Peer Support Worker - Band 3 in Barnsley

An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit a Peer Support Worker to work within the Community Connector Team based at Barnsley Recovery & Wellbeing College. Our current Peer Support Workers bring a wealth of lived experience of their own mental health challenges and struggles. By utilising and sharing their own experiences in a positive, supportive, and meaningful way, they help to support individuals to manage and maintain their own physical and mental health wellbeing.

We are looking for an individual who is creative and confident in trying new ways of working to help people become empowered to live their best life. You will be expected to work with all disciplines in a variety of community settings across the borough of Barnsley. The role is to deliver recovery-focused interventions such as graded exposure, psychoeducation, accessing the Recovery College, and enabling individuals to connect with their local communities to manage their own health and well-being.

You must be well organised, self-motivated, and able to cope with personal stress, managing your own health and wellbeing in a positive manner. All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to have their up-to-date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients.

Person Specification

• Training (Desirable): Mental Health Awareness Training, Mental Health First Aid Training. Completion of own Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) or whole-life plan.

Qualifications

• Essential: Educated to NVQ level 3 or equivalent level of experience.
• Desirable: QCF Diploma in Health & Social Care Level 4 or equivalent or equivalent level of experience.

Physical Attributes

• Essential: A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness relates to a disability and/or pregnancy).

Experience

• Essential: Lived experience of using mental health and/or physical health services or being a carer. