Location: London, United Kingdom
Contract Type: Full-Time
Employer: Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Posted: 4 days ago
Closing Date: 28 February 2025
Salary: £31,944 – £34,937 per year
Job Overview
The HIV Peer Support Worker (PSW) role is specifically designed for individuals who have lived experience with an HIV diagnosis and have successfully navigated their own recovery journey. This role is integral to supporting others facing similar challenges, offering both emotional and practical peer support. As an HIV PSW, you will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team and external agencies to provide structured, personalized support that empowers service users to manage their condition and achieve their recovery goals.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
As an HIV Peer Support Worker, you will:
- Peer Support: Provide emotional and practical support, offering advice on managing HIV and adjusting to the diagnosis.
- Sharing Personal Experience: Use your own recovery journey to inspire hope and demonstrate that a fulfilling life is possible after an HIV diagnosis.
- Collaborative Care: Work with the multidisciplinary team (MDT) to identify goals, create self-management plans, and refer clients to appropriate services.
- One-on-One and Group Sessions: Conduct individual peer support sessions and co-facilitate educational workshops, groups, and support events.
- Co-Facilitation of Events: Support and co-facilitate events for the Bloomsbury Network (BN), working with people living with HIV to foster social, educational, and emotional connections.
- Support in Community Engagement: Actively engage with the community by providing signposting for external resources and helping clients access services that support their wellbeing, such as housing, immigration, or financial support.
- Flexible Hours: The role requires a flexible approach to working hours, including some evening and weekend work to support events and services.
Why Join Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust?
This position offers a fulfilling opportunity to work directly with individuals who have lived through similar experiences, using your own journey to empower others. The trust is committed to supporting your professional development through training, supervision, and peer support activities.
Person Specification
The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications, experience, and skills:
Qualifications
- Essential:
- Willingness to undertake or complete peer support worker training (preferably accredited).
- Evidence of personal recovery principles training.
- Desirable:
- Accredited certificate in Life Coaching or Counselling Skills.
- NVQ3 or equivalent in a relevant field.
Experience
- Essential:
- Personal experience of living with an HIV diagnosis and navigating the recovery process.
- Demonstrated ability to manage personal HIV care and self-management.
- Willingness to share personal experiences of recovery to inspire and support others.
- Experience working in health and social care settings, either paid or unpaid.
- Experience supporting individuals in setting and achieving personal goals in health-related or social care settings.
- Desirable:
- Experience as a peer support worker (paid or unpaid).
- Experience as an asylum seeker.
Skills and Knowledge
- Essential:
- A solid understanding of the needs and issues faced by people living with HIV.
- Knowledge of Intentional Peer Support principles.
- Desirable:
- Basic knowledge of food hygiene, first aid, and health and safety protocols.
Additional Requirements
- A Disclosure and Barring Service Check is required for this post.
- Sponsorship for Skilled Workers: Applications from job seekers requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcomed.
Apply Now
If you have lived experience with HIV and are passionate about supporting others on their recovery journeys, apply by 28 February 2025 for the HIV Peer Support Worker position at Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust.
