Job summary 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.
About us 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.
Job description Job 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 Training relevant to mental health EXPERIENCE Essential 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