Peer Support Worker

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust; Aylesbury; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization is looking for a Senior Peer Support Worker to provide empathetic support to children and families facing mental health crises. The role involves close collaboration with the care team and intensive support in a community setting. Candidates with lived experience of mental health challenges who can provide guidance during crises are encouraged to apply. The position offers excellent progression opportunities and various benefits, including generous annual leave and a competitive pension scheme.

Benefits

Excellent career progression opportunities

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays

National Health Service discount

Competitive pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Lived experience of mental health challenges.
• Ability to provide empathetic support.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Support children, young people, and their families during mental health crises.
• Provide intensive support to reduce the likelihood of inpatient hospital admission.
• Help families access school provision and community resources.

Job description

Role Overview

Senior Peer Support Worker for Oxford Health Buckinghamshire CAMHS Intensive Home Treatment Team (IHTT). The role enables individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges to provide empathetic support to service users and families. Using your own experience, you will assist during crises, guide families, and collaborate with the core care team to plan comprehensive, tailored support.

Job Responsibilities

You will support children, young people and their families during interventions that can range from short to medium term. Working alongside the team, you will provide intensive support during mental health crises, help reduce the likelihood of inpatient hospital admission, and stabilise mental health in the community setting. Support is primarily delivered in the home environment and may include helping families access school provision and community resources. The IHTT may engage families in a higher‑level, more extensive plan of support, including multiple visits across a week or daily as required.

Working Hours and Locations

Roles are based primarily at Sue Nicholls Centre, Aylesbury, with an additional expectation to work from Saffron House, High Wycombe. Travel independently between sites within the Trust is essential.

• Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (including bank holidays)

Eligibility Criteria

• Under the age of 18
• Based in the Buckinghamshire area or registered with a Buckinghamshire GP
• In an acute mental health crisis that can be managed in the community (with increased support)
• Having acute psychiatric or psychological symptoms and/or emotional distress that prevent them from carrying out their daily activities
• At immediate and significant risk of inpatient admission

Application Guidance

To demonstrate suitability, provide a supporting statement on the application form referencing the person specification and guidance notes. Essential and desirable criteria will be used for shortlisting. Applicants are reminded to submit an honest representation of experience and avoid submissions generated solely through AI tools that do not reflect true knowledge, skills or values.

Benefits

• Excellent career progression opportunities
• Access to tailored individual and Trust‑wide learning and development
• 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days with continuous service
• National Health Service discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
• Competitive pension scheme
• Lease car scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Staff accommodation (waiting lists may apply)
• Staff networking and support groups hosted by the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Equal Opportunity and Diversity

We welcome applications from all sections of the community. The Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer with numerous internal networking groups to support employees and, where possible, will make reasonable adjustments to enable you to fulfil the role. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and share a culture of inclusivity, respect and excellence.