Job overview

A rare opportunity for a motivated individual who has lived experience of the Criminal Justice System including custody in prison.

Do you want to become involved in working with a nurse-led support service, to support prison leavers with their health and social needs?

Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) is seeking to recruit people with lived experience of the Criminal Justice System to join our NHS Reconnect service which covers East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton and Hove.

This post would be ideal for someone who wishes to use their own experiences of Prison and the Criminal Justice Service to help support people who are leaving prison and might otherwise struggle to engage with professionals.

Experience of peer support work is desirable, but not required, as the role depends more upon your ability to use your personal experience to support others and your aspiration to do so whilst being part of a NHS team that is supportive, approachable and dedicated to the role. Training will be provided.

The ability to commute independently across the Sussex area is essential, and expenses are covered by the Trust.

The foundation of peer support is based on the recognition that there is no better person to support the path towards recovery than someone who has walked the same path as that individual. We actively seek peers who have lived experience of both the CJS and a health and social care need, e.g. mental health, substance misuse, etc.

Main duties of the job

The Peer Support Worker will provide peer support and practical assistance to clients in order for them to engage with appropriate services, you will help them develop an identity outside of the criminal justice system, and regain control over their lives and their own unique recovery process. 

The Peer Support Worker will help develop rapport between Reconnect professionals, the client and professional partner agencies.

The Peer Support Worker will contribute their unique insights to team discussions, support planning and advocacy.

The Peer Support worker will help the team reduce barriers to care, address power imbalances in therapeutic relationships and support with Quality Improvement initiatives from the perspective of lived-experience.

Working for our organisation

By joining Team MPFT, you will be helping  your communities and in return for this, we will support you by; 

• Supporting your career development and progression
• Excellent NHS Pension scheme
• Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Options for flexible working
• Up to 27 days annual leave (increasing with service up to 33 days) 
• Extensive Health and Wellbeing support and resources
• If you work in our community teams, we pay for your time travelling between patients
• Lease car if you complete more than 500 business miles per annum, fully insured and maintained (including tyres), mileage paid at lease car rate
• Salary sacrifice car - fully insured and maintained (including tyres), your gross pay is reduced by the cost of the vehicle before tax, NI and pension deductions are calculated, mileage paid at business rates
• Salary sacrifice bikes up to £2k
• Free car parking at all trust sites
• Free flu vaccinations every year
• Citizens Advice support linked with a Hardship Fund for one off additional support up to £250 (if the criteria is met)

We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive organisation and there is a choice of staff networks that help you meet like-minded people. 

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.  

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications