Lived Experience Practitioner inSheffield inSheffield PUBLISHED
MON 9 DEC 2024
Opportunity to make a meaningful impact by sharing personal lived experiences to improve mental health services.
Collaboration with diverse stakeholders, enhancing professional relationships within the community and across various organizations.
Role flexibility that allows for engagement with different groups and adapting to the unique needs of the communities served.
Possibility for personal growth through ongoing training and consultation, enhancing skills in areas like communication and leadership.
Involvement in co-production initiatives that empower service users and promote patient-centered care.
Contribution to the development and evaluation of mental health programs that address complex social and emotional challenges.
The Lived Experience Practitioner role at Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust involves working collaboratively across various organisations, including local health services and community groups, to enhance mental health support in Sheffield. This position is aimed at individuals with a lived experience of serious mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, who have served as Peer Workers or Experts by Experience. The practitioner will leverage their personal insights to co-develop and deliver training, engage with service users, and foster a hopeful perspective on recovery possibilities.
Additionally, the role includes acting as a liaison between the new Gleadless & Heeley Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre and the wider community, supporting co-produced care pathways, and ensuring effective communication among stakeholders. Responsibilities also encompass providing consultation to staff, managing engagement activities, contributing to the evaluation of mental health pilot projects, and participating in governance strategies to ensure that service user voices are integral to decision-making processes. The position is open to individuals from diverse communities, particularly those who have received care within the Sheffield area.
Additionally, the role includes acting as a liaison between the new Gleadless & Heeley Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre and the wider community, supporting co-produced care pathways, and ensuring effective communication among stakeholders. Responsibilities also encompass providing consultation to staff, managing engagement activities, contributing to the evaluation of mental health pilot projects, and participating in governance strategies to ensure that service user voices are integral to decision-making processes. The position is open to individuals from diverse communities, particularly those who have received care within the Sheffield area.
Sheffield is one of six sites in England who have been selected to pilot 24/7 mental health centres drawing together existing services for serious mental illness and increasing the access offer, collaboration with local communities and strong links with local stakeholders.
This role is a partnership role which involves working across Sheffield Health & Social Care NHS Foundation Trust, Heeley Trust, Heeley Plus Primary Care Network and Sheffield City Council.
This role has been developed specifically for people who a lived experience of serious mental illness (eg bipolar, personality disorder, schizophrenia, psychosis and associated complex mental health conditions) who have worked for a substantial period as Peer Workers/Experts by Experience/Lived Experience Practitioners. Through sharing wisdom and insights from their own experiences, paired with the ability to engage with other people's lived experiences, the Lived Experience Practitioner will co-develop and deliver training, consult wider team colleagues, undertake engagement/communication activities and inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible.
We welcome applications from individuals from diverse communities and specifically who have received care in Sheffield.
To support the development of the Gleadless & Heeley Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre, acting as a key liaison and outreach professional between the centre, teams working at the centre and wider communities, including people with lived experience who live in the Gleadless and Heeley area of Sheffield.
About us
- Work with workstream leads, colleagues, partner organisations, service users, their carers and families to ensure co-production in terms of scope, planning, design and the delivery workstreams / projects within the programme
- Support the delivery of coproduced care pathways through the workstream projects to a high standard and in a cost effective manner.
- Act as a point of escalation for the workstream leads within the programme in relation to coproduction and providing and promoting resolution.
- To provide consultation and training to staff in understanding and working with people with complex social, emotional and interpersonal difficulties. This may include other training, where agreed appropriate.
- Manage the delivery of benefits and track realisation of the coproduced interventions.
- Provide leadership and participation in relevant internal and external working groups and giving advice and sharing expertise/ support on matters relate to coproduction with those who have lived experience.
- Forge close working relationships across the 24/7 pilot partners and beyond to facilitate effective coproduced outcomes
- Communicate highly complex, sensitive, and contentious information to wide range of audiences, with appreciation if the challenges and inequalities faced by people using our services.
- Work flexibly to support the effective engagement and relationships that deliver change using the coproduced approach
- Work with others to Support the development and delivery of communications plans to support engagement
- Where required, take responsibility for the coordination of Experts by experience and volunteers within the 24/7 mental health pilot workstreams.
- Co-produce with the workstream and Transformation leads reports that summarise issues, appraise outcomes and provide updates on progress against the programme implementation plan
- Co create with the leadership group the collation of qualitative and quantitative information and make appropriate analysis based on the lived experience expertise.
