Op COURAGE Peer Support Worker | Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Colchester (VT); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days holiday, rising to 33 days

Excellent pension up to 14.5%

Staff discounts

£8K relocation package

Season ticket loans

Job share welcomes

Job summary

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust invites applications for the Op COURAGE Peer Support Worker. The role leverages lived military experience to empower veterans and guide engagement with mental health services.

You will work within a multidisciplinary team, providing recovery-focused, person-centered support both remotely and on-site, travelling across the East of England as needed and maintaining strict confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Lived experience of armed forces and mental health recovery used to support veterans.
• Deliver recovery-focused, person-centered peer support under supervision.
• Engage with service users to identify goals and promote participation and independence.
• Maintain records and work within Peer Support Worker framework and policies.

Responsibilities

• Develop positive, trusting relationships with service users and support recovery journey.
• Provide recovery-focused peer support with defined caseload under supervision.
• Deliver interventions both remotely and face-to-face in line with care plans.
• Promote hope, resilience, self-management and independence for veterans.
• Advocate for Armed Forces needs and coordinate with health and community services.
• Collaborate with clinical colleagues and partner agencies for coordinated care.
• Escalate safeguarding or risk concerns per Trust policies.

Skills

Lived experience of military service

Recovery-focused peer support

Building trust with service users

Collaborating in multidisciplinary团队

Job description

Op COURAGE Peer Support Worker | Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role

The Peer Support Worker will use their lived experience of the British Armed Forces and mental health recovery to provide hope, encouragement and practical guidance to veterans accessing Op COURAGE.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the post holder will support service users to understand and engage with the service, identify personal goals, build confidence and increase independence in their recovery journey. The role involves recognising barriers to engagement, including hesitancy or concerns about accessing treatment, and developing trusting, supportive relationships that encourage participation and positive outcomes.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the post holder will support service users to understand and engage with the service, identify personal goals, build confidence and increase independence in their recovery journey. The role involves recognising barriers to engagement, including hesitancy or concerns about accessing treatment, and developing trusting, supportive relationships that encourage participation and positive outcomes.

The post holder will work alongside clinical colleagues whilst maintaining the distinct values and principles of peer support. They will provide a recovery-focused, person-centred approach, drawing on their lived experience appropriately and safely to empower others and promote hope, self-management and resilience.

The role requires a good understanding of Armed Forces culture and the unique challenges that veterans, reservists, service leavers and their families may experience during service life, transition and recovery.

Due to the geographical coverage of this service, the post holder will be required to complete a hybrid role. This includes travelling independently across the East of England to meet service users and support service delivery, whilst also remote working where appropriate.

*Previously applicants need not apply*

The Post holder will help to support Veterans under the care of Op COURAGE EoE.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the post holder will support service users to understand and engage with the service, identify personal goals, build confidence and increase independence in their recovery journey. The role involves recognising barriers to engagement, including hesitancy or concerns about accessing treatment, and developing trusting, supportive relationships that encourage participation and positive outcomes.

The post holder will work alongside clinical colleagues whilst maintaining the distinct values and principles of peer support. They will provide a recovery-focused, person-centred approach, drawing on their lived experience appropriately and safely to empower others and promote hope, self-management and resilience.

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

• Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
• Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
• If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
• Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
• Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
• £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
• Season ticket loans are interest‑free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.
• Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Work that wraps around your needs

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification fully to support with your application.

The post holder will;

• Use their lived experience appropriately to develop positive, trusting relationships with service users and support them throughout their recovery journey.
• Provide recovery-focused peer support, maintaining a defined caseload under supervision
• Deliver agreed interventions both remotely and face-to-face in line with care plans and service objectives.
• Promote hope, resilience, self-management and independence, supporting individuals to identify their strengths, achieve personal goals and build confidence in managing their wellbeing.
• Provide emotional, social and practical support, assisting service users to overcome barriers to recovery and access relevant health, social care, community and veteran‑specific services.
• Advocate for the needs of members of the Armed Forces community and promote understanding of the unique challenges associated with military service and transition to civilian life.
• Encourage engagement with treatment, support plans and recovery-focused activities, including supporting the delivery of peer support groups and workshops.
• Work collaboratively with clinical colleagues and partner agencies, contributing to multidisciplinary discussions and sharing relevant information to support coordinated care.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with statutory, voluntary and community organisations to enhance support available to service users.
• Recognise and appropriately escalat[e] concerns relating to risk, safeguarding, wellbeing or engagement to registered professionals in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.
• Maintain accurate, timely and confidential records in line with Trust policy, professional standards and information governance requirements.
• Work within the Trust's Peer Support Worker framework, values and policies, seeking supervision and support where appropriate.

This advert closes on Thursday 26 Nov 2026