Peer support worker jobs

Do you want to support people with mental health issues in a moment of crisis?

Are you calm, non-judgemental and able to work effectively with people experiencing distress?

If you can embody our values of Hope, Courage, Togetherness, and Responsiveness, and want to help others build resilience and manage their wellbeing, we’d love to hear from you.

Peer Support Worker
Reference: 355
Responsible to: Senior Centre Support Worker – Social Support
Working hours: Full-Time, 37.5 hours per week
Contract: 1 year fixed (subject to extension)
Salary: £25,233 per annum
Based: St Albans, Stevenage or Hatfield

About the Service

The Social Support service delivers flexible and person-centred support across our Wellbeing Centres in St Albans, Hatfield, and Stevenage. The service is designed to respond to the individual needs of clients, supporting people to improve their wellbeing, build confidence, reduce feelings of isolation, and access community services and resources.

About the Role

The role involves managing a one-to-one client caseload while contributing to the delivery of Social Support Groups. Through personalised support, the post holder will offer emotional support and empower individuals to focus on what matters most to them, working towards meaningful and achievable changes in in their lives.

As a Peer Support Worker you will:

• Offer 1-1 support in St Albans, Hatfield and Stevenage, and within other HMN Wellbeing Centres across the County depending on client need and waiting lists
• Deliver Social Support Groups within our Wellbeing Centres
• Work with clients to identify their individual needs and support them through a personalised, person-centred approach
• Support clients in a variety of settings, including within the community, their home, and our Wellbeing Centres
• Play an integral role in embedding HMN’s values through our 1-1 and group support
• Play a key part in the development and delivery of our groups
• Ensure the consistent delivery of a high quality, responsive service that promotes wellbeing and positive outcomes for clients

The successful candidate will have a great understanding and proven skills of delivering mental health services, proven skills around working with adults with mental health needs, an understanding of the relationship between mental health and social issues and how these issues may impact on physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and Significant proven knowledge of models and services to meet the needs of adults with mental health needs. They will also have experience of working in both group settings and 1:1 and creating and reviewing dynamic risk assessments and support plans.

We offer:

• Annual leave entitlement of 25 days per year pro rata, rising in increments to a max. of 28 days after 5 years employment (plus 8 days Bank Holidays)
• An additional day of leave each year for your birthday following completion of probation period.
• Ongoing training relevant to your role.
• An Employee Assistance Programme.
• Health cover (after 6 months employment) – compensation payment for Optical, Dental, Chiropody and Therapy Treatments.

Being able to drive and having access to your own vehicle (or equivalent) is essential for this role.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 4th September 2026.
Interviews will be held at our St Albans Wellbeing Centre on 24th and 25th September 2026.
Please note: Due to high numbers of expected applicants, we may close this advert early.
N.B. Please quote reference number 355 when completing your application for this role.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.

In addition, during the various stages of recruitment, specific measures can be taken to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities or special needs.

Hertfordshire Mind Network is committed to the Disability Confident and Mindful Employer charters. We actively recruit staff who have a lived experience of mental ill health. Our inclusive approach recognises the unique skills, knowledge, and perspectives that lived experience brings to our team.

No agencies please.

At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve independence. Right now, we are looking for a Peer Support Worker to play a pivotal role in our Crisis Alternative Service in Hounslow

Sounds great, what will I be doing?

We are seeking a dedicated worker to manage a caseload of clients needing early intervention or prevention support with their mental health. The role involves delivering group activities and programmes, co-producing support with service users, and empowering them to engage effectively with professionals and community services. You will help develop peer support networks, monitor wellbeing and safety, and ensure all safeguarding concerns are addressed. The post requires flexibility, teamwork, accurate record-keeping, and timely completion of referrals, assessments, and reviews. You will also support colleagues, contribute to the smooth running of the service, and take part in regular supervision and professional development.

What do I need to bring with me?

You'll need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires as well as match our values and mission. You don't have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you're willing to learn. We also value lived experience of the areas we support, so if you feel comfortable, please do mention this on your application.

Here's what the team will be looking for:

We are seeking someone with proven experience supporting individuals with mental health and/or dual diagnosis, with strong knowledge of mental health conditions, recovery approaches, and relevant legislation. The role requires excellent communication, partnership-building, and case management skills, alongside the ability to work independently, as part of a team, and to support new staff or volunteers. You should have experience in planning and delivering initiatives such as groups, events, or volunteer programmes, as well as strong organisational, IT, and administrative skills. A solid understanding of safeguarding, risk assessment, and local recovery services is essential, along with the confidence to represent the organisation externally and manage work effectively under pressure.

When will I be working?

You will be required to work between 2:00pm – 10:00pm. Hours are scheduled on a rolling rota, which includes weekends and bank holidays.

Interview Steps

We keep our interview process simple, so you know exactly what to expect.

• Shortlisting call: We have a team of dedicated recruitment specialists who will speak to you about your experience, motivations and values. They will also tell you about all the great work we do!
• Face to face interview: Now you will have face to face interview with the hiring manager. Our interviews are value and competency based.

Don't be alarmed if there are other stages in the process, it's all part of the plan for some of our roles.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.

We are a disability confident employer

Hestia is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the selection and interview process, and throughout your employment with us.

Safeguarding Statement

Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people who are potentially at risk, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.

Important Information for Candidates

If your application is successful, please be aware that you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks before a formal offer of employment can be confirmed.

We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.

Role: Dads’/Partners’ Peer Support Worker
Location: Birmingham wide / Hybrid working
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday (with some occasional evening and weekend work)
Salary: £25,363 – £26,419 per annum, subject to experience
Contract: Fixed-term for 12 months
Benefits: Flexible working, 36 days leave (including bank/public holidays), 5% matched pension contribution, ongoing support and supervision sessions

Reports to: Operations Director

Please note: To allow Acacia to provide specialist, relatable peer support, there is a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) for this role to be filled by a male, who is a dad or partner and has relevant lived experience of perinatal mental health and/or other mental health difficulties.

What will the role involve?

The Dads’/Partners’ Peer Support Worker will play an important role in helping us reach and support more fathers and partners across Birmingham. The role will be community-based and will involve regular travel across the city, working closely with Family Hubs, community organisations and other local partners.

A key part of the role will be establishing and facilitating dads’ stay-and-play groups across Birmingham’s Family Hub areas. These groups will provide opportunities for dads to spend quality time with their children, meet other fathers, build supportive relationships and access support in a welcoming and informal environment.

The postholder will also provide one-to-one peer support, drawing appropriately on their own lived experience to build trust, offer encouragement and help fathers and partners feel less alone. They will support individuals to access relevant mental health, wellbeing, family and community services where needed.

The role will also help to raise awareness of fathers’ and partners’ perinatal mental health through community events, online resources and social media. Working alongside Family Hubs and other local services, the postholder will help dads and partners develop coping strategies, strengthen their support networks and feel more confident about moving forward.

Travel expenses incurred as part of the role will be reimbursed in line with Acacia’s Expenses Policy.Due to the post requiring regular travel across Birmingham, the applicant should ideally have access to a car for work purposes.

Please note the role will be subject to criminal record, right to work and reference checks.

Interested in applying?

If you are interested in being considered for the role, please read the attached job pack and complete the attached application form, explaining how you meet the points in the person specification. Your application should outline your relevant skills and experience, along with the qualities you feel you would bring to the role.

Please return completed application forms by Sunday 06 September 2026.

If you have any specific questions or would like to talk through any aspect of the role, please contact the recruiting manager for further information.