At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide one-to-one peer support to students facing mental health challenges and emotional distress.
- Company: Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, committed to student wellbeing.
- Benefits: Permanent position with opportunities for personal growth and community impact.
- Other info: Join a pioneering service that promotes inclusivity and collaboration in higher education.
- Why this job: Use your lived experience to inspire hope and support fellow students in their journey.
- Qualifications: Lived experience of mental health challenges and a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 25147 - 27596 £ per year.
As part of our continued commitment to student mental health and wellbeing across Birmingham’s universities, we are looking to strengthen our existing University Peer Support Worker provision. The University Peer Support Service is a pioneering partnership between Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and local universities, providing non-clinical, lived experience support to students navigating emotional distress, mental health challenges, neurodiversity, and periods of transition during their studies between services.
The service provides short-term, person-centred support, working collaboratively with students, university wellbeing teams, NHS services, and wider community partners. This includes support during key transition points such as returning to study, taking leave of absence, managing anxiety, or accessing appropriate services for the first time.
Peer Support Workers bring a unique and invaluable perspective, using their own lived experience of mental health challenges, recovery, higher education pressures, or navigating support systems, to offer hope, connection, and practical support. We are seeking a compassionate and motivated Peer Support Worker to join our University Peer Support Service. This role is designed for people with lived experience who want to use their experience to support students facing challenges, inspire hope, and help shape a more inclusive and responsive mental health system within higher education.
- Provide one-to-one peer support to students experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, neurodiversity-related difficulties, or periods of transition during university life.
- Use lived experience appropriately to build trust, inspire hope, and model recovery-focused approaches.
- Support students to identify goals, strengths, coping strategies, and practical next steps to improve wellbeing and resilience.
- Work collaboratively with university wellbeing services, NHS teams, academic staff, and community organisations to ensure joined-up support where appropriate.
- Assist students to access relevant services, resources, groups, and opportunities both within the university and wider community.
- Provide support to students during key transition points, including starting university, returning from leave of absence, or preparing to leave university.
- Facilitate or co-facilitate peer support groups, workshops, drop-ins, or wellbeing sessions on relevant themes such as anxiety, belonging, confidence, and self-management.
- Maintain accurate and timely records in line with service policies, confidentiality, information governance, and safeguarding procedures.
- Contribute to the ongoing development of the University Peer Support Service through feedback, service improvement ideas, and participation in meetings or training.
- Promote equality, inclusion, and culturally responsive support for students from diverse backgrounds.
We are unable to support applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the United Kingdom (UK).
Band 3 Peer Support Worker | Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust employer: Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to enhancing student mental health and wellbeing through innovative peer support services. With a strong focus on collaboration, inclusivity, and personal growth, employees are empowered to utilise their lived experiences to inspire hope and provide meaningful support to students. The Trust fosters a supportive work culture that values compassion and professional development, making it an ideal place for those passionate about making a difference in the lives of others.
Contact Details:
Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Band 3 Peer Support Worker | Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Band 3 Peer Support Worker | Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
