Senior Peer Support Worker | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust

Overview

Senior Peer Support Worker (BAND 4; 1.6 WTE; Fixed Term: 1 year in first instance)

Stigma and discrimination can have a serious impact on the wellbeing of people who experience psychosis and can impact personal recovery. Peer-delivered interventions that are designed to support people with psychosis who have been personally impacted by stigma show promise, but to date most trials have been small and have focused on feasibility rather than efficacy of the peer interventions. Following the success of our NIHR funded feasibility trial, Let\’s Talk 1, the Let\’s Talk 2 Trial has now been funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) through the Efficacy and Mechanisms Evaluation (EME) programme. The Let\’s Talk 2 trial is a 32-month randomised controlled trial, jointly led by Professor Tony Morrison and Dr Melissa Pyle at the Psychosis Research Unit. Lets Talk 2 builds on the success of Lets Talk 1 and our track record of collaborative research on psychosocial interventions for people with experience of psychosis by evaluating the possible benefits of a peer-delivered intervention called Let\\\’s Talk which aims to aid mental health disclosure decision making.

We will compare the Let\’s Talk peer-delivered intervention to standard care from Early Intervention in Psychosis Services and Community Mental Health Teams. We will conduct this research across four areas in the UK (Avon and Wiltshire, Greater Manchester, North East London and South London). NELFT\\\’s Research and Development Department is seeking to appoint 2 peer support workers (PSWs) to work on the Let\’s Talk 2 Trial. The PSWs will be primarily responsible for delivering the peer-delivered intervention Let\\\’s Talk. The Let\\\’s Talk intervention is a semi-structured approach to supporting people with psychosis who are experiencing internalised stigma and who report concerns about talking about their psychosis experiences or concealing their experiences because of stigma. It is an approach that is underpinned by the principles of Peer Support. The PSWs will work together with service users across the footprint of the Trust. The posts will be for a fixed term of 12 months initially.

Responsibilities

You will be responsible for delivering the peer-delivered intervention, Let\\\’s Talk, with individuals experiencing internalised stigma related to psychosis. You will work in an independent and autonomous fashion, handling a diverse caseload, and uphold peer values that promote recovery as a user-led concept, emphasise hope and optimism, value learning through lived experience, and focus on strengths rather than deficits. Supervision is provided for all duties by Dr Lisa Wood, Consultant Clinical Psychologist & site lead for Let\\\’s Talk 2 in NELFT. Travel within the North East London area is expected as part of the role.

Qualifications and Experience

You will have lived experience of psychosis and experience of working in a relevant peer support role. You will be able to work in an independent and autonomous fashion, and demonstrate the ability to manage a diverse caseload while upholding the principles described above.

Supervision and Location

Supervision is provided by Dr Lisa Wood, Consultant Clinical Psychologist & site lead for Let\\\’s Talk 2 in NELFT. The post involves travel within the North East London area.

Induction, Probation and Benefits

Starting with NELFT: New starters join on the first Monday of each month and undergo a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks, which includes mandatory training and equipment allocation. Induction is held at the head office in Rainham, Essex.

Probationary Period: This post is subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt unless otherwise specified (e.g., currently part way through a probationary period).

High Cost Area Supplement: This post attracts a High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (minimum £4,714 to maximum £5,941 per annum pro rata for part time).

Local Engagement

NELFT is committed to recruiting locally to reflect the diverse populations we serve and to strengthen local employment opportunities.

References

Please provide references from your most recent employer, with at least one direct Line Manager or Supervisor. Provide professional email addresses, as references may be contacted after an offer is made. Do not provide references before interviews. If there are gaps in your employment history, please indicate them. Applications made through the NHS Jobs/TRAC system will be processed accordingly. Some emails may be filtered as spam; please check regularly.

For further information, please contact Dr Lisa Wood.