Inclusion Barnet Peer Researcher

Inclusion Barnet – Peer Researcher

35 hours per week Based in Colindale, NW9 but working across the London Borough of Barnet as required Six month contract, possibility of extension subject to funding

About Inclusion Barnet

The power of experience

Inclusion Barnet is a Disabled People’s Organisation working across all disabilities, including learning disability and mental health. It is an independent, user led, third sector organisation that promotes accessibility for disabled people by breaking down barriers to employment and social inclusion.

Inclusion Barnet are working in partnership with other local organisations, both statutory and voluntary, to deliver change to reshape mental health services in Barnet, an initiative led by Barnet CCG.

Purpose of the Job

The main purpose of the Peer Researcher role is to work closely with our partners to identify opportunities to shape nationally identified best practice to local need.

Reports to: Inclusion Barnet CEO

Main relationships:

 Work with our funders at the CCG and our partner organisations to ensure successful delivery of the research project.  Work closely with statutory organisations including London Borough of Barnet and the Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust.  Liaise across the organisation with fellow staff and volunteers.  Build co-operative relationships with other organisations in the area who work in mental health.

Responsibilities and tasks:

 Review national best practice around primary care best practice in mental health and wellbeing models, and research how this could be best shaped to meet local need.  With assistance from the team, create opportunities for public engagement and capture views on defined research questions.  Consult widely with other stakeholders including the Mental Health Trust  Work closely with Barnet CCG to ensure that all work closely reflects and ties in with the wider vision for the project.  Engage in action learning events as required.  Produce reports and briefing notes as required  Play an active part in shaping the research agenda through consultation and reflective research techniques.  Use personal experience to represent the user experience in the research

Equal Opportunities & Diversity

 Ensure the Inclusion Barnet Equal Opportunities policies are understood, implemented and promoted.  Ensure all aspects of inclusion and diversity are considered and embedded in all activities.

Other duties

 Undertake continuous professional development and training, constructively participating in meetings, supervision, performance appraisal, and other events designed to improve communication and assist with personal skills development.  Proactively seek opportunities for personal training and development.  Carry out additional tasks that may be required from time to time to achieve agreed service outcomes and personal appraisal targets, as agreed with the Inclusion Barnet CEO. Person Specification

Essential Desirable Experience Personal lived experience of mental health issues.  Experience in using Word, Excel, Outlook and Powerpoint to  organise and communicate effectively Experience of using secondary mental health services  Demonstrable experience of formal research, whether from a  user-led, academic or practitioner perspective Demonstrable ability to use lived experience to inform  research into innovation and improvement Experience of providing accessible services across a range  of cultures and faiths. Skills & Abilities (see competency profile) Delivering quality  Managing complexity  Building Relationships  Building Teams  Professional credibility  Resilience  Adapting to change  Confident decision making  Knowledge & Qualifications Understanding of independent living philosophy and the  social model of disability. Knowledge of best practice and theory around mental health  and wellbeing models Knowledge of services available to adults with mental health  issues in the London Boroughs of Barnet Other Requirements Willingness to undergo necessary training and development  Ability to travel across the Boroughs  Peer Researcher – Competency Profile

The following competency profile will be used in recruitment, assessment, selection, development and appraisal of the Peer Researcher.

Delivering Quality

 Demonstrates collaborative leadership in research design an delivery, supported by senior staff  Proactively identifies improvements that can be made  Pays attention to detail.  Clear on what is needed and gets things done.  Uses resources efficiently.  Feeds back proactively to resolve issues

Managing Complexity

 Effectively negotiates to address conflicting demands  Identifies obstacles and seeks to remove them  Recognizes the limits of their knowledge and seeks specialist advice  Anticipates change and develops responses  Resourceful and creative in developing practical solutions  Sees the bigger picture and maintains a broad view  Assesses and manages risk

People competencies

Building Relationships

 Builds listening and responsive relationships  Understands and values people with different skills and from different social and cultural groups  Communicates well  Persuades others to their point of view  Maintains confidentiality  Provides meaningful and constructive feedback

Building Teams

 Empowers others to achieve and find their own solutions  Celebrates success and gives credit to others  Engages others in joint problem solving  Shares their own skills and mentors others

Professional Credibility

 Networks with peers in other organisations locally, regionally and nationally  Develops constructive networks and alliances  Promotes the project professionally  Proactively stays up to date with developments as they apply to their specialism  Respected within and beyond Inclusion Barnet for their skills and knowledge  Seeks professional development

Self Management

Resilience

 Identifies sources of personal stress and acts to minimize them  Effectively balances work and personal life  Recovers quickly from setbacks

Adapting to Change

 Approaches new tasks with energy and enthusiasm  Open minded and supportive of new ways of doing things  Relates existing knowledge and skills to new problems  Encourages others to consider different ways to approach things  Conducts open discussions on possible changes  Creates an environment that values innovation  Willing to replan at short notice

Confident Decision Making

 Acts consistently and with integrity  Makes clear recommendations Summary of Terms and Conditions

 Job Title: Peer Researcher

Salary Scale: £26,000 pro rata - six month contract, extendable subject to funding

Probation Period: 3 months This may be extended at the discretion of the line manager.

Hours: 35 hours per week

Expenses: Staff may claim travel expenses, at the agreed rate, for journeys which are necessary in the course of their work. Claims for additional expenses will be reimbursed in accordance of our expense policy.

Annual Leave: pro rata of 26 days per annum, excluding bank holidays

Based at: Colindale, and working in locations across the London Boroughs of Barnet,

Other conditions: To act in accordance with Inclusion Barnet policies and standards, in particular our Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety and Confidentiality Policies.