Do you have lived experience of recovery from an eating disorder?

The Sussex Eating Disorder Service (SEDS) is developing an exciting new Inpatient Transition Pathway (ITP)  to improve patient experience by minimising episodes of inpatient care and transforming transitions between community and inpatient services. The ITP will be based within SEDS,  an outpatient service delivering NICE recommended treatments and aims to provide the best possible care to adults living with eating disorders.

The role of the Eating Disorders Peer Support Worker (PSW) has been developed specifically for people who have lived experience of recovery from an eating disorder(s) and have ideally accessed support through an eating disorders inpatient service in relation to this. The PSW will be a positive role model, demonstrating empathy and using parts of their own story to inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible in others. 

As an integral and highly valued member of our multi-disciplinary team, the PSP will provide formalised peer support and practical assistance to service users, empowering them to regain control over their lives, building on a person's own abilities and individual strengths. They will also encourage and support service users to use community resources that are available to them and support the Eating Disorders Service with developing links with these resources.

Main responsibilities of the role:

·        To work with SEDS ITP colleagues with the aim of preventing admission to hospital and/or facilitate timely discharge home.

·        To model/mentor a recovery process and demonstrate coping skills, using own experience, using parts of your recovery story to inspire hope in others where appropriate

·        To actively contribute to multidisciplinary meetings and contribute to the shared formulation and ongoing treatment plans of clients.

·        Work alongside and communicate effectively with other members of the MDT and wider services.

·        To communicate effectively with family members and carers supporting a systemic approach to treatment and care plans.

·        To engage in co-production activities or projects and co-produce / co-facilitate groups (where possible)

·        To work autonomously with the support of your line manager whilst being aware of limitations of own role.

·        To undertake any other such duties as may reasonably fall within the remit of the post, as required by the Manager/Supervisor

We are committed to supporting staff well-being. We have close links with the local universities and support the training schemes, providing high quality student placements.

The trust is committed to strong integrated, collaborative leadership between managers and clinicians. 

Your benefits:

·        Access to full psychological support, via our internal wellbeing team

·        Excellent supervision programmes, with ongoing opportunities for training and development

·        Access to a host of discount schemes

·        A position within a trust rated as ‘Outstanding’ for caring and ‘Good’ overall by the CQC

·        Excellent NHS Pension

·        Generous holiday entitlement (starting at 27 days + 8 bank holidays)

About the Trust:

We provide mental health and learning disability care for children, young people, and adults across Sussex. SPFT is rated ‘good’ overall and ‘outstanding’ for caring by CQC. In our staff survey:

·        82% agree that care for patients is our top priority

·        70% highlight flexible working opportunities as key to satisfaction at work

·        79% report feeling able to make improvement to improve the work within their team

·        77% identify opportunities to show initiative in their roles

About Sussex:

Sussex is easily accessible from London, Gatwick, Surrey, and Hampshire and is a beautiful county with good transport links, vibrant communities and tourist attractions, including the Coast and the South Downs.