Peer Support Worker Job Description and Person Specification Peer Support Worker - Service Hours 25 hours per week Leeds Mind Grade Contract Location Grade 2 Permanent Clarence House, Horsforth with travel and work also undertaken in West Leeds, HATCH, The Light, across Leeds with the possibility of home visits. Annual Leave 28 days a year plus 8 Statutory holidays, rising to 31 days after 3 years Pension 3% employer contribution, 5% employee contribution, enhanced by salary exchange Probationary Period Reporting to 6 months Line Manager DBS Check Level Enhanced Introduction We have faith and optimism in the people who access our services and so delivery is built around their needs. We support the people of Leeds West Yorkshire to discover their own resources to ‘recover’ from periods of poor mental health, and to live life independently with their mental health difficulties. Our values of Being Open, Supportive, Brave, Connected and Resourceful are pivotal to the work we do. The Community Mental Health Transformation programme is an established approach to supporting adults and older adults with ongoing and complex mental health needs. This way of working enables more people to access the support they need, when they need it. Support is provided at a local level, with access to help and advice for a range of related issues such as housing, benefits, employment, and physical health all in one place. People with ongoing and complex mental health needs are sometimes referred to as having Severe Mental Illness (SMI). This includes a wide range of needs and complexities, which may also coexist with frailty, cognitive impairments, neurodiversity, or substance use. Visit this page to find out more about Community Mental Health Transformation The Peer Support delivery under CMH Transformation is a partnership with Leeds Mind, Leeds Survivor Led Crisis Service and MESMAC, with Leeds Mind as the lead partner. The service sits under the Leeds Community Mental Health Provider Alliance, in partnership with Touchstone, BARCA & Northpoint. Belonging at Leeds Mind Leeds Mind is committed to creating an inclusive environment – equity, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of everything that we do. We are committed to ensuring that our colleagues, volunteers and people who access our services feel a sense of belonging at Leeds Mind that gives them the confidence to share their unique perspectives and experience. By creating an inclusive environment that fosters belonging, we aspire to attract colleagues and volunteers who offer diversity of experience and thought. We believe this will ultimately improve the service we provide as well as the employee and volunteer experience. To find out more about how we are developing this you can click here. Purpose of the role To promote and role model the peer support principles while building safe, trusting relationships with people using services based on non-judgmental listening and shared lived experience. To use your personal experiences of using mental health services – sometimes called ‘lived experience’ – in your work and to support people to make use of their own strengths and build connections with their peers and wider communities. The post holder will support a range of people from across Leeds, in a non-judgemental, person-centred way, while holding cultural sensitivity at the heart of their approach. Team Structure Peer Support Worker (Grade 2) Senior Peer Support Worker (Grade 4) Team Leader (Grade 4) Operations Manager (Grade 6) Operations Director (Grade 8) CEO (Grade 9) Main Tasks and Responsibilities • To provide non-directive, empowering support that helps individuals recognise their strengths and build meaningful connections with peers and communities. • To respect and value diverse experiences, supporting people to access resources and relationships within their chosen communities. • To support individuals in developing personal recovery or wellbeing plans, or offer informal guidance through active listening and sharing lived experience. • Maintaining and monitoring accurate recording of participation, progress and outcomes. • To facilitate some group work, workshops and courses with a focus around mental health. • To work as part of a wider mental health team along side the community mental health team (secondary care), medics and GPs (primary care) and other third sector organisations such as community wellbeing connectors. This will include attending multi- disciplinary team meetings and anchor days. • To actively connect with wider community support including grassroots organisations, linking people in with community assets to support their recovery long-term. • To support and supervise a volunteer at Leeds Mind. Organisation • Participate in 1:1s, performance and development, including your employing organisations compulsory training programme • Attend and participate in service/team meetings • Work within the framework of your employing organisations policies and procedures • Promote the values, behaviours and ethos of your employing organisation • Respond and report on safeguarding