Lead Peer Navigator

Advert (Indeed and local job sites)

Job title: Lead Peer Navigator

Location: Based in Eastbourne and Hastings, working across East Sussex

Pay: £22,495 per year (28 hours per week; full-time equivalent £30,127.50)

Job type: Part-time, fixed-term (funded until March 2030)

About the role

Seaview Project is launching a new service as part of the Next Steps Programme, and we're looking for a Lead Peer Navigator to help build it from the ground up.

You'll lead and support a team of paid and volunteer Peer Navigators who use their own lived experience to connect with people facing multiple disadvantage. Together, you'll reach people who aren't in touch with services, or who don't feel services are for them, and work alongside them at their pace.

This is a chance to shape a service from day one, and to help the voices of the people we support change how services work across the county.

SUMMARY

The Lead Peer Navigator supports both paid and unpaid Peer Navigators who are engaging with individuals facing multiple disadvantage and they will work as members of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) on an outreach basis. Working as part of the Next Steps Programme, the postholder will ensure that personalised support is provided for people facing multiple disadvantage, and they will utilise their own lived experiences to relate, communicate, engage, and support individuals as well as being an inspirational role model.

The Lead Peer Navigator will support the team to build links in the county, creating strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including community-based groups.

They will facilitate methods for gaining feedback from individuals the team supports, both formally and informally, to feed into the programme to inform system change work.

They will be offered ongoing support by the Service Manager relevant to the role, and offered training, professional development and reflective practice supervision.

TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

· To support peer navigators to engage individuals experiencing multiple disadvantage, with the aim of exploring their needs, and engaging them with the wider MDT.

· Ensure that friendly and consistent spaces are made available for the team to meet clients to include: one to one and group activities for individuals to engage in an informal way which is not overtly addressing recovery needs.

· To coordinate work alongside other professionals in the MDT to ensure support is provided to named individuals as part of a coordinated support plan.

· To coach the team in utilising their own personal experiences of homelessness, domestic abuse, substance misuse, mental health difficulties or contact with the criminal justice system to communicate with individuals, aid their engagement, show empathy and act as a role model.

· To work closely with community-based projects and local facilitators in supporting engagement in focused activities.

· Working creatively to target individuals who may not be in touch with mainstream services, those isolated in communities, unaware of services, or who do not feel services are for them.

· To undertake a training programme to develop leadership skills and abilities required and actively taking part in their own personal development plan while developing personal development plans for the team.

· To deputise for the Service Manager, attending multi agency meetings, contributing to facilitating team meetings / offering group supervision with the aim of developing the team.

· To gain feedback from individuals on their experience of services and feedback to the central programme team, either formally, as case studies or as informal feedback.

· To keep case notes and share data as appropriate in accordance with GDPR.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

· Lived experience of at least 3 of the following: homelessness, substance misuse, mental health issues, contact with the criminal justice system and domestic abuse.

· Experience of providing peer support in a paid role.

· Understanding of professional boundaries and ability to apply these in a community setting/lone working, communicating the need for them and able to coach others.

· Ability to communicate confidently and effectively, verbally and in writing.

· Bringing an empathetic and non-judgmental attitude towards individuals experiencing multiple disadvantage.

· Ability and commitment to build relationships with individuals to rebuild trust and hope.

· Work as a member of a team.

· Emotional resilience and the ability to keep calm under pressure.

· IT skills sufficient to undertake data and administrative tasks.

· Knowledge of local area and links with relevant community networks and groups.

General Terms of Reference

• You will seek to improve personal performance, contribution, knowledge and skills.
• You will participate in appraisal, training and supervision processes.
• You will keep abreast of developments in services and practice relevant to the client group.
• You will keep the Service Co-ordinator fully apprised of all progress and concerns.
• You will contribute to maintaining safe systems of work and a safe environment.
• You will, as part of the generic team approach, be prepared to work in other areas of Seaview Project as required.
• You will ensure that safeguarding and risk concerns are shared in line with inter agency data sharing protocol, Caldicott’s principles and GDPR.

If you think you can join us in our vision that with the right support, people can achieve their full potential, please get in touch.

What we offer

• Support from the Service Manager, plus a training programme and your own professional development plan
• Regular reflective practice & supervision
• 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays (full-time equivalent, pro rata)
• 8% pension (4% employee + 4% employer)

At Seaview, we believe that with the right support, people can achieve their full potential. That includes the people on our team.

Closing date: Monday 2nd November at 9:00am
Questions or an informal chat: Hollie Taylor, Service Manager at [email protected]

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. If you need any adjustments to apply or attend an interview, just let us know.

Pay: £22,495.00 per year

Application question(s):

• Do you have access to a vehicle with business insurance during your working hour?

Experience:

• supporting complex needs: 2 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (required)

Work Location: In person