Job Description

We're looking to recruit a Senior Peer Support Worker to join our team to support other Peer Support Workers, team members and service users.



This vacancy is open to existing Oxford Health Peer Support Workers and people with experience of working in a peer support role in another organisation.



Peer Support Workers (PSW's) are people who have their own lived experience of mental health challenges. They use empathy informed by their own experiences to support service users who are accessing mental health services and their families.



This vacancy is for a position within our new South Oxfordshire Primary Care Mental Health Team (PCMHT). You will be based at the Wantage Keystone hub and covering the Didcot area.



PCMHTs are comprised of professionals from health and social care including mental health professionals from the NHS, the third-sector and people who have experienced mental health challenges themselves.



Each PCMHT has one or more Keystone Hubs - developed to provide more specialist care at local level via their GP surgery, and improved communication between GPs and mental health services and form a core of the strengthening of community mental health services in Oxfordshire.



Oxford Health offer the Peer Support Training programme as a nationally recognised accredited Level 3 Apprenticeship (fully funded by Oxford Health) this is completed over a period of 15-19 months depending on whether a Peer Support Worker works part time or full time (22.5-37.5 hours).



The Senior Peer Support Worker will be responsible for supporting the current PSWs to successfully embed the role within the clinical area, to support with their caseloads and to offer mentoring around using their lived experience to support others. This is in addition to, providing support with individual service users and leading or co-leading groups.

Lived experience:

Drawing on lived experience of mental health to provide emotional and practical support to an allocated group of service users to promote their recovery.



Experience in delivering peer support and have a clear understanding of the peer support model within the NHS



To support service users to engage effectively with care being offered and access appropriate services



To build relationships that are founded on the value of mutuality which will facilitate the provision of regular and practical support, both one to one and via group facilitation, to service users in developing and managing independence and maintaining dignity and self-respect.



To build rapport with service users, whilst maintaining professional boundaries, drawing on both experience and knowledge of the service user perspective and an evidence-based approach.



Ability to mentor less experienced peer staff, be a positive role model, sharing knowledge and co-reflecting in peer supervision



Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.



Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible



Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are:

"Caring, safe and excellent"



At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:



Excellent opportunities for career progression



Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development



27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service



NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers



Competitive pension scheme



Lease car scheme



Cycle to work scheme



Employee Assistance Programme



Mental Health First Aiders



Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)



Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team



We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the "supporting statement" element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.



The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.



Please see attached document regarding the eligibility criteria for this role and ensure you have read this carefully.