Peer Support Worker

               JOB DESCRIPTION

Peer Support Worker
(Primary Care Network)

Reports To:

PCN Team Leader

Direct Reports:

  None

Location:

Avon Valley Primary Care Network (Ringwood, Fordingbridge,
Bransgore)

Hours:

22.5 Hours (must include a Wednesday & Thursday)

Salary:

 £15,187.50  to  £16,361.15  per  annum  (£24,975  to  £26,905  full
time equivalent) – Solent Mind Band B

Purpose:

Peer  Support  roles  are  specifically  for  people  who  have  lived  experience  of  mental  health
issues. Through sharing wisdom from their own experiences, peer support staff will inspire hope
and  belief  that  recovery  is  possible  in  others.  The  Peer  Support  roles  will  work  with  the
Wellbeing  Assessors  and  Team  Leads  to  provide  Wellbeing  support  to  patients  within  their
particular Primary Care Network (PCN). This part of the Solent Mind Wellbeing Service provides
one  to  one  wellbeing  support  within  the  GP  practices,  working  alongside  the  wider  Primary
Mental Health & Wellbeing service.

Peer support is short term support given to people who need extra support with the ‘doing’
side in their recovery journey.  By using their own experiences to help each other, providing a
safe space where people feel accepted and understood. Peer Support Workers use their own
lived experience of mental health problems to support, inspire and accompany patients on
their recovery journey.

Principal Accountabilities:

  Working with colleagues from across the Primary Care Network (PCN) and mental health
services to identify people that may benefit from peer support and plan work accordingly.

  Working  with  people  one  to  one,  managing  your  own  caseload  of  service  users  to

support their recovery, and help them access relevant services and groups.

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

wellbeing.

  To support and encourage participants to identify their own strengths, triggers and life

goals.

  To maintain appropriate records of participation and progress, recording on client

management systems (CRM/SystemOne/Emis) as required.

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  Develop links and maintain good relationships with local community.

General:

  Adhere  to  the  aims,  values,  policies  and  procedures  of  Solent  Mind,  particularly

safeguarding and health & safety.

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

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PERSON SPECIFICATION

Peer Support Worker

Essential
or
Desirable

Requirement

Qualifications/Education/Training:

  Educated to a minimum level 2 standard or relevant experience.

Essential

Experience:

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

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

Experience of working in partnership/multi agency working.

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

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

Essential

Desirable

Desirable

Essential

Desirable

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

Desirable

Knowledge/Skills/Competencies:

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

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

Demonstrate  a  knowledge  of  mental  health  services,  local  support  services,
related groups and organisations and the skills and confidence to engage with
them.

Essential

Essential

Desirable

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

Desirable

Excellent  communication  and  organisational  skills  including  written  and  I.T.,
including  use  of  Microsoft  Office  packages  and  confidence  with  using  client
management IT systems, such as CRM, SystemOne or Emis.

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

Essential

Desirable

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Requirement

Other:

Demonstrate skills in managing your own health and wellbeing.

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

Willingness to work flexible hours to meet service needs.

Ability and willingness to travel to other Primary Care Networks and Wellbeing
Centres.

Commitment to Solent Mind’s values.

Commitment  to  Solent  Mind’s  Equal  Opportunities  and  Diversity  and  Inclusion
Policies.

Willingness to undergo a relevant DBS Check if required.

Date job originated: December 2019
Date job reviewed: July 2023
Reviewing Manager: MB

Essential
or
Desirable

Desirable

Desirable

Essential

Essential

Essential

Essential

Essential

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