concerns in line with your employing organisations safeguarding policy and procedure • Undertake any other reasonable duties as and when required Person Specification Knowledge/ Qualifications Essential Desirable • Personal experience of • GCSE level English and Maths managing mental health and wellbeing (e.g. recovery or wellbeing plan). • Understanding of peer support principles, recovery concepts, and trauma-informed approaches. grade C or above • Mental health Awareness Training, Mental Health First Aid Training or other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health. • Awareness of local mental health services and the impact of stigma, discrimination, and social issues (including those affecting LGBT+ communities). • Knowledge of local community resources, including LGBT+ and culturally diverse grassroots organisations and charities. • Knowledge of the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults • Knowledge of Mental Health Legislation. Skills/Ability • Able to reflect on and • Ability to speak additional appropriately share lived experience to support others. languages. • Strong communication skills (verbal, written, digital) with active listening and a non- judgemental approach. • Organised and accurate in record-keeping; able to manage workload and maintain wellbeing. • Confident using digital tools and open to supervision and personal development. • Computer literate in software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, search engines, Outlook etc. Experience • Lived experience of emotional distress or mental health challenges and able to share these with others. • Personal experience using mental health services and applying self-management or recovery tools. • Experience supporting others in personal, voluntary, or professional settings. • Experience in peer support, mentoring, or co-production roles. • Background in public or third sector work, with an understanding of service environments. • Ability to build community connections and support diverse individuals in a culturally sensitive way. • Comfortable working in partnership with multidisciplinary teams and third sector organisations. • Understands the impact of social issues, including LGBT+ specific oppression, on mental health (essential for MESMCA post). Behavioural • Demonstrates emotional maturity, self-awareness, and readiness to take on a demanding and responsible role. • Flexible, reliable, and adaptable to changing needs and environments. • Compassionate, respectful, and professional in all interactions. • Ability to work as a team and contribute positively to service delivery. • Committed to Leeds Mind’s values: Open, Supportive, Brave, Connected, Resourceful. • Willing and able to travel across Leeds and accompany service users to community activities. • Flexible to work some evenings and weekends by arrangement. • Understanding of or willingness to learn about different cultures, faiths, and identities. • Enhanced DBS check required. Other Requirements
IPS Mental Health Employment Specialist Job Description and Person Specification IPS Employment Specialist Leeds – Workplace Hours Full Time (37 hours per week , but can offer flexible working , we are unable to consider any ) part time roles currently Grade Grade 3 Contract 12-month Fixed Term contract from start date of post (with potential of extension beyond that) Location This is a community -based role, with occasional team activities held at our Kirkstall and Horsforth offices. The position also involves co working flexibly across various locations throughout the city. -locating with clinical teams and Annual Leave 28 days a year plus 8 Statutory holidays, rising to 31 days after 3 years Pension 3% employer contribution, 5% employee contribution, enhanced by salary exchange Probationary Period 6 months Reporting to Workplace Leeds Employment Team Leader DBS Check Level Enhanced Introduction We have faith and optimism in the people who access our services and so delivery is built around their needs. We support the people of Leeds West Yorkshire to discover their own resources to ‘recover’ from periods of poor mental health, and to live life in Our values of Being Open, Supportive, Brave, Connected and Resourceful are pivotal to the work we do. dependently with their mental health difficulties. , a core part of Leeds Mind , provides specialist, community WorkPlace Leeds based mental health employment support across the city, following the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) employment is a vital part of mental health recovery. Our service helps individuals to find or sustain meaningful work, maintain relationships, contribute to their communities, and reduce loneliness and isolation. Support is deliver through a combination of co llaboration , ensuring a holistic and person and multi - disciplinary model. We believe that one - to - one sessions -centred approach. - ed Belonging at Leeds Mind Leeds Mind is committed to creating an inclusive environment and inclusion are at the heart of everything that we do. – equity, diversity We are committed to ensuring