Job Description

GENERAL

1. Ensure maintenance of a safe & efficient working environment in accordance with current Health & Safety legislation including the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, COSHH Regulations, Environmental Health & other Directives.
2. Perform any other reasonable duties as may be requested.
   This job description is an indicator of general areas of responsibility and will be amended in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation and in consultation with the post holder.

JOB PURPOSE

Work as a Peer Mentor Specialist to enhance the existing “Bridge the Gap” programme commissioned by Surrey County Council, providing trauma-informed outreach specifically for women and minority communities affected by Gambling Related Harm across Surrey.
The role will provide long-term, trauma informed Peer Mentoring to a minimum of fifteen (15) female clients at any one time for up to 18 hours per week across Surrey. Open referrals can be made to this Peer Mentor Service which shall be focussed on support for direct/ indirect Gambling Related Harms and other co-occurring issues. Peer Mentor Specialists will be part of the Surrey Lived and Living Experience Community and have access to psychological support.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To liaise and work with the Reducing Gambling Related Harms Project Lead and Specialist Outreach workers to provide ‘step down’ support to those with lower levels of gambling related harms, by developing and delivering a Peer Mentoring Network.
2. To represent Oakleaf, Bridge the Gap Gambling Related Harms Team at Alliance meetings participating in feedback of evaluation outcomes.
3. Using a trauma informed approach to actively engage with women and people from minority communities experiencing gambling related harms via self-referral or referral via specialist agencies for those who do not meet the threshold for intensive outreach support, or where individual support is concluding with the Specialist Outreach worker.
4. Working on a one to one basis: providing practical and emotional support to address gambling related harm and co-occurring issues, including mental wellbeing and social isolation.
5. To use your own knowledge, lived experience and skills to effectively provide peer support with a focus on improving overall wellbeing alongside providing the tools and skills for independence and distancing from Gambling related behaviours.
6. To coordinate and deliver two support groups each week, focusing on building connections, sharing lived experiences, and reducing social isolation. One group will be held online in the evenings to meet demand, and the other will be in-person within the community, with the frequency increasing based on need.
7. To collaborate with clients to create session themes and areas of discussion, ensuring the needs of those attending are addressed.
8. To actively encourage clients to become volunteer peer supporters across the network, thereby promoting self-development and increasing the confidence of those accessing.
9. To work closely with the Gambling Related Harms Project Lead to help raise awareness of the service, ensuring a joined up and impactful response is agreed.
10. To attend all practitioner and team meetings as required, sharing learnings and best practice.
11. To understand the landscape of available support to ensure effective signposting for gambling-related harms and multiple disadvantage, both within and outside the Bridge the Gap service, at the appropriate time.
12. To attend training as required which may include Trauma informed Approach Training, an understanding of Psychological Formulation Processes e.g. “My Story, Strengths and Hopes”, Gambling Harm Impact/ Wider Determinants of Health, Awareness raising of the ‘Bet You Can Help - Practical First Aid for Gambling Related Harms’, Front line implementation of relevant recommendations of Surrey’s First Joint Strategic Needs Assessment for multiple disadvantage, professional development provided by Gamble Aware, Gam Care and other relevant specialists professional providers.
13. To record client attendances, undertake outcomes-based questionnaires regularly to track wellbeing, isolation and confidence and complete Recovery Stars.
14. To adhere to and work within Oakleaf’s risk assessment/safeguarding and all policies relating to the role.
15. Engage with supervision and appraisals including a commitment to attend and participate in Bridge the Gap Clinical Psychological Supervision and Reflective Practice sessions when needed.
16. To ensure our service meets the needs of the most marginalised in our community, by having a good understanding of the gendered needs of women experiencing multiple disadvantage and the needs of ethnically minoritised individuals facing similar challenges.
17. To raise safeguarding concerns with your line Manager to prepare a plan of action.
18. All staff to adhere to incident management policy, taking responsibility for recording all incidents factually involving clients, environment and building.
19. Represent Oakleaf BTG/GRH Team in all aspects of your work.