Peer Connector @HOME

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council; Barnsley; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Barnsley Council Pathways to Work programme is seeking a dedicated Peer Connector to work with young people aged 16–24 facing mental health challenges or neurodivergence. The role focuses on delivering 1-2-1 and group sessions to help progression into education and employment, in collaboration with partner services across Barnsley.

You will work 37 hours per week, with some evenings and weekends, reporting to the Senior Project Worker and operating from Ground Floor, Wellington House.

Qualifications

• Support young people aged 16–24 with mild to moderate depression, anxiety or neurodivergence.
• Offer weekly 1-2-1 and group work sessions to help progression into education and training.
• Collaborate with partner organisations to increase skills and employability.
• Peer-led, personalised, and community-based approaches to wellbeing and confidence.

Responsibilities

• Deliver 37 hours per week with flexible evenings and weekends.
• Provide 1-2-1 and group sessions to support progression into work.
• Work with partner organisations to enhance employment readiness and services.
• Uphold safeguarding and inclusive practices in recruitment and delivery.

Job description

To join our small team supporting young people aged 16–24 with mild to moderate depression, anxiety or being neurodivergent who are struggling to enter the workplace (actively job-seeking for 4+ months).

This role will be expected to offer weekly 1-2-1 and group work sessions which enable the young people to progress onwards into further education and training opportunities which can support their progression into work.

In addition you will expected to work in partnership with other organisations and services in Barnsley to increase the skills and employability of young people to get ready for, get into and get on work.

This support will be delivered through peer-led, personalised, and community-based approaches that promote wellbeing, build confidence, and connect young people to local services, opportunities, and networks.

The ideal candidate will need to be a thoughtful and flexible practitioner who places young people and their welfare at the heart of their practice and has a compassionate, authentic approach. They will have a demonstrable commitment to equality and social justice and be a positive team player willing to share learning and good practice.

Peer Connector – Barnsley Council Pathways to Work programme

Reports to

Keely Hardy, Senior Project Worker

Contract type

fixed term for 1 year from employment start date provided by BMBC

Location

Ground Floor, Wellington House, Market Street, Barnsley, S70 1WA (Temporary base, permanent location YMCA, Barnsley)

Hours

37 hours per week (flexible working, including some evenings/weekends)

Practical Requirements

Ability to work flexibly around needs of the service and young people.

Closing Date

9am, Monday 21st September 2026

Interviews

Friday 2nd October 2026 at HOME, Wellington House, Market Street, Barnsley S70 1WA

Chilypep are an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to diversity and inclusion and ensuring equality of opportunity in our recruitment processes for staff and volunteers. Our mission is to welcome everyone and create inclusive teams. We celebrate differences and encourage everyone to join us and be themselves at work. Our policy is to recruit a diverse workforce and follow the guidelines of the Equality Act. We are an employer that values lived experience at all levels of our organisation.
Our priority is to safeguard and protect the Children and Young People we work with, and we operate within strict Safe Recruitment Practices, including a DBS check, social media check, and 2 references covering a period on no less than 3 years for all staff and volunteers.

All candidates must have existing permission to work in the UK.

Job Type: Please see advert for employment type