At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide peer support to individuals in crisis, including one-to-one and telephone support.
- Company: Join a people-focused group service commissioned by the NHS.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, unsociable hours payment, and valuable experience in mental health support.
- Other info: Flexible shifts, dynamic team environment, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining hands-on experience in mental health services.
- Qualifications: Personal experience of mental distress and supporting others in crisis is essential.
The predicted salary is between 21000 - 25000 £ per year.
Overview
The Safe Space in Doncaster is a People Focused Group service, commissioned by the NHS. The aim of the Safe Space is to divert people who would be better supported elsewhere, away from Accident and Emergency (A&E) and other crisis services in Doncaster. The service provides a peer support led, non-clinical alternative to A&E for adults in crisis, offering person-centred support in a non-clinical setting.
This role involves providing Peer Support to visitors in acute distress, including telephone support, assisting in one to one support, support planning and liaising with local services. The post is on a fixed term up to March 2026, with the possibility of extension. The post requires evening, weekend and bank holiday work and runs on a rota basis between 2pm and 2am. The post will be based in Doncaster Safe Space Plus and the service runs 365 days a year.
Responsibilities
- To provide support to individuals who are experiencing crisis and emotional distress, including one to one support, support planning and liaison with local services in partnership with Support Workers and Safe Space Team Leaders.
- To support people to become Peer Supporters so that they can effectively contribute to service delivery.
- To fully involve people in service development and delivery.
- To provide a culturally sensitive and accessible service.
- To establish respectful, sensitive, professional relationships with service users, demonstrating awareness of the issues faced and needs of the client groups and recognising the assets and strengths of individuals.
- To build appropriate relationships with people, many of whom will have labels, with multiple needs, risk-taking activity, deliberate self-injury and resistance to support and intervention.
- To work with people in states of distress and who may use a variety of coping mechanisms, including working with people who use substances and people who self-harm.
- To effectively monitor the service, accurately recording information and data.
- To refer service users on to other services where appropriate, including other crisis and/or emergency services.
Qualifications and experience
- The post holder will have personal experience of mental distress and substantial experience of supporting people in crisis, including working with people at risk of suicide and self-harm and supporting people from BME and LGBTQ communities.
- PSWs are people with previous experience of using mental health services who are employed, trained and supported to use those experiences to support others.
- PSWs within Doncaster Safe Space will work as part of a team providing the day-to-day delivery of the Doncaster Safe Space, including 1:1 support for service users via telephone and face-to-face, and will work closely with partners in other agencies, including A&E, crisis and emergency teams and other voluntary sector organisations.
General duties
- To work at all Homes as part of a team, attending team and staff meetings and developing a teamwork approach.
- To maintain records as required by the Safe Space Team Manager and in line with PFG policies and procedures.
- Attend a full induction program including development and wellbeing planning, goal setting, shadowing, and an introductory peer support training course.
- To be responsible for personal learning and development and undertake mandatory and optional training as appropriate.
- To promote the work and services of PFG to the public, referrers, and funders.
- To implement the organisation’s policies, procedures, and practices and to comply with the aims of PFG; promote Equal Opportunities and safeguarding and health & safety policies.
- To ensure information is dealt with in accordance with PFG policies around Confidentiality, Communications, Internet, Email and Telecommunications, and to secure confidential information (e.g., service user data).
- To ensure that Data Protection, Health & Safety, Complaints Handling and Corporate Governance requirements are met.
- To undertake any other duties as directed by management in accordance with the responsibilities of this post.
Seniority level
- Entry level
Employment type
- Full-time
Salary
£24,636.15 per year & Unsociable Hours Payment
Hours and location
Hours: 37.5 per week; 2pm–2am shift pattern. Location: Doncaster Safe Space, Doncaster, England.
Peer supporter Safe Space in Doncaster employer: People Focused Group
At the Doncaster Safe Space, we pride ourselves on being a compassionate and supportive employer dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of individuals in crisis. Our team-oriented work culture fosters personal growth and development, offering extensive training and opportunities for peer supporters to enhance their skills while providing vital support to the community. With a focus on inclusivity and respect, we ensure that our employees feel valued and empowered in their roles, making this an exceptional place to work for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Peer supporter Safe Space in Doncaster
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at People Focused Group.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from People Focused Group!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like People Focused Group, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at People Focused Group or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Peer supporter Safe Space in Doncaster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to People Focused Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to People Focused Group! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at People Focused Group
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
