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- Tasks: Support clients in the criminal justice system using your lived experience to inspire and motivate them.
- Company: Join Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust, an outstanding provider of mental health and community services.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, NHS pension, and discounts at popular retailers.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by helping others on their recovery journey while growing personally and professionally.
- Qualifications: Must have lived experience of the criminal justice system and be stable in recovery from substance misuse.
- Other info: We value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds; reasonable adjustments available.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Peer Support Worker – Hampshire
Have you ever been arrested, appeared in court on a criminal charge and/or been to prison?
Have you ever struggled with your mental health and/or have overcome difficulties with substance misuse?
Could you use your experiences to support others?
Could you show the people we support in court, custody, and prison that change is possible?
If so, we have an exciting development opportunity to grow personally and professionally as part of our award-winning Liaison and Diversion team.
We are experts in employing and supporting people with lived experience, with our work being endorsed by the Lived Experience Charter. Our 18-month development programme will grow your skills and confidence and give you access to a range of accredited training to support your future career in healthcare.
Many of our former peer support workers are now permanent members of our team and we have supported others into employment or further training.
We operate across Hampshire, but this post is predominately based in Portsmouth working for Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust. You will be expected to provide one-to-one practical and emotional support to our clients and encourage them to access services which improve their health and wellbeing.
If you are stable in your recovery journey and can show us how you achieved this this could be the perfect opportunity to start a new career in care.
• By using your own experience of going through the Criminal Justice System, treatment and recovery you will be supporting service users with vulnerabilities going through the Criminal Justice System.
• You will be a positive role model helping to understand, inspire, motivate, guide and support our service users to engage with services and work on their recovery. You will evidence and show visible recovery; showing that change is possible.
• You will offer emotional and practical support to our service-users by using your own lived experience of the criminal justice system and the challenges and fears this can create which will enable them to achieve a positive future.
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.
Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:
• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions
Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:
• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• ‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust site
The “must haves” for this role:
• Must have lived experience of the criminal justice system
• Must have direct lived experience and being stable in recovery from substance misuse addiction, mental ill health or other vulnerabilities. *please make explicit reference to both of these within your written application in order to be shortlisted for either of these roles.
• Must have an awareness of modelling appropriate behaviours, having the capacity to cope when unsupervised; setting clear boundaries and seeking support and guidance to support and protect own recovery, health and wellbeing
• Must have good listening skills and effective communication skills; to be able to engage appropriately with service users, carers, and colleagues, and partnership agencies.
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.
We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.
We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to call: Danielle Forster on 0300 123 5066 or email: danielle.forster@berkshire.nhs.uk who will be delighted to help.
Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
This advert closes on Wednesday 13 Aug 2025 #J-18808-Ljbffr
Peer Support Worker (18-month fixed term contract) | Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust employer: Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Contact Detail:
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Peer Support Worker (18-month fixed term contract) | Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to highlight your lived experience in the criminal justice system and your recovery journey during any informal conversations or networking opportunities. This personal connection can resonate with the hiring team and demonstrate your suitability for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with current or former peer support workers from Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. They can provide valuable insights into the role and share their experiences, which can help you tailor your approach when discussing your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Familiarise yourself with the values and mission of Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. When you have a clear understanding of their commitment to care and inclusion, you can better align your discussions and showcase how you embody these values.
✨Tip Number 4
Consider volunteering or attending workshops related to mental health and community support. This not only enhances your skills but also shows your dedication to the field, making you a more attractive candidate for the Peer Support Worker position.
We think you need these skills to ace Peer Support Worker (18-month fixed term contract) | Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Lived Experience: Make sure to explicitly mention your lived experience of the criminal justice system and your recovery journey in your application. This is crucial for demonstrating your suitability for the role.
Address the Person Specification: Carefully review the person specification and address each point in your supporting statement. This will show that you meet the essential criteria and increase your chances of being shortlisted.
Showcase Your Skills: Emphasise your good listening and effective communication skills in your application. Provide examples of how you've engaged with service users or colleagues in the past.
Express Your Motivation: In your application, convey your passion for helping others and your commitment to supporting individuals through their recovery journeys. This will help the hiring team see your dedication to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
✨Share Your Lived Experience
Be prepared to discuss your personal journey through the criminal justice system and how it has shaped your understanding of recovery. Highlight specific instances where you overcame challenges, as this will resonate with the interviewers and demonstrate your capability to support others.
✨Demonstrate Empathy and Understanding
Showcase your ability to connect with service users by sharing examples of how you've supported others in similar situations. This role requires a compassionate approach, so emphasise your listening skills and your commitment to helping others navigate their recovery journeys.
✨Highlight Your Communication Skills
Effective communication is key in this role. Prepare to discuss how you engage with service users, colleagues, and external agencies. Provide examples of how you've successfully communicated in challenging situations, ensuring that your points are clear and supportive.
✨Prepare Questions About the Role
Show your interest in the position by preparing thoughtful questions about the team, the training opportunities, and the support available for peer support workers. This not only demonstrates your enthusiasm but also helps you assess if the role aligns with your career goals.
