Peer Support Worker - Lived Experience

Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; High Wycombe; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

A healthcare service provider in High Wycombe is seeking a Peer Support Worker to join their team. The role involves supporting individuals with personal lived experience of the Criminal Justice System on their recovery journey. Key responsibilities include promoting recovery-focused approaches and providing practical and emotional support to service users. This part-time position requires a commitment of two days a week and independent travel across the area. Training will be provided, making this an excellent opportunity for motivated individuals.

Benefits

Ongoing training and support

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Must have personal lived experience of the Criminal Justice System or prison custody.
• Ability to provide support based on lived experience.
• Willingness to undertake role-specific training.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside service users on their recovery journey.
• Provide practical and emotional support.
• Help individuals navigate services.
• Promote recovery-focused approaches.
• Establish supportive relationships with service users.

Skills

Lived experience of the Criminal Justice System

Willingness to support others

Ability to build trust and rapport

Job description

Job Overview

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 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 withing 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.
• Providing 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.

Working for our organisation

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.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

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

Please note - we are looking for people with personal lived experience of the CJS or Prison Custody, not those who have only worked with people in these settings.

Please demonstrate clearly in your supporting statement how you meet the requirements of Personal Lived Experience within the CJS or Prison Custody.

Person specification

Experience

Essential criteria

• Lived experience of the Criminal Justice System.
• Willingness to use own experiences to support others.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of supporting people in the community.

Other

Essential criteria

• Willingness to undertake training suitable for the role