Peer support worker jobs

Job Title: Recovery in Community Peer Support Worker
Accountable to: Head of Community
Reporting to: Recovery in Community Team Coordinator
Location: Hybrid including Inpatient psychiatric settings across Greater Manchester, community settings, home or office working (central Manchester), occasional travel outside of Greater Manchester
Salary: £14,945.40 pro rata (FTE £24,909)
Hours: 21 hours per week
Contract: Permanent

Role Context

Recovery in Community is a collaborative initiative delivered in partnership between Gaddum and Manchester Mind. The service supports people to leave inpatient mental health settings and return to their community with the support they need to recover and remain well.

As a team, we deliver psycho-social interventions, advocacy, housing and welfare rights advice, peer support to adults as well as tailored support to young people (those under the age of 25).All we do is underpinned by listening and ensuring people feel heard – because we know that when people are listened to, they recover. The team works with colleagues within the mental health, primary care, inpatient and community sectors.

Role Purpose

As a Peer Support Worker, you will have lived or living experience of receiving mental health care or treatment in hospital. Using your expertise gained through this experience, you will support peers in their mental health recovery who are ready to leave hospital or are already in the community. Receiving support from your colleagues, you’ll develop and manage your casework practice and hold a small case load. 

You will walk alongside people to set achievable goals to ensure they get the support that they need, ultimately feeling connected to their communities – the right services and support network.

This role will work with a small but intensive caseload (max 12 cases for a full-time peer support worker) to focus on: 

• Repatriate: when people are sent to an out of area placement (OAPs) advocate to get them back to Greater Manchester so they can recover in their community. 

• Discharge: Supporting people when they’re ready to be discharged from inpatient mental health services to get back to the community and recover. 

• Prevent re-admissions: Work with people, post-discharge, to ensure they continue to get the support they need to make informed choices, stay well and ultimately thrive.

Main Duties and Responsibilities 

• To provide bespoke support to people that are ready to be discharged from inpatient psychiatric care to return to the community, building (with support) packages of care so they have a positive and sustained recovery. 

• To work alongside people post-discharge, in their community setting (e.g. home or supported accommodation) to ensure they get what they need to stay well. 

• To effectively manage a small caseload (about 7 people), being flexible to people’s needs and short-term changes in schedule. 

• To work in a person-centred, trauma informed, empowering and culturally appropriate way that enables people to feel listened to and heard.

• To help people engage with services and make sustainable links with their communities. 

• To use and develop your knowledge of community care, policies, legislation and services to get people the support they need to recover and stay well. 

• Identify when cases need escalation or onward referral and keep your line manager aware of case developments. 

• Independently visit people in inpatient and community settings in Manchester and across Greater Manchester, adhering to lone working and risk management procedures. 

• Occasionally visit people out of the Greater Manchester area who need to return to their community in Manchester (all travel expenses will be paid and non-commute travel time will be part of your working day). 

• Build relationships with colleagues within services (e.g. inpatient staff, social care, CMHTs etc) to enable improved collaborative working 

• Take part in multi-disciplinary meetings, representing the views of people, and their aspirations on returning to community settings. 

• Support the ongoing service development, drawing on your role as an ‘Expert by Experience’ and using what you hear from the people you support to contribute to the development of the services by reviewing and contributing to improvements. 

All staff are expected to work within all Gaddum policies and procedures. This role is subject to a enhanced DBS check.

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.

About the Peer Support Transformation Project

The Peer Support Transformation Project is commissioned by South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust, and delivered in partnership with Sound Minds and Wandsworth Carers Centre.

The Trust review, allocate and coordinate patient referrals through Daily Integrated Allocation Meetings (DIAM). This is an internal operational and clinical triage process used by teams like the Integrated Recovery Hubs (IRH) and Single Point of Access (SPA) to signpost efficiently to care pathways to appropriate community services.

The aim of the Service is to support individuals through Peer Support for early intervention, help avoid crisis or deterioration, but also as a step down from more intensive clinical support to help reintegrate with the Community.

Given its framework of reference to the diversity of cultures and languages, Mushkil Aasaan is well-placed in the heart of the Community in being a Wellbeing Hub. This offers a spectrum of shared activities and opportunities that enhance the overall wellbeing and sense of belonging in navigating ‘Care for the Community by the Community’.

