# Peer Specialist - The Retreat West > NHS job listing from Job Clerk for Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust. ## Canonical URLs - **HTML:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/peer-specialist-the-retreat-west/16c54d31-8ba2-4786-b179-d4a9a904923a - **Markdown:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/peer-specialist-the-retreat-west/16c54d31-8ba2-4786-b179-d4a9a904923a.md ## Summary - **Status:** Live - **Employer:** Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust - **Location:** St Ann's Hospital - **Workplace type:** onsite - **Profession:** Peer supporter - **Grade:** Band 3 - **Salary:** £25,760 - £27,476 p.a. / pro rata for part-time - **Contract type:** Permanent - **Employment type:** Full time, Part time, 37.5 hours per week (Set shift times 16:00-midnight, minimum 15 hours (2shifts per week)) - **Closing date:** 2026-09-20T22:59:00.000Z - **Posted:** 2026-09-04T15:43:22.648Z - **Source information URL:** https://www.healthjobsuk.com/job/UK/Dorset/Weymouth/Dorset_HealthCare_University_NHS_Foundation_Trust/Mental_Health_Crisis/Mental_Health_Crisis-v8254744 - **Application URL:** https://apps.trac.jobs/job-advert/8254744?ShowJobAdvert=&feedid=9002 - **Employer website:** https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk ## Job Content ### Job overview We are seeking compassionate, dedicated Peer Specialists ready to use their personal journey to inspire hope and guide others through self-defined mental health crisis. The Retreats – based in Weymouth and Bournemouth offer an open access crisis mental health service every evening; providing a welcoming, safe space for people to come and receive support, without referral or judgement. The partnership between lived and clinical experience is fundamental to the ethos and values of the Retreats, and you will work alongside Registered Practitioners in this role. As a vital member of our team, you will provide practical support and peer-led guidance to help visitors and their support networks regain control and hope while navigating challenging moments and moving forward in their recovery. By sharing your lived experience, you will foster trust, hope and promote self-determination. You’ll receive comprehensive induction and specialist training, including trauma-informed care and collaborative working practices, to ensure you can use your experience to create real, lasting impact. Full and part time hours are available (minimum 15 hours or 2 shifts per week). The service operates 365 days of the year, and whilst all reasonable flexible working requests will be considered, shift times are set at 16:00-midnight, in line with the opening hours of the service. You would not be expected to work across both Retreat sites and can choose between Bournemouth and Weymouth. ### Main duties of the job To utilise your own lived experience of mental health, by using it intentionally in therapeutic conversation with others. To support people presenting in mental health crisis, who are likely to be experiencing and displaying significant distress and vulnerability, providing compassionate and non-judgemental care. Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Please note visa sponsorship for this role is unfortunately not available. Please ensure you hold valid right to work in the UK and will not require sponsorship if successful. ### Detailed job description and main responsibilities For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post. We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidate’s individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role. All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application. As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net ### Applicant requirements This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service. ## Person Specification ### Knowledge and Skills **Essential** - Own lived experience of mental health, with willingness and ability to intentionally and appropriately share this in support of others. - Peer Specialist training programme completed or willingness to undertake. **Desirable** - Recovery Education Centre courses or equivalent attended in last 5 years. ### Information Technology **Essential** - Demonstrable experience of computer literacy and Office based applications. **Desirable** - Experience using an electronic patient records system. ### Additional requirements **Essential** - Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively. ### Job specific experience **Essential** - Experience supporting people experiencing distress **Desirable** - Previous working in a mental health, or care setting. ### Personal qualities/attributes **Essential** - Able to work effectively as part of a team - Demonstrate compassionate and non-judgemental response to people in distress /crisis ## Documents - [dbs information (pdf, 22.9kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?edoc=2340) - [staff benefits leaflet (pdf, 316.1kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?edoc=695) - [pay scales from 1 april 2025 (pdf, 44.6kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?edoc=1941) - [applications recruitment flowchart (pdf, 434.1kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?edoc=866) - [152-m295.26 - lived experience peer specialist, band 3 - jd&ps (pdf, 416.6kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?vdoc=10590809) ## Agent Notes - This Markdown page is generated from the same Job Clerk job record as the HTML job detail page. - Use the canonical HTML URL for user-facing references. - Use the application URL when the user wants to apply on the source NHS site.