Peer Support Worker

The Cellar Trust; Saltaire; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Part time

Job summary

The Cellar Trust is seeking a part-time Peer Support Worker to deliver one-to-one and group support for clients with complex trauma in the Bradford District. You will help stabilise and develop DBT skills, focusing on emotional regulation and coping strategies to enhance engagement with treatment and community activities.

Role requires lived experience of mental health challenges, empathetic, person-centred approach and ability to work across community settings.

Qualifications

• Qualifications to GCSE Grade 4 or above, or significant equivalent experience.
• Awareness or knowledge and/or lived experience of challenges facing people with mental health difficulties.
• Knowledge of the potential role of peer support in mental health services.
• Understanding of the impact of stigma and discrimination in relation to mental health.
• Experience of working with people with mental health difficulties and challenging behaviour.
• Experience of managing a client caseload and recording client notes.
• Experience of working in a peer support role or mentoring others.
• Experience of using IT systems to record client notes.
• Non-judgmental and supportive interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage a caseload and workload effectively.
• Competent in Word, Excel, Outlook.
• A firm belief that all people matter and deserve respect.
• An evidenced belief that everyone can change.
• A track record of delivering on commitments.
• A personal commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of people, ensuring regular contact in community or home settings.
• Support clients before therapy by developing foundational DBT skills.
• Assist clients to transition out of therapy in a person-centred way.
• Use lived experience of recovery to inspire and support others.
• Facilitate peer support and wellbeing groups.
• Liaise with professionals and organisations across the district.
• Ensure client notes are recorded accurately and timely.
• Work in line with safeguarding policies and escalate concerns when needed.

Skills

Lived experience

Peer support

Caseload management

Interpersonal skills

IT literacy

Education

GCSE Grade 4 or above

Tools

Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

LOCATION

Shipley / Community based across the Bradford District

GRADE / SALARY

D1 £27,294.18 FTE per annum (actual salary of £21,835.34 per annum for 30 hours per week)

HOURS

30 hours per week

ACCOUNTABLE TO

CBT Lead

Purpose of the Job

"To deliver peer support to clients with complex trauma and/or complex emotional needs who are referred to our HOPE service. Prior to commencing therapy, you will support clients to stabilise and develop foundational DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) skills, including emotional regulation and coping strategies, enabling them to engage more effectively and maximise the benefits of treatment. The role is emotionally demanding due to the nature of distress experienced by service users and the worker's own lived experience. You will offer one-to-one provision for up to 12 weeks, as well as assisting people to engage in peer support groups, well-being groups and community activities. You will also provide support as clients transition out of therapy, working in a person-centred way to help them integrate and maintain their new learning and skills, build resilience, and promote independence. Due to the nature of the work, it would be desirable if applicants can speak Urdu/Punjabi to enable them to understand instructions and communicate effectively with the individuals we support."

Main Duties

• Manage a caseload of people, ensuring all are given time and seen regularly in person in the community, home-based visits or over the telephone, where appropriate.
• Support clients prior to commencing therapy with Trust Therapies by helping them stabilise and develop foundational DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) skills, including emotional regulation and coping strategies, enabling them to engage more effectively and maximise the benefits of treatment.
• Provide support as clients transition out of therapy, working in one to one support for individuals in a person-centred way to help them integrate and maintain their new learning and skills, build resilience, confidence and promote independence to help people move forward.
• Use your own lived experience of recovery from mental health problems, as appropriate, to inspire and support others.
• Facilitate peer support and/or wellbeing groups.
• Liaise with professionals and organisations across the district including referrers and partners.
• Ensure that client notes are recorded in an accurate and timely manner and kept updated.
• Work in line with all relevant safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring concerns are escalated appropriately.

Values and Behaviours

• Create and maintain a culture of respect always challenging and rooting out discrimination and stigma.
• Demonstrate a consistent belief in people and tenacity in supporting people to improve their future.
• Be passionate about our work and inspire others to feel the same.
• Be committed to doing things well and always look for opportunities for improvement.
• Model excellent partnership and team working.

Person Specification

Listed below are the knowledge, experience skills and values you'll need to do this job, we will assess these through your application or through tests or interviews after shortlisting.

Knowledge

Method

• Qualifications to GCSE Grade 4 or above, or significant equivalent experience
• Awareness or knowledge and/or lived experience of the challenges facing people who have difficulties relating to their mental health.
• Knowledge of the potential role of peer support in mental health services
• Understanding of the impact of stigma and discrimination in relation to mental health.
• Experience of working with people with mental health difficulties and challenging behaviour.
• Experience of managing a client caseload and recording client notes
• Experience of working in a peer support role or of mentoring others
• Experience of using IT systems to record client notes
• Non-judgmental and supportive interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage a caseload and workload effectively
• Competent in Word, Excel, Outlook
• A firm belief that all people matter and deserve respect
• An evidenced belief that everyone can change
• A track record of delivering on your commitments
• A personal commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion

The closing date for this role is Sunday 13 September 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an assessment morning on Friday 25th September 2026