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As a Peer Support Worker, I am part of Rethink Mental Illness Thanet Crisis Peer Alternative Service.
This is a field based role and the post holder will be required to travel across the Thanet area to deliver the service. The role will involve some home working for administration etc. Postcodes CT7 to CT12
Working in our Operations Directorate, within our Community Services Division, I work within a team which provides high-quality, safe and person-centred support in the community – most importantly delivering great outcomes for people who are affected by common or severe mental health issues.
Rethink Mental Illness Thanet Crisis Peer Alternative Service provides support for people aged 18+ who have experienced a mental health crisis with appropriate post-crisis support, that will enable them to access longer term community help, so that a further crisis is less likely.
The service also supports those who have been unable to access more specialist mental health support or are waiting for services but may be at risk of crisis during that time without some level of emotional support.
Referrals will come from the NHS and statutory sector including the emergency services and from the voluntary sector.
The service provides intensive 121 support to a minimum of 140 people per year and runs 2 peer support groups in two different parts of Thanet each week. These groups are closed groups and run for 12 weeks at a time with between 4-6 people attending.
The service operates Monday to Friday 10am – 6pm, with weekend support coverage where appropriate support can be provided where this is an identified need.
The service is committed to in-person support, providing choice for people, particularly for the most vulnerable and although blended models of delivery may be used, in person support will be the predominate method of delivery in the service. The service will be delivered in a range of locations across Thanet including the person using the services home where appropriate.
This role of Crisis Peer Support Worker has been developed specifically for people who have lived experience of mental distress and are able to use their peer experience to offer empathy and understanding to others, inspiring hope and recovery with others. The Crisis Peer Support Worker will be stable and in a position where they can support people who have recently experienced crisis through a recovery process
Crisis Peer Support Workers will deliver goal-focussed, person-centred support to service users based on co-produced and sustainable recovery plans and this is delivered flexibly including evening or weekends if a service user requires this due to work or education commitments.
The service will have Peer Pathway roles which will allow for a person who have used the service to build group facilitation skills over time, building towards facilitation of an independent group where appropriate.
What I do and achieve
- I share my own personal experiences of recovery and coping with mental illness to build connection and provide support to service users
- I provide key worker support to a specified number of service users, including one to one individual support and liaison with other mental health agencies on behalf of people who use our services
- I identify and co-facilitate group based support for people in crisis
- I have the individual’s needs at the fore at all times, working to the recovery model and using communication, motivation and coaching skills to support the service user to achieve their goals and aspirations
- I develop a rapport with service users based on respect and honesty, the post holder will at all times work within clear professional boundaries and the Rethink Mental Illness Code of Conduct
- I enable and encourage service users to find out about local services and facilities within their community and facilitate access to alternative services where specific needs are identified
- I am familiar with individual Care/Recovery Plans and support people who use our services in achieving their goals.
- I encourage service users to recognise, understand and manage factors that affect their mental wellbeing and physical health
- I carry out needs assessments of clients choosing to engage within the service and prioritise needs effectively
- I carry out all individual safety and support planning within organisational and legislative requirements.
- I work with service users in developing, reviewing, monitoring and adapting support and safety plans
- I am responsible for ensuring that all aspects of service user support are fulfilled and all tasks are delivered within timescales and to agreed quality standards
- I liaise with other external agencies, complimentary therapies and community groups on behalf of people who use our services
- I undertake assessments in conjunction with statutory partners as appropriate to identify support needs of those referred to the service
- I contribute to the protection of individuals from the risk of abuse and harm to self and others who use our services
- I monitor and report to senior staff on the effectiveness of support delivery and contract performance.
Who I am?
- I have the ability to make a comprehensive assessment of an individual’s situation and needs; to develop, implement and review risk management plans and devise support plans and activities to meet these needs.
- I have experience of supporting people experiencing mental health crisis and those with complex emotional needs who are at risk of crisis.
- I have my own lived experience of mental illness and am prepared to use this openly in my role whilst maintaining strong boundaries to support people in crisis.
- I have experience of providing support to people with a mental illness; or experience of providing care and/or support services within another social care setting in either a paid or voluntary capacity.
- I have a strong working knowledge of mental health and appropriate intervention methods# QCF Diploma or NVQ level 3 in Care or Certificate in Community Mental Healthcare (or working towards) or an equivalent qualification.
- I am able to demonstrate behaviors consistent with the values of the Charity
- Appointments will be at the minimum of the band.
- London Allowance is paid for roles that are based within the Greater London area only.
We do reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Please see further details on our website
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Don’t meet all requirements?
If the role sounds exciting to you but your experience, skills or qualifications don’t exactly match every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply, you may be just the right person for our position!
Caring for our people.
We offer a wide range of support. Some of our benefits include:
PULSE: our recognition, rewards, wellbeing, and benefits platform. Providing access to thousands of discounts and benefits including cashback; reloadable cards; savings etc. As well as being able to thank colleagues and nominate them for awards.
Wagestream: gives you instant access to up to 50% of your pay. Also provides a library of expert tools, tips and articles plus, helps you start building a rainy-day pot straight from your salary.
Wellbeing support: our Wellbeing hub gives physical, emotional, and mental health support. We also have a BUPA Employee Assistance Programme with access to appointments.
Taking time for you: we work flexibly –you get to choose where you work, managing your own diary. We have generous annual leave, starting at 25 rising to 30 days, plus bank holidays, as well as your birthday off. We also offer the opportunity to buy and sell annual leave.
Planning for the future: We have a contributory pension scheme.
Structured Corporate Induction: Onboarding you into the Charity supporting your wellbeing along the way.
£300 when you introduce a Friend: receive up to £300 when you introduce a friend or family member.
Who are we?
We’re Rethink Mental Illness, a leading charity provider of mental health services in England. We support thousands of people through our groups, services, policy, campaigns and advice and information. Our work supports us in delivering on our mission: “A better life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.”
It is an exciting time to join our growing charity. We are on a transformation journey, one that supports the delivery of the organisation strategy – delivering Communities that Care. Supporting employees, managers and leaders through this change is a key priority for the People function. Just like its key that we attract diverse people to come and work for us.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer. We recognise and support staff networks for our Black, Asian and minority ethnic and our LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter.
Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation
We have an ambition of become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider - and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our anti-racist statement . We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan which demonstrate our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.
We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (or questioning), Intersex and (asexual) (LGBTQIA+), people with a disability, and people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.
If you have any questions about the position, please contact -
