Peer Support Worker

We have an exciting opportunity for a Peer Support Worker to play a vital role in providing support at our Pathfinder.

Position: Peer Support Worker

Location: Mid Sussex

Salary: £23,168 Pro-Rata

Hours: 12 hours per week

Contract: Temporary 11 Months

Closing Date: 10^th October

Interview Date: 17^th October

About:

As a Peer Support Worker, you will be working for a people-led organisation whose mission and values is to inspire change across Sussex.

About Pathfinder:

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Pathfinder team at BHT Sussex as we continue to develop our service provision to support and empower those in need. Pathfinder West Sussex is an alliance of organisations working together to enable people with mental health support needs to improve their wellbeing. Our service offers a variety of support, including our range of community groups, 1:1 coaching from a Recovery Worker, Peer Support Worker or volunteer Peer Mentor and social support from one of our Community Champions to target isolation.

Pathfinder understands the value that those with lived experience of mental health challenges can bring to clients. We are seeking to recruit two Peer Support Workers to continue ensuring that our service is heavily influenced by those with understand first-hand the challenges of recovery. We can work with you as you embark on this entry level role into the mental health sector, providing you with the opportunity to develop professionally in a supportive environment.

About the Role

We have a part-time vacancy available for a motivated and passionate Peer Support Worker within our team. This is a fixed-term role for 11 months, based both remotely and within Crawley and the surrounding areas.

This is an ideal opportunity for those wishing to utilise their lived experience to enter the mental health sector. The post’s aim is to provide an entry-point for those who wish to grow professionally. In recent times, the service has seen Peer Support Workers progress into a variety of roles, from Recovery Worker to further peer and support posts.

As a Peer Support Worker, you will possess your own experiences of mental health challenges. In addition to already possessing some ideas on how this can be utilised in a professional role, you will be enthusiastic to learn more. Ideally, you will have some experience of working 1:1 with those with a range of additional needs, providing support that is person-centered and which achieved a positive outcome for the individual/s concerned. This could be demonstrated in a variety of settings and might be paid or voluntary.

Upon appointment, you will receive tailored support from your Line Manager. However, as you progress professionally, there will be an expectation to begin working more independently to perform the varied responsibilities of the post.

This post operates on a hybrid basis, with staff working both in-person and remotely with clients. No matter the format, Peer Support Workers, will be expected to contribute to the Pathfinder team by sharing appropriate information and staying in regular communication with colleagues.

As a Peer Support Worker, you will hold a caseload of clients. You will meet clients to set and progress towards goals and if applicable, support clients to attend community groups, therefore accessing all that the service can offer. Finally, as you gradually build your knowledge of other local organisations, you will signpost clients when appropriate, first under the guidance of colleagues and later, more independently.

As part of their induction and ongoing development, Peer Support Workers will have access to a range of training. Of particular significance is building an understanding of adult safeguarding, confidentiality, professional boundaries and GDPR matters, all of which are vital for the role.

We are committed to an organisational culture that values people from all backgrounds. We welcome and encourage applications from all members of the community.

Key Responsibilities:

• To provide practical and/or emotional support to clients, empowering them to create their own collection of wellbeing tools and manage their mental health more independently.
• To hold a caseload of clients in accordance with hours worked, supporting 1:1 with a focus on meaningful, personal goals.
• To assist clients to access additional aspects of the service, such as our range of Pathfinder community groups.
• Following training, to complete and maintain up to date records using the service’s computerised database.
• To act as an advocate for Peer Support, demonstrating its unique benefits whilst bringing an understanding of how lived experience can be utilised when working with vulnerable people.

Person Specification:

To be successful in the role of Peer Support Worker you will need to have great communication skills and be committed to the values of BHT Sussex. Some of the key skills and experience you will need to bring with you include:

• Excellent organisational, time-management and record keeping abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both oral and written.
• Commitment to social inclusion, equal opportunities and promoting diversity.
• Ability to actively listen to clients and build relationships based on trust and understanding.
• Lived experience of mental health challenges

In return:

In recognition of our commitment to staff, BHT Sussex has been awarded Gold Accreditation from Investors in People. We are also signed up to the Disability Confident employer scheme and have made the Mental Health at Work commitment.

You will also receive a fantastic benefits package including:

• 5.5% stakeholder pension scheme and life assurance scheme
• Medical cash plan with Medicash
• Access to BHT Learning & Development platform
• Free and confidential employee assistance helpline for both personal and work-related concerns
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Free new starter 28-day Network Saver Brighton bus pass
• Generous holiday allowance starting at 27 days per annum pro rata, rising 1 day for each year of service to a maximum of 32 days pro rata
• The opportunity to participate in well-being and fundraising activities throughout the year

BHT Sussex is an equal opportunities employer using a fair and open recruitment process that fully complies with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010. We are committed to encouraging equality, equity, inclusion, and diversity within the workplace. As an employer we are committed to promoting and supporting our people’s social, physical and psychological health at work. Please let us know if you require any special arrangements or reasonable adjustments if called for interview. BHT Sussex welcomes applications from individuals with lived experience.

BHT Sussex reserves the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applicants for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

An Enhanced with Adults and Children DBS Check (Disclosure and Barring Service) is required on all successful applicants as a condition of employment for this post.