Peer Recovery Worker (PCN)

               JOB DESCRIPTION

Peer Recovery Worker (PCN)
Southampton

Reports To:

Senior Peer Recovery Worker

Direct Reports:

None

Key Relationships:

  Service users, Solent Mind, Primary Care and HIOW staff and
volunteers, other local mental health and support services.

Location:

Southampton (Community based)

Hours:

22.5 Hours Per Week

Salary Range:

  £15,187.50  to  £16,361.15  per  annum  (£24,975  to  £26,905  full

time equivalent) - Solent Mind Band B

Purpose:

Peer  Support  is  recognised  as  a  key  component  of  modern  mental  health  and  wellbeing
provision. Peer support roles are specifically for people who have lived experience of mental
health problems. Through sharing wisdom from their own experiences, peer support staff and
volunteers  will  inspire  hope  and  belief  that  recovery  is  possible  in  others.  They  will  work  in
support  of  Solent  Mind’s  Strategy,  ‘‘Reaching  High,  Reaching  Far,  Growing  Together,
Supporting everyone to develop positive mental wellbeing, live well and thrive.”. We value lived
experience and our well-established peer support services offer ongoing peer-led supervision,
training, coaching and wellbeing support to all peer staff.

Our  peer  support  services  continue  to  grow  significantly  at  all  levels,  including  community,
primary, secondary and crisis care. We are working in partnership with Primary Care Networks
across  Southampton  and  Hampshire  and  Isle  of  Wight  Healthcare  NHS  Foundation  Trust
(HIOW) to offer peer-led recovery support to people experiencing mental health issues in the
city.

This work will include the following elements:

  Working with colleagues from across primary care (GP) network to identify people that

may benefit from peer support and plan work accordingly.

  Working  with  people  in  one  to  one  and  group  settings,  including  managing  your  own
caseload of service users, to support their recovery and help them access the support
they need.

  Working  closely  with  other  team  members  and  services  to  support  people  using  the
service  in  a  collaborative,  person-centred  way,  including  helping  them  to  identify  and
articulate their needs and hopes.

  Supporting  people  to  develop  and  use  a  range  of  skills  and  techniques  to  help  their

wellbeing.

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Main Responsibilities

  To work directly with adults who are experiencing mental health challenges to offer support,

advice and guidance.

  Working with service users to instil optimism and hope to continue to build a life worth living.

  To  work  closely  with  colleagues  from  Enhanced  Mental  Health  Primary  Care  Team  to
identify opportunities for support and help people to build the skills and confidence needed
to access it.

  To engage, support and encourage service users to identify their own strengths, triggers
and life goals and co-produce individualised plans to help achieve them. Providing service
users with tools and coping strategies, and opportunities to practice them, which support
long term mental wellbeing.

  To work with participants and colleagues to identify needs and potential barriers to people
accessing  support,  and  provide/facilitate  individual  support,  including  referrals  to  and
negotiation with other agencies where appropriate.

  Participate in service monitoring, evaluation and reflection in line with the project guidelines,

and support service users to take part.

  To ensure attendance at relevant meetings, offering a lived experience input to discussions.

  To adhere to and support the development of relevant procedures and guidelines as they

relate to peer support and the service.

  To complete and understand risk assessments and procedures as appropriate.

  To maintain appropriate and timely records of participation and progress.

  To  participate  in  regular  MDT  meetings,  bringing  knowledge  of  the  service  user  and

advocating for their wishes and goals, working in collaboration with NHS colleagues

  To escalate any concerns or risk in line with agreed processes, ensuring that any immediate

safety concerns are managed.

  To participate in caseload supervision ensuring there is an effective flow of work through

the caseload.

  To support and mentor volunteers, as appropriate.

General

  To uphold the aims and values of Solent Mind, working within Solent Mind’s policies and

procedures.

  To contribute to the ongoing development of the service and to best practice.

  All employees have a duty and responsibility for their own health and safety and the health

of safety of colleagues, patients and the general public.

  All employees have a responsibility to prevent abuse and neglect and report concerns.

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  All  employees  have  a  responsibility  and  a  legal  obligation  to  ensure  that  information
processed for both patients and staff is kept accurate, confidential, secure and in line with
current Data Protection legislation and Security and Confidentiality Policies.

  Undertake not to abuse their official position for personal gain, to seek advantage of further

private business or other interests in the course of their official duties.

This list is non exhaustive and other duties may be required to be undertaken to meet the
needs of Solent Mind.

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                   PERSON SPECIFICATION
Peer Recovery Worker (PCN)

Requirement

Qualifications/Education/Training:

Sound basic education including English and Maths or equivalent.

Relevant training in peer support and/or mental health.

Experience:

Essential
or
Desirable

Desirable

Desirable

Have lived experience of mental health problems and using mental health services.

Essential

Experience of working with people with mental health needs, in a paid or voluntary
capacity.

Essential

Experience of providing support and/or guidance to people with mental health issues.

Desirable

Experience of working in partnership/multi agency working.

An understanding of the role of peer support within mental health.

An understanding of key concepts of recovery.

An understanding of the key difficulties and challenges faced by people on their recovery
journey.

Desirable

Essential

Essential

Essential

Experience of helping people identify their own goals on their recovery journey and the
ability to support people in pursuing these.

Desirable

Service Delivery Knowledge/Skills/Competencies:

Demonstrate an understanding of the role and impact of peer support in people’s lives.

Essential

Demonstrate the knowledge, confidence and skills to work with people with a range of
needs.

Essential

Demonstrate a knowledge of mental health services, and wider related groups and
organisations.

Essential

Demonstrate the confidence and understanding to advocate for service users and share
a lived experience input to wider care planning.

Essential

The ability to manage time and competing priorities and take responsibility for your own
work, accountabilities and caseload.

Essential

Excellent team working skills including listening, constructive feedback, respect and
dignity and skill sharing.

Essential

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Requirement

Excellent communication and organisational skills including written and I.T., including
use of Microsoft Office packages.

Essential
or
Desirable
Essential

The ability to maintain and monitor accurate recording of participation, progress and
outcomes.

Essential

Other:

Demonstrate skills in managing your own health and wellbeing.

Demonstrate a solid understanding of the importance of confidentiality, boundaries and
safeguarding.

Commitment to Solent Mind’s values.

Commitment to Solent Mind’s Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies.

Willingness to undergo a relevant DBS Check.

Willingness to work flexible hours to meet service needs.

Essential

Essential

Essential

Essential

Essential

Desirable

Date job originated: April 2021
Date job reviewed: March 2026
Reviewing Manager: Jude
Gardner

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