As such it is essential for this role to transcend Mushkil Aasaan’s ethos in enhancing the Peer Support Service in line with the wider aims of the Trust’s transformation programme in reducing health inequalities and reaching out to groups who experience barriers in accessing support. This Co-production aims to capitalise on the Community’s strengths in self-determination and people identifying their own goals, whilst creating an understanding of the dynamics and stigma that contribute to mental ill-health.

The Senior Peer Support Worker at Mushkil Aasaan will play a pivotal role in delivering tailored support to individuals facing emotional distress whilst focusing on their strengths and personal resources, aligning with their recovery goals and overall well-being. Our approach emphasises the use of own lived experiences with mental health challenges, whether personal or professional, to foster understanding and empathy.

The Senior Peer Support Worker will maintain a good oversight of the accountability to the Commissioning Trust with the processes and procedures already in place in collaboration with the Manager. The role would also co-ordinate a smooth-running delivery of the Service ensuring that the team of 2 Junior Peer Support Workers are well supervised and supported in their work with allocated clients. The role is responsible for the chairing of fortnightly client allocation meetings and immediately reporting any issues and safeguarding concerns.

Peer Support Project Co-ordination

· Line management of the Team, ensuring that referrals are responded to in a /timely manner, and that wait list databases are accurately maintained.

· To maintain positive and effective working relationships with colleagues and professionals at all times.

· Responsibility for chairing fortnightly Peer Support Team allocation meetings, ensuring a thoughtful and equitable approach to allocation.

· Work closely with Manager in ensuring that the team of two Peer Support Workers are well supported in their work with clients.  

· To offer reflective practice as part of supervision for the wellbeing and development of the Peer Support Workers whilst undertaking emotionally demanding work.

· Collaborating with the Manager in quarterly service reports by gathering and compiling data from the team.

· Report any service delivery issues to Management, working closely with them to design and implement improvements where necessary.

· Ensuring that any safeguarding concerns raised by any of the Peer Support team are promptly reported to Designated Safeguarding Lead.

· To appreciate the hectic atmosphere of a bustling Centre with multiple Services and Activities whilst maintaining the identity and privacy of a Peer Support Service.

Peer Support Sessions

· To support individuals experiencing emotional challenges drawing appropriately on lived experience to foster hope, mutuality and recovery-focused conversations.

· To provide a person-centred, strength-based approach that is responsive to and focusing on the individual whilst providing non-judgemental support, respecting diversity and lifestyle choices. 

· Supporting in identifying how to manage their daily lives and signposting to key resources to support their wellbeing.

· Provide help to navigate the health and wellbeing system and connect into community resources to reduce isolation and improve wellbeing. 

· To enable access to local services to promote community inclusion and connectedness, enabling sustainable recovery and support.

· To provide practical support to help people access the right services and support based on needs, preferences, and the options available.

· To actively signpost to Mushkil Aasaan’s Advocacy Service, Support Groups, and creative activities and events where appropriate.

· To maintain high levels of safeguarding awareness and to respond to risk and safeguarding issues as they arise whilst respecting the autonomy of the individual wherever possible. 

· To monitor the effectiveness of interventions offered through the routine use of outcome monitoring tools reviewed directly in person.

Administration and Data Processing

· Maintain accurate and high-quality client records using databases and electronic filing systems.

· Ensuring compliance by the whole Team in entering all relevant data to ensure timely monthly DataSet reporting and Quarterly Reporting on the required 23 standards.

· Report quarterly client data updates in a timely manner, supporting the Head of Operations in compiling quarterly reports to the Trust.

· Support clients to complete relevant surveys and feedback forms at specific points in their peer support programme.

· Respond to any queries from the Trust relating to clients on the caseload in a timely manner, maintaining the required level of detail, accuracy and professionalism.

· Undertake any other ad-hoc administration related to the project from time-to-time. For example, scanning documents or printing Peer Support Group resources.

General

· To attend appropriate internal and external training courses, supervision and staff development.

· To attend regular clinical and line management supervision and to attend professional meetings with the Trust as appropriate.

· To be sensitive to the complex boundary issues in user-led work, act appropriately and with high standards of confidentiality.

