Job summary
- Main area
- Mental Health
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 354-AE-21158
- Employer
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Hill Rise
- Town
- Newhaven
- Salary
- £26,530 - £29,114 pa
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 14/12/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Peer Support Specialist
NHS AfC: Band 4
Come and join us
We’re looking for people who share our values of compassion, accountability and optimism to help us provide high quality care for the patients, carers, families and communities we serve. We specialise in NHS mental health and learning disability services and we’re proud to make a difference every day.
At SPFT we put people first. We’ll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. You’ll have opportunities to learn, grow and gain new experiences to support your career, with access to lifelong learning and professional development.
We actively promote flexible working and understand how important work life balance is, especially in healthcare. Whether it’s part time hours, hybrid working or flexible start and finish times, we’ll explore what works for you and the role.
We recognise that AI is becoming part of daily life and you may choose to use it to help prepare your application. We welcome innovation but ask that anything you submit reflects your own abilities, experience and voice. AI can support how you describe your skills and experience, but it should never replace your own words as we want to get to know you.
We’re shaping a workplace where ideas are encouraged, technology supports you and everyone has a voice in how we improve. If that sounds like the kind of organisation you want to be part of, we’d love to hear from you.
Job overview
An exciting opportunity is available to join the Lewes Neighbourhood Mental Health Team (NMHT) as a Peer Support Specialist. We are looking for a dynamic individual to join our multi disciplinary team based in Newhaven. Our Peer Support Specialist will have lived experience of mental health challenges. At Sussex Partnership we value the unique way in which peer workers can support our client group. The role is full time and will be client facing. There is opportunity to develop a rewarding career.
Main duties of the job
Our growing workforce of Peer Specialists work alongside service users to build their confidence and strengthen their community support networks so that they are empowered to live well despite their mental health challenges.
The successful candidate must be able to travel, preferably being able to drive using their own transport.
· Peer Support workers engage with mental health service users to show empathy, share experience, inspire hope and promote recovery with the aim of assisting individuals to gain and maintain independence in the community
· Peer Support workers are part of the Adult Mental Health Services multi-disciplinary Care Team. The role is to focus on the day to day holistic support needs of service users. Self-managed care is essential to this: the supported person is encouraged to assess their own needs and to develop and implement a self-management plan
· Peer support is delivered through promoting empowerment and choice and giving the opportunity for the exploration of meaning and purpose
Working for our organisation
In return for your skills and enthusiasm, we can offer you interesting and rewarding work in a team which prides itself in providing a high standard of care and support as well as providing excellent learning opportunities and regular supervision and support for its staff. There is a strong professional network for peer workers across the Trust with a bespoke peer training package, buddy and mentorship schemes offered alongside the regular clinical supervision they all receive within their teams.
Please note that if you are currently receiving treatment from the same service where the post is situated, you are advised to contact the recruiting manager to discuss potential conflicts of interest before proceeding with your application.
The hours are 37.5 and a flexible approach will be considered
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Our growing workforce of Peer Specialists work alongside service users to build their confidence and strengthen their community support networks so that they are empowered to live well despite their mental health challenges.
The successful candidate must be able to travel, preferably being able to drive using their own transport.
· Peer Support workers engage with mental health service users to show empathy, share experience, inspire hope and promote recovery with the aim of assisting individuals to gain and maintain independence in the community
· Peer Support workers are part of the Adult Mental Health Services multi-disciplinary Care Team. The role is to focus on the day to day holistic support needs of service users. Self-managed care is essential to this: the supported person is encouraged to assess their own needs and to develop and implement a self-management plan
· Peer support is delivered through promoting empowerment and choice and giving the opportunity for the exploration of meaning and purpose
Work is guided by a qualified professional (ie. nurse, occupational Therapist) and supervision is regularly provided to support the work
· Supervising one other Peer Support Worker if experienced
· Undertaking highly skilled and specialised support work
Working without direct supervision (depending on level of experience)
We run a specialised clinic that is attended by our clients and a part of the role will be supporting with this.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Health care or relevant NVQ Level 3 or equivalent skills acquired through experience or formal teaching qualification
- A recognised Peer Support qualification
- Evidence of a commitment to lifelong learning
KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE
Essential criteria
- Significant experience of working with people with mental health needs in a paid or voluntary capacity in health/social care/teaching setting
- Experience of working with people with mental health difficulties
- Experience of working with groups/activities
- Experience of supervising others
- Lived experience of mental health issues/difficulties
- Managing personal mental health and recovery
- Comprehensive knowledge of Peer Support, Recovery and Wellbeing in mental health and ability to apply this throughout your work
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Gill Banner
- Job title
- Team Lead
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07761 444177
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