Peer Supporter – York

Daisy Chain Project; York and North Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 17,000 - 24,000; Part time

Job summary

Daisy Chain Project in York is seeking Peer Supporters to work with neurodivergent adults across community locations and from home, delivering peer support groups and psychoeducational sessions with empathy and authenticity.

The role emphasizes safeguarding, confidentiality, and collaboration with the Peer Support Lead; it offers flexible hours (~4 hours per week) on a fixed-term contract until December 2027, at £15 per hour (including holiday pay).

Qualifications

• Lived experience of autism and/or ADHD, either personally or as a carer.
• Experience supporting neurodivergent individuals and families.
• Understanding of safeguarding vulnerable groups.

Responsibilities

• Support neurodivergent adults to access learning, information, and resources.
• Co-facilitate peer support groups and provide strengths-based support.
• Co-deliver psychoeducation sessions with the Peer Support Lead.

Skills

Lived experience of autism/ADHD

Supports neurodivergent individuals

Safeguarding awareness

Excellent communication

IT literacy

Job description

Location: Applicants will work in locations across York and from home.

Hours: Sessional - estimated around 4 hours per week

Salary: £15 per hour (including holiday pay)

Duration of Contract: Fixed term until end of December 2027 (with possible extension subject to additional funding)

JOB SUMMARY

Peer Supporters are individuals with their own lived experience of autism, ADHD, or both, who use this experience to support others in a safe, respectful, and empowering way. This role is rooted in shared understanding, mutual respect, and strengths-based support.

Peer Supporters will work in accessible community locations across York, helping to deliver peer support groups and co-deliver psychoeducational sessions alongside the Peer Support Lead. They will contribute to creating inclusive, welcoming spaces where neurodivergent people feel understood, validated, and supported.

The role involves supporting group discussions, sharing relevant lived experience where appropriate, encouraging peer connection, and helping participants explore strategies, information, and self-understanding related to autism and/or ADHD. Peer Supporters will also assist with session preparation, accessibility considerations, and ongoing development of the peer support offer.

Peer Supporters will work collaboratively with the Peer Support Lead and wider Daisy Chain team, maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality. This role values authenticity, empathy, and respect for neurodivergent identities, and offers an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the wellbeing and empowerment of the local neurodivergent community in York.

KEY TASKS

• Support neurodivergent adults to access further learning, information, and resources, including relevant online portals and community-based support.
• Co-facilitate Peer support groups, drawing on lived experience to provide relatable, strengths-based support.
• Co-deliver psychoeducation sessions alongside the Peer Support Lead, supporting participants to better understand autism and/or ADHD and explore helpful strategies.
• Empower peers to identify and access local services, community resources, and informal support networks in York.
• Maintain and develop up-to-date knowledge of autism, ADHD, and local service provision to enable appropriate signposting and information sharing.
• Support the delivery of accessible group sessions for neurodivergent people, helping to create inclusive, welcoming, and neuro-affirming environments.
• Attend and complete required training, including relevant organisational training to support the peer supporter role.
• Contribute to the protection of individuals from harm by adhering to Daisy Chain’s Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk policies at all times.
• Maintain confidentiality and ensure compliance with Daisy Chain’s GDPR and data protection policies.
• Ensure accurate and timely recording and reporting in line with Daisy Chain’s procedures.
• Undertake administrative tasks necessary for the effective delivery of peer support activities, including session preparation and follow‑up.

Additional responsibilities:

• Comply with the Charities’ Health and Safety policy in all employment practices.
• Maintain the integrity of the Daisy Chain brand in all internal and external communications.
• Work in ways, which promote equality of opportunity, participation and responsibility
• Maintain a proactive approach to your role and responsibilities along with a commitment to contribute and maintain the positive working ethos within the Charity.
• Undertake any training and development deemed necessary for the pursuance of the post.
• Ability to travel, providing services in the community where necessary.
• Any other duties from time to time, commensurate with the level of the post.

This job outline is intended to indicate the broad range of responsibilities and requirements of the post. It is neither exhaustive nor exclusive but, while some variation can be expected in particular duties, the outline is considered to provide a reasonable general description of the post.

This post is deemed to require an Enhanced DBS Check with the Disclosure and Barring Service due to the fact that there is access to children and vulnerable adults.

Person Specification

Experience:

• Lived experience of autism and/or ADHD (as a neurodivergent person or the parent/carer of a neurodivergent person) - E
• Experience working with and providing support to neurodivergent individuals and their families - D
• Experience of safeguarding vulnerable children, young people and/or adults – D

Skills:

• Ability to communicate effectively around highly sensitive issues with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and with varying needs – E
• A thorough understanding of the challenges faced by autistic and neurodivergent individuals – E
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills – E
• Excellent listening skills and the ability to be sympathetic and discreet – E
• IT literate and able to use all appropriate software packages – E

Other:

• Understanding of and commitment to the aims, ethos and philosophy of Daisy Chain – E
• A commitment to maintaining confidentiality and a clear DBS – E
  
• Ability and willingness to work flexibly – E
• Clean full driving license with own transport and willingness to travel to events and meetings – E
  
• Ability to work well independently and as part of a team – E