Support officer jobs in Milton keynes

About Bipolar UK

Bipolar UK is the only national charity dedicated to supporting people affected by bipolar — including individuals, carers, families and loved ones. Over one million people in the UK live with bipolar disorder, yet many experience symptoms for years before receiving an accurate diagnosis.

We are entering an exciting new phase following the launch of our co-produced three-year strategy (2026–2029). Over the coming years, we will reach more people than ever before, expand access to self-management support, and build understanding of bipolar across workplaces, services and communities.

At the heart of our work is the belief that people affected by bipolar are the experts in their own lives. We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and to ensuring our services are accessible, culturally responsive and shaped by lived experience.

 Purpose:  The Peer Support Officer role will work within Bipolar UK’s Peer Support Line team to support our community through telephone and email support across the UK.

The role involves using your skills and knowledge to support people affected by bipolar disorder with support requests and providing information and signposting to people via email and telephone. The successful applicant will also manage service reports in Salesforce, report back regularly to the management team, as well as developing links with other mental health services or appropriate agencies.

Though Bipolar UK does not offer Crisis Support, the successful applicant may have to direct members of our community experiencing a crisis to relevant services and will also be responsible for recognising and reporting Safeguarding incidents within the bounds of Bipolar UK’s Safeguarding Policies.

The position requires good personal interaction and the ability to empathise with service users while remaining calm and considered in sometimes difficult situations.  This is a varied and hands on role and we are looking for someone with good communication (verbal and written) along with good organisational skills. Bipolar UK will offer the successful applicant regular support and engagement with the team, as well as reflective practice sessions throughout their service with the charity.

The Peer Support Officer reports to the Services Manager who manages this service. This will be a home-based role with occasional travel, such as team days/meetings/training.

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to provide practical, non-clinical information and peer support to our community, including family and loved ones. Our Peer Support Line is often a first point of contact, offering a listening ear, helping to reduce isolation, and signposting people to relevant information, services, research and campaigns.

You will join a team of highly skilled colleagues who share the same passion to support our community in a safe and appropriate way.

Specific Responsibilities

• Act as an initial point of contact with the charity for all enquiries about our services
• Act as an initial point of contact for all people affected by bipolar disorder seeking support, information and signposting
• Direct enquiries for Bipolar UK’s additional services, including understanding Bipolar UK’s specific resources and training opportunities for workplaces and connections for research
• Build and maintain relationships with existing volunteers and with volunteers expressing interest in supporting Bipolar UK
• Ensure that all service provided by both the postholder complies operationally with Bipolar UK policies and procedures, including safeguarding and data protection postholder must handle personal/special category data confidentially and in line with policy/UK GDPR
• Contribute to the development and delivery of new formats of peer support in a spirit of co-production
• Ability to work flexibly and responsively, responding to urgent requirements
• To ensure that all support information and signposting options are kept up to date
• To complete all support records in a timely manner
• Reporting all Safeguarding concerns and crisis incidents in line with Bipolar UK’s relevant policies
• To work with community mental health teams and other interested stakeholders to promote the services of the charity
• To act as an advocate for Bipolar UK within your work
• Willing to travel within the UK as deemed appropriate by the organisation, reasonable adjustments are available.
• Other duties deemed appropriate by the Chief Executive to assist in achieving the aims and objectives of the charity

 Person Specification

The successful candidate will have:

• Understanding of lived experience and peer support
• Ability to work as part of a team and individually using own initiative
• An understanding and awareness of safeguarding
• Ability to work autonomously and at times remotely from line manager
• Experience of data collection and monitoring
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent organisational skills
• Be competent in the use of Microsoft 365 products including Outlook and other Microsoft Office programmes
• Experience of delivering peer support in paid employment or as a volunteer

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Bipolar UK is an equal opportunities organisation. We warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from people with lived experience of bipolar or other mental health conditions, people from under‑represented communities, and those whose voices are less often heard in mental health spaces.

All recruitment decisions are based solely on skills, experience and suitability for the role.

Data Protection

Any personal information you provide will be handled securely and used only for recruitment purposes, in line with UK data protection legislation.

Safeguarding

All employees are expected to work in line with Bipolar UK’s safeguarding policies, ensuring safe, respectful and empowering environments for everyone we work with.

The successful candidate will likely have:

• Experience of partnership working with statutory and third sector organisations
• Lived or professional experience supporting people affected by bipolar, or severe mental health conditions.

How to Apply

Bipolar UK operate a blind recruitment practice and advertise our roles via CharityJob.

Please submit your CV online to CharityJob with a covering letter (maximum two A4 pages). Your cover letter should clearly demonstrate how your experience meets the person specification and explains your motivation for working with Bipolar UK

Closing date is 9am on Monday 25 May 2026.