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Job overview
We are looking for an innovative and motivated Peer Support Worker to work with The Co-existing Substance Use and Mental Health Pathway across which covers Nottingham City and County. We have posts available in Bassetlaw, Mansfield, and the City. The successful applicants will have lived experience of mental health/substance use services and will be offered support in developing self/role via the Trust’s Peer Support Development Unit.
Peer support workers use their experiences to offer empathy and understanding to others, inspiring hope and belief that recovery is possible. In this role, the peer worker will offer peer support alongside practical assistance in order to help people feel in control of their lives and their own unique recovery process. Within a relationship of mutuality and information sharing, they will promote choice, self-determination and opportunities for the fulfilment of socially valued roles and connection to local communities.
The peer support worker will act as a recovery champion within the team and an ambassador of recovery for the Trust with external agencies and partner organisations. Peer workers will also be expected to invest in their own personal and professional development as well as supporting ongoing development of peer roles in the Trust.
Main duties of the job
The peer support worker will work as part of the multidisciplinary community team, offering support to people who are being supported by The Co-existing Substance Use and Mental Health Pathway.
To establish supportive relationships with people using mental health services and their loved ones, based on the core principles of peer support (mutual, reciprocal, strengths focused, safe, progressive, non-directive, recovery focused and inclusive).
To share personal experiences of recovery and coping to build connection and inform support.
To use active listening skills to help people develop self-understanding and identify their personal recovery goals.
To support others in achieving goals that they have identified for themselves.
To role model recovery, personal responsibility and self-awareness.
To raise awareness of recovery language among Trust staff by modelling positive, strengths based, non-discriminatory, non-jargon, non-medicalised language in all areas of work.
To embrace every opportunity to work with people in a recovery focused way, supporting the community team by undertaking duties that would be a reasonable expectation of the role.
To maintain strengths focused clinical records.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
As a core member of the Co-existing Substance Use and Mental Health Pathway, the peer support worker will work alongside people who are living in the community. The peer support worker will use active listening skills and the core principles of peer support to build supportive connections with both staff members and people are being supported by services as well as their carers and loved ones. The peer support worker will also contribute to daily team processes such as completing care plans, offering personal care and support with everyday living. It is expected that the peer support worker will undertake every interaction with a recovery focused, positive approach.
The peer support worker will be required to report to the team leader and access the peer group supervision provided within the Trust, as well as attending peer support development days and contributing to developments across the trust.
Please note that this post does not meet the pay level required for a Skilled worker visa.
Successful applicants with no prior NHS experience would normally be placed at the bottom of the band in line with Agenda for Change. This salary is below the minimum salary required for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker / Health & Care visa. In these circumstances the Trust would not, therefore, be able to sponsor for a Skilled Worker / Health & Care visa.
Applicants requiring a Skilled Worker Visa can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship against the relevant criteria here https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is £26.40 (standard) or £54.40 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first 2 months of employment.
You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of £16 per year applies.
Person specification
Skills
Essential
- Ability to use personal experiences to support others and demonstrate empathy
- Active listening skills
- Ability to reflect on experiences and working practice personally and in group settings
- Awareness of and ability to use written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills
- Willingness to use the Trust IT systems
- Able to build inclusive relationships with a wide range of people
- Able to create a safe environment and use techniques to reduce anxiety and understand conflict
- Ability to maintain a home/work life balance which feels healthy
- Ability to work within a team
- Ability to work in an enabling and creative way, where the person is the expert in their own recovery
- Willingness to support people in ways which they choose to meet their recovery goals
- Ability to carry out practical tasks
Training
Essential
- Completion of Peer Support Worker Training.
Desirable
- Willingness to undertake further training in line with the development of peer support
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of the core principles or values of peer support
- Personal understanding of how to manage stress and when to access support
Desirable
- Knowledge of community resources
Experience
Essential
- Lived experience of mental distress and recovery
- Experience of being in a supportive and enabling role
Desirable
- Experience of being supported by a community mental health team
- Experience of working in a healthcare setting
- Experience of working in a team
- Experience of training, teaching, coaching/mentoring others
- Experience of using a range of self-management or recovery tools and techniques
- Experience of working across different organisational boundaries
Qualifications
Desirable
- Level of educational attainment to NVQ 3/AS Level or equivalent
- Mental Health related qualification i.e. Certificate in Community Mental Health or equivalent
Physical requirements
Essential
- Has the ability to perform the full range of duties.
- Manual handling which may include manoeuvring of wheelchairs/trolleys/beds etc as needed.
- Break away and de-escalation techniques
Values and behaviours
Essential
- All colleagues are expected to demonstrate that they act in line with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Values: Trust Honesty Respect Compassion Teamwork
- All colleagues are expected to demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and how it applies to their role. The Trust’s expectations are highlighted within our EDI Policy, and associated EDI and Human Rights legislation.
Contractual requirements
Essential
- Able to travel to various locations to meet service needs.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Peer Support Worker with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in Nottingham, Midlands, England. It is listed as a Band 3 Healthcare support worker role. The advertised salary is £25,760 - £27,476 per annum (pro rata for part time). The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 04 Aug 2026.
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