Carer Peer Support Specialist

We are looking for a new Carer Peer Support Specialist to be based at the East Brighton Community Mental Health Centre, working with the Specialist Older Adults Mental Health Service. The team works with older people who have mental health needs and/ or a dementia diagnosis. Many of the people we work with have friends or family who act as unpaid carers.

The role of the Carer Peer Support Specialist is to provide information and support to these Carers; to help them understand the mental health system and to help them work collaboratively with our clinical team to achieve the best possible outcomes for their loved ones.

This role includes responsibilities such as:

• Supporting Carers directly.
• Providing useful information for Carers about mental health.
• Building support networks for Carers.
• Working with the clinical team to build collaborative alliances with Carers who may be struggling.
• Contributing to service development by ensuring the 'Carer voice' is always represented.

Additional duties include:

Do you have expertise from your own experience of caring for someone with mental health problems? Are you looking for an opportunity to share what you have learnt with other Carers and to work with a community mental health team to improve Carer engagement and involvement?

The successful candidate must be able to travel, preferably being able to drive using their own transport.

Qualifications and experience:

• Health care or relevant NVQ Level 3 or equivalent skills acquired through experience
• A recognised Peer Support qualification, e.g. Level 3 Certificate in Peer Support Work, or an in-depth understanding of peer support approach
• Evidence of a commitment to lifelong learning, Lived experience as a family member/carer for someone with severe mental illness
• Knowledge of the mental health system and carers support services
• Understanding of family issues, including in culturally diverse communities
• Experience of giving and receiving peer support and ability to describe the benefits, Successful candidates are normally appointed to the bottom of the pay scale unless previous NHS experience in a similar role can be evidenced.
• At SPFT we put people first. We'll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. You'll have opportunities to learn, grow and gain new experiences to support your career, with access to lifelong learning and professional development.
• We actively promote flexible working and understand how important work life balance is, especially in healthcare. Whether it's part time hours, hybrid working or flexible start and finish times, we'll explore what works for you and the role. We recognise that tools like AI are becoming part of everyday life and you may choose to use them when preparing your application.
  
  We welcome this, as long as what you submit reflects your own experience, skills and voice. AI can be helpful for structuring or refining your answers, but it should not replace your own examples or create content that isn't based on your real experience. Our recruitment process is designed to get to know you, and we'll explore your examples further at interview, so it's important your application genuinely represents what you bring.
  
  You can read more about using AI in applications and interviews on our recruitment process page. We're shaping a workplace where ideas are encouraged, technology supports you and everyone has a voice in how we improve. If that sounds like the kind of organisation you want to be part of, we'd love to hear from you.
• We are a 9-5 Monday to Friday service, but the working pattern can be negotiated with the successful candidate.