Peer Support Worker

There are many benefits to becoming a Peer Support Worker, including access to a wide range of training and development opportunities, 28 days’ pro rata annual leave, and wellbeing support such as our Employee Voice group, Wellbeing Wednesdays, and access to in-app support and benefits. You will receive regular check-ins with your line manager to ensure you feel supported as you develop within the role.

We welcome applications from people with lived experience of some of the issues our clients face, including homelessness, mental health challenges, substance use, or involvement with the criminal justice system.

SIFA Fireside’s Support Centre, based in Digbeth, delivers a range of services to people experiencing homelessness or who are vulnerably housed. The Peer Support Worker Service (PSWS) is a team of individuals who work with rough sleepers across the city of Birmingham, aiming to facilitate connection, motivate and inspire, and provide a non-judgemental listening ear. The service supports individuals facing Multiple Exclusion Homelessness (MEH), empowering them to make informed choices about their lives.

The Peer Support Worker role includes street outreach across Birmingham, building trust and rapport with the rough sleeping community. Many individuals have had negative experiences with services, leading to a lack of trust and reluctance to engage. Some may also have limited experience of managing accommodation or navigating support services. The role therefore centres on developing supportive, persistent, and compassionate relationships.

Using a trauma-informed approach, the Peer Support Worker Service provides relational, collaborative, assertive, and personalised support to individuals facing complex and multiple disadvantages. At the heart of this work lies the relationship between the Peer Support Worker and the service user – characterised by non-judgemental support at the individual’s pace and by advocacy where needed.

Key Tasks

 1.     Support people through street outreach, building trust and rapport with rough sleepers in Birmingham.

2.     Build and maintain trust with individuals facing Multiple Exclusion Homelessness through social and community-based activities.

3.     Support individuals in their positive behavioural change journeys using trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches that build confidence and wellbeing.

4.     Work collaboratively with other frontline services across the city, engaging in day-to-day liaison to ensure a multi-disciplinary response.

5.     Assist in crisis intervention and provide support in challenging situations, connecting individuals with appropriate professional help when required.

6.     Participate in training and development, contributing to discussions on multiple disadvantage, trauma-informed practice, and homelessness.

7.     Prioritise safety for yourself, colleagues, and clients by completing thorough risk assessments and applying dynamic risk-assessment skills.

8.     Participate in effective safeguarding practice, including identifying and responding to adult safeguarding concerns and self-neglect.

9.     Recognise the emotional demands of the role and prioritise self-care to maintain personal wellbeing and effectiveness.

10.  Engage in supervision, reflective practice, and wider wellbeing support opportunities.

11.  Record and monitor client interactions and support sessions accurately to contribute to service impact reporting.

12.  Undertake any other duties as required and appropriate to the post.

Working conditions:

·        Working hours are between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm.

·        Travel expenses will be paid for all work-related journeys.

·        There may be occasions when flexible working outside of core hours is required to meet client needs.

·        The role requires participation in street outreach activities conducted on foot, sometimes in challenging weather or environmental conditions.