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Job summary

Main area
Mental Health
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
37.5 hours per week (part time hours considered)
Job ref
354-AE-21057-A
Employer
Sussex Partnership NHS FoundationTrust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Department of Psychiatry
Town
Eastbourne
Salary
£26,530 - £29,114 pa / pro rata for part time
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
26/02/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Sussex Partnership NHS FoundationTrust logo

Carer Peer Support Specialist

NHS AfC: Band 4

Come and join us

We're looking for people who share our values (compassion, accountability and optimism) to help us provide high quality care to the patients, carers, families and local communities we serve. We specialise in providing NHS mental health and learning disability services.

So what can we offer you in return?

We're an organisation which puts people first. We'll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. We'll help you learn, acquire new skills and gain further experience to support your career development. And we'll provide the opportunity for you to bring your fresh ideas to work about how we can do things differently and continue improving.

You will also be joining a health and care system committed to working together to do the best we can for the communities we serve. Above all, at Sussex Partnership you'll have the chance to make a difference to the lives of the patients, carers and families across our communities.

As a Trust we are committed in making a difference. Your development is important to us, so don't forget to ask us during interview what opportunities we can offer. We can offer fully funded lifelong learning opportunities such as an apprenticeship from GCSE to Masters level.

If you like the sound of that, then come and join our team.

Job overview

As part of our ambition to deliver outstanding care we are looking to recruit a Carer Peer Support Specialist to complement our existing multi-disciplinary team. If you have had your own experience of caring for an individual with mental health issues and would like to support other carers using your experience and skills, please apply.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for a someone that has lived experience of being a carer for an individual(s) with serious mental health issues.  As an integral and highly valued member of our multi-disciplinary team, the Carer Peer Support Specialist will provide formalised peer support and practical assistance to carers and family members of those accessing the service,  empowering them to build control over their lives and access support for themselves.

We are building a new hospital in Bexhill to replace our inpatient services at the Department of Psychiatry. This means that, if you are successful in your application, you will be asked to transfer to the new facilities when they open in 2025.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Main duties of the job

The Carer Peer Support Specialist works collaboratively and aims to assist in improving the wellbeing of families and carers of people who use inpatient care services; by supporting carers directly, providing support to carer groups, developing and maintaining relationships with the service provider teams, joining and facilitating a carers’ network, and contributing to service development by representing carers at leadership meetings.

                                                                                                               

Working for our organisation

If you join Sussex Partnership as a Carer Peer Support Specialist you will be part of an ambitious service to deliver excellent care. You will be part of a multi-disciplinary team locally but also a growing peer support network across the organisation.  We offer access to peer-led training, mentoring and development and you will have opportunities to develop and grow in this role. 

                                                                                                                                                 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To share and discuss common experiences with families and carers, establishing and maintaining relationships while developing trust and rapport.

Support carers directly with improving wellbeing, making sense of difficult experiences and developing skills and confidence for planning ahead.

Signpost and mentor families and carers by providing information about support and services available and support them to access them.

Work collaboratively with the other Carer Peer Support Specialists locally to develop best practice, share learning and support each other.

Identify and strengthen families’ and carers’ partnerships with the service provider in order to improve the support they receive. 

Actively seek to understand, communicate and support families’ and carers’ views and needs to internal and external stakeholders in a variety of settings.

Develop links to other organisations that support carers and local networks across statutory and voluntary services.

Participate in professional supervision with a Senior Peer Support Coordinator as well as local clinical supervision. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Person specification

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential criteria
  • Training relevant to mental health

EXPERIENCE

Essential criteria
  • Lived experience as a family member/carer for someone with mental health issues
  • Knowledge of the mental health system and carers support services
  • Understanding of family issues, including in culturally diverse communities

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyDisability confident leaderDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - BronzeCare quality commission - GoodArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardStep into healthPride In Veterans

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Deb Owen
Job title
Peer Support Lead
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07591976045
Additional information

We strongly encourage visiting the service before interview, please contact Barbara Crosland, Clinical Operational Manager- Eastbourne Pathway
[email protected]

Mobile: 07545 975 331

 

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