that our colleagues, volunteers and people who access our services feel a sense of belonging at Leeds Mind that gives them the confidence to share their unique perspectives and experience. By creating an inclusive environment that fosters belonging, we aspire to attract colleagues and volunteers who offer diversity of experience and thought. We believe this will ultimately improve the service we provide as well as the employee and volunteer experience. To find out more about how we are developing this you can click here . Purpose of the role To provide an IPS employment support individuals who are accessing secondary mental health services service in line with Leeds Mind values to in Leeds. You will be required to manage a caseload of health difficulties and who are either unemployed or seeking to clients who have experienced mental return to current employment following long term absence approach (according to the key principles of IPS). You will work stakeholders, including employers, to support the client to gain and retain paid employment. . You will be expected to deliver the IPS with all relevant We encourage all interested candidates to watch an introductory video the impact of being an IPS Employment Specialist. Follow this link to the video Transform Lives Through Employment - IPS - 2024 (youtube.com) which describes - Main Tasks and Responsibilities This role is ideal for a proactive, client-focused individual passionate about supporting people with mental health challenges in achieving their employment goals. • Support individuals with difficulties secure and /or retain meaningful employment, in line with their career aspirations and abilities. moderate and enduring mental health to • Manage a caseload of approx. 20 clients , tracking progress, providing regular feedback, and ensuring timely interventions to meet employment goals. • Develop personalised action plans to help clients identify job goals, overcome barriers, and prepare for job search and interviews. • Engage in regular employer outreach , including cold calling, networking, and face - to -face meetings, to create a network of supportive workplaces. • Build and maintain employer relationships to identify job opportunities, promote the benefits of employing individuals with mental health challenges, stigma of mental health in the workplace, employer and employee. and provide ongoing support to both challenge the • Conduct one - to - one job coaching and provide advice on CV writing, job applications, interview techniques reasonable adjustments in the to retain suitable posts. , safely disclosing mental health in the workplace, workplace , wellness action plans, and in work support • Work in close collaboration with clinical teams and other professionals to ensure a holistic , ‘wrap around’ approach to employment support awareness of our approach to these teams. location and regular attendance to multi -disciplinary meetings. , as well as promoting This will include regular community co - • Maintain accurate and timely records of client interactions, employer engagements, and employment outcomes, ensuring compliance with data protection policies and our fidelity quality guidelines . • Deliver ongoing in - work support any issues related to mental health or job performance. to help clients sustain employment, addressing • Monitor and evaluate client progress and adapt support plans accordingly, with a focus on achieving long -term employment sustainability. Organisation • Participate in monthly 1:1s, quarterly performance and development meetings , and compulsory Leeds Mind training programme s . • Attend and participate in service/team meetings. • Work within the framework of Leeds Mind’s policies and procedures. • Promote the values, behaviours, and ethos of Leeds Mind • Respond and report on safeguarding concerns in line with the Leeds Mind safeguarding policy and procedure. • Undertake any other reasonable duties as and when required. Person Specification Essential Desirable Knowledge/ Qualifications • GSCE English and Maths (or equivalent) at grade C/4 or • Qualification in vocational rehabilitation, mental health, above mediation/ advocacy, or related • Basic k nowledge and/or fields. awareness of the barriers faced, • Advanced understanding of The and support required for people Individual Placement and Support experiencing mental health Employment model (IPS) , and it’s difficulties i n the workplace . fidelity quality measures. • Basic understanding of • Knowledge of the local job market Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults, and available employment Children and Young People opportunities. • Basic understanding of the Individual Placement and • Understanding of employment law and reasonable adjustments Support (IPS) model or other for individuals with disabilities or supported employment mental health conditions. approaches. • Requires an active UK driver's • Knowledge of the benefits system, including Universal Credit license and access to a vehicle and Employment Support for the purposes of business and Allowance. commu ting. • Developed