The Transforming Care in Autism (TCA) service was developed to meet the needs of autistic individuals at risk of admission to, or within, mainstream mental health services.

An exciting new opportunity has arisen for autistic (or carer of autistic person) peer support workers to be part of a sensory Quality Improvement (QI) project aimed to support autistic people as part of the Transforming Care in Autism (TCA) team. We are looking to recruit two enthusiastic, compassionate, positive thinking and self-motivated individuals with lived experience of autism, this includes carers. This may include some lived experience of mental health problems and recovery. The primary role is to provide caring and non-judgemental support to autistic individuals experiencing mental health challenges. The role will also involve providing training to staff and carers to impart knowledge and skills to support autistic service users.

The successful candidate will have completed an accredited Peer Worker training course or be willing to complete training shortly after starting their role. They will be a member of a multidisciplinary team, working alongside autism-specialists and mental health professionals.

Peer Support Workers will be fully supported in their role through regular 1 to 1 supervision within the team line management structure and have access to monthly peer mentoring and weekly online group supervision.

To share your own and other examples of lived experience of recovery or times when you have experience behaviours that have been challenging and how you overcome this challenge.

To work in a way that acknowledges the personal, social, cultural and spiritual strengths of the person.

To use a number of agreed recovery tools that are person-centred in a flexible way to support the service users.

To support the service users to understand the role of autism and mental health services and how they can support their treatment alongside other community resources.

To be able to signpost to community and/or online resources and access appropriate mainstream and autism resources.

To be aware of, teach others and challenge issues in relation to autism and stigma, low expectations and anti-discriminatory practice as appropriate.

With agreement of line manager, to promote the role of peer support both within SLAM and externally, through co-delivery of presentations, workshops, and information sharing. In addition, to participate in Trust-wide peer related projects and audits.

To work with sensory pilot project team within TCA in co-production (design), delivery (processes), evaluation (of outcomes) and dissemination (of findings) as part of this Quality Improvement (QI) project

To work with the sensory pilot project team within TCA to co-produce (design) and co-deliver teaching, training and workshops focused on autism and related topics for service users, carers/supporters and staff

To work within the spirit of co-production and co-delivery for all presentations and workshops

To support autistic service users and/or carers accessing the sensory pilot within the TCA team in relation to wellbeing, social inclusion and other aspects of recovery

To role-model the positive use and impact of lived experience of mental ill-health, recovery and self-management with service users and/or carer they are supporting

The post holder will be required to be self-reflective about their personal lived experience of autism and/or mental ill-health. This is an essential criteria of the role and successful applicants will be expected to use this experience within co-production and delivery of the sensory pilot aims and objectives. Peer support workers will need to be able to recognise the value and impact of their own lived experience. Effective use of personal experience of recovery and wellbeing is an essential role requirement to support the service users, carers/supporters and staff to understand the teaching materials and develop knowledge, attitudes and skills to enable wellbeing and self-management. Successful applicants will be offered regular team and individual supervision and training opportunities to support their own wellbeing and links to their work activities.

To work closely with sensory pilot project team within TCA, and practitioners from a variety of professions and roles within SLaM.

To ensure that any concerns regarding an individual's mental and physical health and wellbeing highlighted within interactions with service users are shares with the team and/or their line manager in order that a decision to notify the individual's care team is made

To identify the diverse needs of the service users, carers and staff and to adapt teaching and communication style in response to the audience's level of need and understanding.

To work flexibly including travelling to sites within the boroughs of Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark where relevant and appropriate. There is not an expectation to work out of hours.