrate your ability to connect with others and understand their struggles. Use examples from your past experiences to illustrate how you’ve provided support and built relationships with those facing similar challenges.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, training opportunities, and how the unit supports its staff. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.