Job summary
This 6-month secondment is an exciting opportunity to join the established Devon Partnership NHS Trust Peer Support Work Leadership Team and help lead and shape the continued development of Peer Support across the organisation.
We are specifically seeking someone with relevant lived experience and substantial experience of working within a peer support role who can apply this knowledge strategically in a workforce leadership position. The successful candidate will be able to draw on both their personal and professional expertise to promote hope, champion the value of peer support, and support the experience, development and wellbeing of Peer Support Workers across our services.
Working alongside the other Band 6 Peer Support Lead and Trust Lead for Peer Support you will help provide shared direction for the Peer Support workforce, coordinate priorities, and support Peer Support Workers to develop their skills, confidence and practice. You will work collaboratively with service managers and teams across inpatient and community services to promote a clear understanding of the peer support role and support its effective integration within services.
In addition to supporting the Peer Support workforce and leading on specific peer support projects, the successful candidate will have opportunities to contribute to other areas of the Together Programme such as co-production and involvement of families and carers. *Interviews will be held on 1st September in the morning.*
Main duties of the job
We are seeking someone with lived experience who can use this insight within a leadership role. The right candidate will:
Provide day-to-day leadership and support to Peer Support Workers across inpatient and community services
Act as a key point of contact for PSWs and their managers, providing advice, guidance and support with role-related questions or challenges
Support PSWs to develop and maintain clear professional boundaries, understanding the scope of their role and how it works alongside other members of the MDT
Work with service managers and teams to support the effective integration of PSWs within services
Facilitate and support PSW recruitment and induction, ensuring new PSWs receive a consistent introduction to their role, expectations, policies and available support
Identify and respond to workforce development needs, helping to coordinate learning, training and development opportunities
Facilitate regular opportunities for peer networking, reflection, shared learning and connection across the PSW workforce
Professionally represent and host Peer Support workforce meetings and events, including public-facing, executive, and board level
Work with the Together Team to ensure the lived experience perspective remains central
About us
About Devon Partnership Trust
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.
We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Details
- Date posted: 13 August 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 6
- Salary: £39,959 a year
- Contract: Secondment
- Duration: 6 months
- Working pattern: Flexible working
- Reference number: C9369-26-0621
- Job locations: Wonford House, Dryden Road, Exeter, Devon, EX2 5AF, United Kingdom, Devon Partnership Nhs Trust, Langdon Hospital, Prentice House, DAWLISH, Devon, EX7 0NR, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities
The Trust has an embedded implementation programme for Peer Support Workers (PSWs) across the Devon Partnership Trust. The PSW team consists specifically of people who have lived experience of mental health challenges. Through sharing wisdom from their own experiences, peer support workers will inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible in others.
This post will be providing direct support and coordination to the Peer Support Worker Programme and Directorates on all Peer Support worker matters. The post holder will be responsible for providing project co-ordination, administration and support for key aspects of Trust work related to The Peer Support Work programme, in line with local and national priorities.
The post holder will be the first point of contact for a wide range of stakeholders, both internally and external to the organisation, including liaising with senior clinical and operational staff and the Trusts directors and senior managers.
The post holder will have the following key areas of responsibility:
The appointee will co-lead the development of the overall PSW programme plan and ensure its timely and effective delivery. They will also be responsible for creating demand for the initiative with service delivery managers. They will work with the PSW task group to define measures and collect data to allow the effectiveness of the approach to be monitored.
They will be responsible for defining the new policy, procedures and practices to ensure, effective safe and secure operations of the new roles.
They will work with partners within and beyond DPT to ensure the new cadre of PSWs are recruited fairly and in a way that maximises benefits to people using DPT services.
They will also oversee the development of a new structure for PSWs to ensure they are fully supported in their important and challenging roles.
They will keep abreast of developments of PSW across other Trusts and coordinate communication of the progress of PSW within DPT and across the user community
They will lead the PSW team providing guidance and support for the Senior PSWs as they manage their own teams.
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding and practical knowledge of recovery
- Understanding of the issues and concerns of mental health service users
- Knowledge and commitment to service users rights
- Understanding of the impact of stigma and discrimination
- Knowledge of Mental Health Legislation
- Knowledge of local policies in respect of safeguarding children and the protection of vulnerable adults
- Using Electronic Diary and mail system.
- A high level of knowledge and proficiency in using Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Visio
- Knowledge and understanding of basic change management / service improvement and redesign / project management tools and techniques
Desirable
- Establishing general administrative systems and processes
- Excellent Communication Skills : Written and verbal
- Knowledge of the NHS
Experience
Essential
- To have relevant lived experience
- To have experience of recovering a meaningful life
- To have experience of managing major change programs in large corporate environments
Desirable
- Considerable experience managing diverse teams
- Producing complex electronic documentation using Microsoft Word and Excel
- Analysing and interpreting data and information
- Working as a project co-ordinator or support officer
- Working in the NHS
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent experience plus further project management knowledge to post graduate diploma level or equivalent
- Qualifications at GCSE level or equivalent in Mathematics and English Language
- Previous experience in project support and co-ordination in a previous role/s
Desirable
- RSA Grade II Typing or equivalent
- ECDL qualification
- Project management qualification (such as PRINCE 2, MSP)
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Peer Support Worker Lead with Devon Partnership NHS Trust in Wonford House, Dryden Road, Exeter, Devon, EX2 5AF, United Kingdom; Devon Partnership Nhs Trust, United Kingdom. It is listed as a Band 6 Healthcare support worker role. The advertised salary is £39,959 a year. The contract type is Secondment. The application deadline is 26 Aug 2026.
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