understanding of safeguarding policies and practices when working with vulnerable individuals. Skills/Ability • Basic level of IT skills, inc. use of • Elevated level of IT skills, Microsoft Word and Excel . inc luding the use of databases, • Strong organisational skills, able to manage a caseload, prioritise tasks, and meet deadlines / targets. wider MS Office functions , online job -search platforms , and clinical client management systems. • Empathy and sensitivity when working with individuals • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to persuade, experiencing mental health empower, motivate, and mediate • Proven ability to network and engage with employers (or stakeholder s ), promoting the benefits of hiring individuals with mental health challenges. difficulties, maintaining a non - judgemental and supportive approach. • Initiative to network and engage with employers (or stakeholder s ). • Problem -solving skills with a solution -focused mindset, able to help clients overcome barriers to employment and empower them t o gain employment that matches their aspirations and experience. • C ommunication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and engage effectively with clients, employers, and clinical teams. Experience • Experience in a similar role supporting individuals with • Experience of working within mental health employment mental health conditions or services , alongside clinical teams disabilities . (particularly in an IPS service) . • Experience of delivering support in a performance - driven • Coaching or mentoring experience, particularly with environment, meeting specific vulnerable or disadvantaged outcome targets. groups in community or clinical settings . • Previous experience with employer engagement or job development activities. • Lived experience of mental health difficulties • A commitment to the Individual Placement and Support approach to mental health recovery. Behavioural • Lives our values every day – Being Open, Supportive, Brave, Connected, and Resourceful • Open to change and able to work flexibly in line with the needs of the service/organisation • Commitment to working in partnership with service users, management, and staff • Understanding of the challenges faced by people experiencing mental health difficulties • Demonstrate a commitment to equality and diversity in the workplace • Commitment to safeguarding clients and others you may encounter as part of your role.
People & Culture Assistant Job Description and Person Specification People & Culture Assistant Hours 30 hours per week Leeds Mind Grade Contract Location Grade 2 Permanent Clarence House, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 4LB with occasional travel across Leeds and surrounding areas Annual Leave 28 days a year plus 8 Statutory holidays, rising to 31 days after 3 years 3% employer contribution, 5% employee contribution, enhanced by salary exchange 6 months People & Culture Team Leader Basic Pension Probationary Period Reporting to DBS Check Level Introduction Leeds Mind is the city’s leading mental health charity. We have faith and optimism in our clients and so the services we deliver are built around their needs. We support the people of Leeds to discover their own resources to ‘recover’ from periods of poor mental health, their mental health condition. and to live life independently with Our values of Being Open, Supportive, Brave, Connected, and Resourceful are pivotal to the work we do. Reporting to the People & Culture Team Leader, the People and Culture Assistant will provide first -line support for all People managers and employees, and be responsible for all P&C administration and HR I nformation System (HRIS) data input and reporting -related queries from . (P&C) Belonging at Leeds Mind Leeds Mind is committed to creating an inclusive environment and being an equal - We believe that inclusive practices should be part of opportunities employer everything we do. volunteers, and service users feel a sense of belonging at Leeds Mind that gives them the confidence to share their unique perspectives and experience. We are committed to ensuring that our colleagues, To find out more about how we are developing this you can click here . Purpose of the role Reporting to the People and Culture Team Leader, this is a key role within the People & Culture team at Leeds Mind. It oversees all employee HR administration , HRIS input and development relating to the entire employee life cycle. The main focus of this role is providing an excellent people experience to all employees and volunteers with a wide range of , and supporting the wider People and Culture team procedures and projects. Team Structure Main Tasks and Responsibilities HR • Provide customer -focussed first -line People a nd Culture support across all Leeds Mind policies and in accordance with the full employee lifecycle, procedures, UK employment law, GDPR and Charity Commission regulations , ensuring prompt escalation to the People and Culture Team Leader where necessary . • Become a subject matter expert on all Leeds Mind policies and procedures. • Maintain