Zest

Mental Health Peer Support Worker
Location: Zest Centre and City Centre PCN
Salary: £24,720, pro rata
Hours: 2 days / 14hrs
Holidays: 25 days pa plus 8 statutory holidays, pro rata
Responsible to Health Services Manager

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Health Team as a Mental Health Peer Support Worker in an exciting, citywide project managed by Synergy, Sheffield’s Mental Health Alliance.
This post will support individuals attending a GP Practice in the City Centre and SHU Primary Care Network (PCN).

You will bring lived experience and a compassionate, person centred approach to support local people experiencing mental health issues and connect them to activities in their community. You will have a small caseload and work 14 hours or 2 days across the week.

We provide clinical supervision for this post and you would be part of a citywide team of Peer Support Workers across Sheffield.

We offer 25 days holiday rising to 30 (pro-rata), plus 8 statutory days paid holiday (pro rata), a pension scheme and other benefits, including subsidised gym/pool membership.

Job Description

Purpose of Job

To deliver peer support activities (1:1 and group) for people within the PCN area who are experiencing mental health difficulties.

Responsibilities

1. To work flexibly as a member of the Zest for Health team, liaising with colleagues as appropriate.

2. To work with GP surgeries to identify and engage clients who would benefit from Mental Health Peer Support.

3. To recruit and support Mental Health Peer Support volunteers where necessary. (after 6 months of project start date)

4. To provide support to people with mental health issues who live locally. This will involve 1:1 peer support session and facilitating group peer support activities in the area.

5. To be responsible for a caseload of clients, providing one to one and group-based support and advice. You will:

• Work with clients referred by Mental Health Peer Support Coordinator and refer for 1:1 or group support (or both).
• Support clients, through listening and sharing around lived experiences of mental health
• Adhere to professional boundaries
• Support clients to access and use local services
• Respond in a timely manner to client referrals, in line with contract Key Performance Indicators, ensuring all forms of communication are exhausted (text service, phone calls, emails)
• Keep accurate records and enter client information onto relevant databases, recognising GDPR
• Measure client progress through assessments and outcome measurement tools and record in the electronic client record
• Report to line manager the on progress of the case load on a regular basis and discuss any arising issues.
• Comply with safeguarding policy and procedure and report any risk / concerns appropriately.

6. Support the promotion of health and health improvement within the local community as appropriate, signposting where appropriate and maintaining good relationships with local agencies.

7. To contribute to and provide cover for physical activity groups as appropriate (e.g. Health walks).

8. Take an active part in developing own knowledge and skills and actively participate in Multi-disciplinary team meetings to share best practice and review cases.

9. To carry out any associated administrative duties as required.

10. To ensure the service works towards best practice in equality of opportunity.

11. To undertake training and other development activity in line with organisational and personal development needs.

12. To undertake any other duties as agreed with the Manager.

Person Specification

Essential

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Lived experience of receiving support for mental health in Sheffield. This could be from a statutory mental health service, community group or GP practice.
• Experience of managing own caseload of clients
• Experience of working in a community setting
• Experience of supporting clients in one to one and group settings
• Excellent communication skills and experience of sharing information to a range of audiences
• Knowledge of adult safeguarding policy and procedures, especially around mental health
• Strong organisational skills
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Ability to work in a team
• Good IT Skills
• Experience of data collection and monitoring
• Good standard of spoken and written English

Circumstances and Commitment

• Able to work evenings and weekends on occasion
• To support the aims of Zest
• Commitment to equality of opportunity
• Ability to travel around the city

Desirable

• Knowledge of local communities and local health issues
• Knowledge of the PCNs in Sheffield
• Understanding of relevant government policy and guidelines re: mental health/obesity/nutrition/physical activity and the 5 ways to wellbeing
• Ability to speak more than one language used by local people (Arabic, Urdu, Farsi, Somali)

To carry out all duties and responsibilities as described in line with ZEST policies and procedures, with particular attention to those relating to Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety and regarding volunteers who will work with children and vulnerable adults.

All applications must be on a Zest application form – we will not accept CVs.

Download the application_for_employment-2023

Completed application forms must be returned to HR@zestcommunity.co.uk

Alternatively post your application to – HR, Zest, 18 Upperthorpe, Sheffield S6 3NA.

Any informal enquiries regarding this post should be directed to maria.ashmore@zestcommunity.co.uk

Closing date: Wed 10th July 5pm
Interviews will take place Monday 15th July.
(only shortlisted candidates will be contacted)

ZEST is working towards best-practice in equality of opportunity.

You can find out more about the role by reading the guidance below.Sheffield Peer Support Framework Guidance