Peer Mentor Role Description

2. Peer Mentor Role Description 3. Service All services West Kent

Role Title Peer Mentor CGL528

Hours Where potential Peer mentor is in receipt of benefits their advisor must be informed prior to arranging any roles and responsibilities with a specific project coordinator. Hours can be unlimited but will be agreed by Volunteer, Peer Mentor Co-ordinator

Reports to Volunteer, Peer Mentor Co-ordinator/ Themed Lead

Purpose of Role As directed by the Volunteer, Peer Mentor Co-ordinator, to support service users into and through recovery acting as a positive role model for them and the service. Advocate and sign post Service Users providing accurate and up to date information for them. Fulfil roles agreed through supervision and continued assessment for specific project needs.

Key Activities:  Provide support to service users through agreed roles and responsibilities

 Support service users to address their offending behaviour and drug use

 Support service users to establish non-judgemental supportive relationships

 Support specific project requirements in accordance with service user needs

 Where agreed and signed off fulfil one to one roles with service users to provide different levels of practical support

 Assist service users to access education, training, employment opportunities and leisure activities

 Empower service users to access a range of holistic services that support their recovery

 Feedback any issues to staff supervising volunteers in a supervision environment

 Adhere to safe working practices implemented from a variety of risk assessments carried out by the project co-ordinator/ themed lead/ manager

 Referral to a range of treatment/community support agencies.

 Fulfil specified roles and responsibilities agreed through supervision with themed lead, coordinator/ manager

1 Person Specification

Essential criteria:  In Recovery from drugs and alcohol or has supported a friend/ family member through Recovery  If accessing treatment is fully engaging in all requirements set by their Recovery Worker.  If in receipt of prescribed medication, such as physeptone and buprenorphine, must be stable and working towards a reduction plan.  If under the Probation Services, must be fully engaged and meeting all requirements set by their Probation Officer.  Knowledge of the issues facing problematic drug users on a day to day issue.  Good level of personal organisation skill.  Empathic, solution focussed approach.  Excellent listening and communication skills with a range of people. And the ability to:  Communicate confidently and effectively, verbally and in writing.  Offer quality time and abide by any stipulations agreed with a benefits advisor.  Able to respect and maintain confidentiality.  Have a clear understanding of appropriate boundaries.  Work as a member of a team  Enthuse, motivate and carry projects forward.  Initiate and develop positive relationships with others.  Be creative in the implementation and building of Recovery Capital.  Show a capacity to work alone and the ability to keep calm under pressure.  Adhere to policy guidelines  Work with people to establish non-judgemental supportive relationships.  Provide objective, supportive assistance to help people through difficult periods in their lives.  Act as a positive role model showing Recovery is possible and achievable.  Be flexible in approach in terms of when the service requires a Peer Mentor.  Plan and carry out set objectives  Show commitment to facilitating positive outcomes for service users  Seek to improve personal performance contributions, knowledge and skills.  Willingness to work to meet any areas for improvement through training.

This role is subject to ongoing risk assessments with full Peer Mentor responsibilities implemented once a Disclosure and Barring Check at an enhanced level has been completed. General terms of reference: In carrying out the above duties the post holder will:  Seek to improve personal performance, contribution, knowledge and skills  Participate in appraisal and supervision processes.  Attend and take part in the induction and complete Certa Level 2 Diploma in Peer Mentoring before starting placement.  Fulfil schedule commitments and where necessary inform line manager of any absenteeism, appointments or holiday arrangements  Abide by and observe all cgl policies.  Contribute to maintaining safe systems of work and a safe environment.  Undertake other duties appropriate to the development in the role of mentor

2 Volunteer, Peer Mentor Coordinators, Themed leads and Managers please use the table below as guidance

Roles Peer Mentor whilst in training Peer Mentor once completed Diploma

1:1’s No Yes - on completion of role assessment and competency

Facilitate group work No Yes

Assist delivery structured Yes - on completion of role Yes - on completion of role assessment and sessions assessment and competency competency

Support Reception with No Yes - on completion of role assessment and Meet & Greet competency

Auditing Dependant on audit Yes - on completion of role assessment and requirements competency

Buddying to Appointments No –but can accompany worker Yes - on completion of role assessment and competency

Supporting Recovery/ Care No –but can support worker Yes - on completion of role assessment and Plan Goals competency

Attending client treatment No Yes - on completion of role assessment and appointments competency

Buddying to mutual aid Yes Yes groups

Act as Recovery Champion/ Yes Yes Coach

Positive role model Yes Yes

Advocating on behalf of Yes - on completion of role Yes - on completion of role assessment and Service Users assessment and competency competency

Shadowing workers to fulfil No Yes - on completion of role assessment and role and responsibilities of competency Peer Mentor

All above roles are decided through a process of assessment and skills identified. Other influencing factors that need to be considered are confidentiality, risk assessment and relevant policies to the specific role. These roles are decided by Themed Lead, Coordinator or Manager. If in doubt guidance must be obtained from National Volunteer Management Team.