Peer Support Worker - Lived Experience

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; High Wycombe; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in the UK is seeking a Peer Support Worker to join its Primary Care Mental Health Treatment Requirements Team. This role is designed for individuals with lived experience in the Criminal Justice System, supporting others on their recovery journey. You will provide practical and emotional assistance, promoting recovery-focused approaches and establishing supportive relationships. The position requires work across High Wycombe for two days a week, emphasizing the importance of connection and trust in supporting service users.

Benefits

Ongoing training and support

Qualifications

• Lived experience of the Criminal Justice System.
• Willingness to use experiences to support others.
• Experience of supporting people in the community.

Responsibilities

• Assist service users in their recovery journey providing practical and emotional support.
• Promote recovery-focused approaches ensuring individual experiences are central to care planning.
• Establish supportive relationships with service users.

Skills

Lived experience of the Criminal Justice System

Willingness to use own experiences to support others

Experience of supporting people in the community

Job description

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 08 February 2026.

Peer Support Worker – Lived Experience

We are offering a rare and exciting opportunity for a motivated individual to join our Primary Care Mental Health Treatment Requirements (MHTR) Team as a Peer Support Worker covering the High Wycombe area.

The MHTR Team aims to identify, screen, assess and provide psychological interventions and support to those sentenced to an MHTR. As a Peer Support Worker you will play a vital role in working alongside psychologists and clinicians to support engagement and build trust and rapport with individuals utilising your own Lived Experience.

Peer support is founded on the belief that no one is better placed to guide recovery than someone who has walked the same path. It is essential you have clear and demonstrable Lived Experience within the Criminal Justice System (CJS) or prison custody to help others accessing support from the service.

Peer support experience is desirable but not essential as training will be provided. Some lived experience in mental health or substance misuse would be an advantage but what matters most is your ability to use personal, Lived Experience in the criminal justice system to support others and your aspiration to do so within a supportive NHS team.

This role is for 2 days per week and will require independent travel across the patch is essential to fulfil this role.

Main duties of the job

As Peer Support Worker you will work alongside service users and assist them when aspiring and considering the initial steps on their recovery journey through providing practical and emotional support, helping individuals navigate services and maintain motivation.

As part of this role, you will be expected to:

• Promote recovery-focused approaches, ensuring that the person's voice and experience are central to care planning.
• Provide support and practical assistance to service users in order for them to engage with appropriate services, develop an identity outside of the criminal justice system, and regain control over their lives and their own unique recovery process.
• Establish a supportive and respectful relationship with service users.
• Help individuals identify strengths, interests, and their own achievable and meaningful recovery goals.
• Support the implementation of groups and networks that enable participation in activities.
• Actively engage with colleagues and other professionals to ensure the needs of the client group are met.

About us

Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Additional information

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Job responsibilities

For further information regarding this role please see attached the job description and person specification.

Person Specification

Experience

• Lived experience of the Criminal Justice System.
• Willingness to use own experiences to support others.
• Experience of supporting people in the community.

Other

• Willingness to undertake training suitable for the role.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Thames Valley Probation Service 23A Easton St