Peer Support Worker - Younger Adults (18-25)

NHS; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 28,000; Part time

Job summary

A mental health support organization is seeking a Peer Support Worker to support young adults aged 18-25. The role involves delivering one-on-one peer support and advocating for the voices of those you support. Candidates should have personal experience of mental health challenges and strong communication skills. The position offers a salary of £27,661 per year pro rata for part-time, with full-time hours of 36.5.

Benefits

Supportive working environment

Opportunities for personal development

Qualifications

• Personal experience of mental health challenges and using services between ages 18-25 is necessary.
• Understanding of the voluntary sector and its role in mental health support.

Responsibilities

• Deliver one-to-one peer support to young adults accessing the service.
• Hold and manage a caseload efficiently and independently.
• Contribute to the development and evaluation of this pilot project.

Skills

Ability to build trust and rapport with young adults

Excellent communication skills

Reflective practice commitment

Time management

Education

NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Teesside Mind is excited to introduce a new Peer Support Worker role focused on supporting younger adults aged 1825. This role is part of a wider partnership with Darlington Mind and the Cornforth Partnership, who are recruiting to similar roles.

We define peer support as a relationship where people with shared experiences connect to build safe, trusting, and non-judgemental relationships through which they learn and grow together. Peer Support Workers use their own lived experience of mental health problems and accessing services to support others on their recovery journey.

This role aims to provide holistic, recovery-focused support that reduces the need for future secondary NHS mental health services or hospital admissions. Youll be part of a trauma-informed, person-centred team working across organisational boundaries to meet the wide-ranging needs of young adults.

To apply for this role you must be able to answer Yes to each of these statements as this experience is essential.

Have you had personal experience of mental health challenges of using services between the ages of 18 25 years?

Have you had experience of working with young adults with complex social needs or distress?

Main duties of the job

What Youll Do:

• Support young adults referred by TEWV NHS community services or recently discharged from Roseberry Park Hospital.
• Build trusting, compassionate relationships through shared lived experience.
• Create safe, non-judgemental spaces where people feel heard and valued.
• Promote hope, empowerment, and recovery through peer support.
• Work alongside with each person to help plan and move forward in their own recovery journey.
• Advocate for the voices of those you support within the wider mental health system.
• Attend peer support training alongside new colleagues from partner organisations.
• Work collaboratively with peer workers across Teesside Mind, Darlington Mind, Cornforth Partnership, and TEWV.

About us

Were proud to have directly helped 27,000 local people this last year, more than weve ever supported. Weve been working in local communities to improve mental health and wellbeing for 30 years and during that time our support has evolved, enabling us to help people in new and impactful ways.

We believe everyone has the right to enjoy good mental health and our team of trusted professionals provide expert support to help people lead full and happy lives. Whats more, we campaign locally to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding of what good mental health looks like.

Ours is a vibrant organisation to work for and our staff are our most important asset. We know just how important the benefits of a mentally healthy workplace are. So, it's only natural that our people and our culture are at the heart of all we do. Staff wellbeing is a high priority for us and we take great care and pride in making sure that everyone who works with us feels valued and supported. We're dedicated, friendly and open, working together to improve the lives of local people experiencing mental health problems.

Job responsibilities

• Deliver one-to-one peer support to young adults accessing the service.
• Hold and manage a caseload efficiently and independently.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date records using online systems.
• Manage your own diary using Microsoft Outlook.
• Contribute to the development and evaluation of this pilot project.
• Work as part of a wider recovery-focused system to promote lived experience involvement.

Person Specification

• Ability to build trust and rapport with young adults aged 18 to 25 in person and by phone
• Excellent communication and active listening skills
• Ability to share elements of your own recovery journey in ways which is appropriate to the role and to a peer relationship
• Ability to work with people using a service to set SMART goals, plan next steps, and maintain motivation
• Reflective practice and commitment to continuous personal development
• Awareness of your own wellbeing needs and how to maintain them
• Confident using IT systems for admin and data management
• Time management and self-organisation skills

Experience & Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification OR the ability to work with information at this level through equivalent experience
• Understanding of mental health problems and services
• Understanding of the voluntary sector and its role in mental health support
• Understanding of CHIME model of recovery, person-centred and trauma-informed practice
• Understanding of Safeguarding and safety planning
• Understanding of local services in the Teesside area

Other Personal Qualities

• Passionate about empowering others to thrive and recover
• Inspiring, hopeful, and motivating presence
• Caring, compassionate, and person-centred approach
• Able to practice self-care and maintain personal wellbeing
• Commitment to Teesside Minds values and objectives
• Willing and able to travel across the local area as required

Knowledge

• Significant experience using own lived experience to support others (paid or voluntary)
• Experience working with young adults with complex social needs or in distress
• Personal experience of mental health challenges and using services between ages 18-25
• Experience working as part of a team and in multi-agency settings
• Experience working in community settings
• Experience working in hospital settings or with TEWV NHS

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.

£27,661 a yearpro rata for part-time, full time hours 36.5