thorough monitoring and management of the HR Services email inbox at all times. • Ensure clear visibility of workloads and progress made including maintaining HR Trackers checks completed by People and Culture Team Leader. and other administrative checks , ready for audit • Proactively assist the People and Culture team with policy review work and project support Wellbeing to ensure continuous , including Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging, and improvements of the service . • Supporting the People and Culture Team Leader with note -taking at formal meetings where necessary. • Prepare all monthly payroll administration to ensure the accurate payment of all employees. Recruitment • Provide timely and effective end to end recruitment and onboarding administration , including producing accurate written terms and conditions for all employees and volunteers as required. • Ensure filing of all applications, interview documentation and correspondence in line with GDPR requirements. • Set up all new starters on the HRIS and monitor progress of their induction process and probationary periods, sending appropriate reminders to line managers as necessary. • Ensure compliance with legal and S afer R ecruitment checks (eg. Right to Work, and DBS ) for all employees and volunteers. Training and development • Maintain the training system for all mandatory and additional training monitor ing completion rates, problems . and identifying and responding to any • Design and deliver training to employees and volunteers to ensure effective and efficient procedures. HRIS implementation of People and Culture systems and • Manage and maintain up to date records for all employees and volunteers within the HRIS system . • Monitor employee sickness absence and produce weekly sickness reports for the People and Culture Team Leader. • Produce monthly comprehensive People reports for each service area as required by the People and Culture Team Leader . Organisation • Coordinate the issue of regular i nternal communication s for employees and volunteers , including monthly newsletters . • Provide coordination and administrative support for organisational events , including Colleague Conferences and wellbeing activities. • Support the People and Culture team with the maintenance o f the People and Culture SharePoint pages. • Own the Policy Review schedule supporting Senior Leadership Team with policy review reminders and updating Sharepoint/HRIS with new policies. • Participate in 1:1s, performance and development, including Leeds Mind mandatory training . • Attend and participate in service/team meetings . • Work within the framework of Leeds Mind’s policies and procedures . • Promote the values, behaviours and ethos of Leeds Mind . • Respond and report on safeguarding concerns in line with the Leeds Mind safeguarding policy and procedure . • Living our core values every day . • Undertake any other reasonable duties as and when required . Person Specification Essential Desirable • CIPD qualification (level 3 or above) • Employment Law training • Ability to troubleshoot basic HRIS issues develop functionality. and Knowledge/ Qualifications • GSCE English and Maths (or equivalent) at grade C/4 or above • HR policies and process knowledge • Employment law understanding • Knowledge of Safer Recruitment checks (Right to Work, DBS) Skills/Ability • High level of IT skills, proficient with a wide range of Microsoft Office programmes (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, CRM Database) • Outstanding attention to detail, organisational & prioritisation skills • Confident communication and customer care skills • Ability to work autonomously & use initiative • Ability to build positive working relationships internally and externally. • Minute and note -taking in both meetings. Experience • Proven experience • Experience undertaking HR administering & advising within a professional context, ensuring organisational legal and compliance • Experience of handling confidential and/or sensitive information • Experience of using HRIS presenting data & administration and projects • Experience working within P&C / HR within third or mental health sector • E xperience of recruitment & onboarding administration • Experience of payroll administration • Lived experience of mental health difficulties. Behavioural – • Optimistic and resilient to deal with conflicting priorities and, at times, complex administration • A growth mindset and desire to make Leeds Mind a better place for colleagues and volunteers and the people we support • Lives our values every day Being Open, Supportive, Brave, Connected, and Resourceful. • Open to change and able to work flexibly in line with the needs of the service/organisation. • Commitment to working in partnership with service users, management, and employee. • Understanding of the challenges faced by people experiencing mental health difficulties. • Demonstrate a commitment to equality and diversity in the workplace. • Commitment to safeguarding clients and others you may come into contact with as part of your role.