· To adhere to Mushkil Aasaan’s policies related to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Health and Safety, and Safeguarding.

· To understand and respects the rights of individuals including choice, self-determination and cultural and religious needs.

· To adhere to data collection guidelines, complying with Data Protection policy.

· Any other duties that may be required in connection with this role and are deemed necessary and in the interest of the Charity. 

Skills and Attitudes

• Very strong ability to actively engage with a wide range of Mental Health needs and an understanding of the issues people face in their lives.

• Ability to work consistently with high levels of empathy, warmth and unconditional positive regard.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with Service Users, their families, carers, community groups, partner agencies and stakeholders.

• Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk when working with individuals.

• An understanding of the principles of confidentiality and how these apply when handling personal information.

• A working understanding of the principles of equality, inclusion & diversity and a commitment to providing an inclusive, culturally sensitive service.

 Person Specification

  Lived experience of mental health difficulties and the ability to use lived experience safely, purposefully and within appropriate boundaries in a professional role.

 Good understanding of the mental health system.

 Can demonstrate an awareness of the needs and perspectives of people

experiencing mental health problems and of different cultures.

 Can demonstrate an awareness of issues around confidentiality and boundaries.

 Well organised, with good time management skills and attention to detail.

 Ability to learn and be supported through supervision.

 Excellent verbal communication skills and a high standard of written English.

 Strong Office IT skills including MS Word and Excel or equivalent.

 Able to relate to a wide range of people.

 To be proactive, use own initiative, and have a positive and can-do attitude.

 Collaborative approach to working with others, as part of a small, busy and

passionate team.

 Flexible attitude to working hours.

 An understanding of the values and behaviour expected within this role

 Caring attitude towards people living with long term mental ill health and an understanding or how this role supports the needs of people with mental health issues.

 Clear understanding of and commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and how they relate to mental health.

 Willingness to have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

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: 354
Responsible to: Peer Support Team Lead
Working hours: Full-Time, 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £25,233 per annum
Based: Herts Countywide travel required, depending on client need and waiting lists, with a focus on Waltham Cross and East Herts.

Another exciting role has become available within our Peer Support Service.

About the Peer Support Services

Our Peer Support Service started 14 years ago, Since then, we have seen our service grow and we now offer Peer Support across the whole of Hertfordshire. Peer Support is the key service most requested by people and we now offer this in all of our 7 Wellbeing Centres across Hertfordshire. HMN’s values of Hope, Courage, Togetherness and Responsive form the basis of all the work we do.

Hertfordshire Mind Network provide a range of training opportunities, including our Peer Support Academy. Working in co-production with clients, staff, volunteers and stakeholders, we were able to create our own Peer Support Charter Values and these values form the ethos we work within our peer support team and the 2 academy courses we run which are: The Foundations of Peer Support and Supporting Others in a Peer Way.

About the Role

The Peer Support service provide tailored, personalised support for someone’s individual needs. This includes using different tools and techniques to help an individual improve areas of their life they may be struggling with. This approach includes; Hope, Courage, Togetherness and Responsive. Peer Support is based on the recognition that there is no better person to support the path towards recovery, than someone who has walked a similar path as that person.

As a Peer Support Worker you will:

• Offer 1-1 peer support in Letchworth and within other HMN Wellbeing Centres across the County depending on client need and waiting lists
• You will help co-facilitate our online Peer Support Group
• Meet client need and work within this personalised approach
• Work with clients in the community, within their home, as well as in one of our Wellbeing Centres
• Support clients in a peer support way
• Play an integral role in instilling HMN’s values through our 1-1 and group support
• Play a key part in the development and delivery of our groups
• Always ensure the delivery of quality services

The successful candidate will have need a personal understanding (lived experience) of mental health needs, or cared for someone who did, a great understanding and proven skills of delivering mental health services, proven skills around working with adults with mental health needs and significant proven knowledge of models and services to meet the needs of adults with mental health needs.

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 Wednesday 16 September 2026.
Interviews will be held on Tuesday 22 September 2026 at our Watford Wellbeing Centre.  Applicants will be notified of an interview time if shortlisted.
Please note: Due to high numbers of expected applicants, we may close this advert early.
N.B. Please quote reference number 354 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.

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.

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.