- To be able to analyse, interpret and compare a wide range of information to identify themes and questions. To be able to discuss this information and patterns with service users, carers, staff and stakeholders.
- Contribute to the development of key performance indicators for the successful assessment of individual and work stream success; and
- Support the local evaluation of the Heeley 24/7 mental health pilot working in conjunction with external evaluators.
- To provide liaison to wider mental health, local authority, primary care and VCSE teams working within the hub to consult on personalised care, support and treatment in addition to reviewing/recommending lived experience engagement.
- To be involved in co-developing and co-delivering engagement events across all stakeholders, patients/public within Heeley.
- Contribute the lived experience view to short, medium and long term business plans, achieving quality outcomes; and
- Contribute the lived experience view to the development of performance and governance strategies and the development and implementation of improvement programmes.
- Contribute the lived experience view to the review and development of existing information management systems;
- To work with services to enable the use of a range of a flexible approach to collection of patient experience including face to face forums, surveys and individual stories and the utilisation of information technology to maximise their effectiveness in relation to service user experience data gathering and reporting.
- Take a lead role in the development and dissemination of internal and external engagement and communications strategies/messages ensuring the service user voice remains at the heart of all messages, and
- Contribute the lived experience view, where required, to the development of policies and procedures.
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More about the NHS
The National Health Service (NHS) is a cornerstone of healthcare in the United Kingdom, established in 1948 with the simple yet profound principle of providing healthcare to all citizens, free at the point of use. This revolutionary system aimed to ensure that access to medical services would not depend on an individual’s financial situation, a concept that has since become fundamental to British societal values. Learn more...
More about MENTAL HEALTH
Mental health has emerged as a critical issue in the United Kingdom, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis highlighted the fragility of mental well-being across different demographics, from children and adolescents to adults and the elderly. It has sparked a wider conversation about the importance of mental health care, accessibility, and the stigmas often associated with mental illnesses. Learn more...
Useful skills for a Lived Experience Practitioner:
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To work as a Lived Experience Practitioner in the UK, you typically need a combination of personal experience, interpersonal skills, and professional knowledge in contexts such as mental health, addiction, or social services. Here’s a breakdown of essential skills and qualifications:
Key Skills
1. Personal Experience and Insight:
- A lived experience of mental health challenges, addiction, or similar issues is crucial. This should ideally include a positive recovery journey.
2. Communication Skills:
- Strong verbal and written communication is essential. Ability to convey personal stories, provide information, and engage in active listening.
3. Empathy and Compassion:
- Understanding and relating to others' experiences and struggles is vital for building rapport and trust.
4. Facilitation Skills:
- Ability to lead discussions, workshops, or support groups effectively while encouraging participation.
5. Advocacy Skills:
- Ability to advocate for the rights and needs of individuals and communities based on lived experiences.
6. Understanding of Recovery Principles:
- Knowledge of recovery-oriented practices and trauma-informed care that empowers individuals in their recovery journey.
7. Conflict Resolution:
- Skills in managing and resolving conflicts that may arise in group settings or one-on-one interactions.
8. Organizational Skills:
- Ability to plan, organize, and manage time effectively, especially if involved in community outreach or program development.
9. Cultural Competence:
- An understanding of cultural differences and the ability to provide inclusive support to diverse populations.
10. Teamwork and Collaboration:
- Ability to work effectively with teams, including professionals from various fields and agencies.
Qualifications and Training
- Relevant Qualifications:
- While formal qualifications may not always be required, having relevant training in mental health, social work, or similar fields can be advantageous. This may include diplomas, certificates, or degrees.
- Specialized Training:
- Training in specific areas, such as mental health first aid, trauma-informed care, or peer support models, can enhance your qualifications.
- Continued Professional Development (CPD):
- Engaging in ongoing education and training opportunities to stay current with practices and policies relevant to your work.
Experience
- Volunteering or Work Experience:
- Prior experience in peer support, advocacy roles, or related environments can be beneficial. Many employers value practical experience in addition to personal stories of resilience.
Personal Attributes
- Professionalism:
- Maintaining boundaries, confidentiality, and a professional demeanor even when sharing personal experiences.
- Resilience:
- The ability to cope with challenging emotions and situations while remaining focused on supporting others.
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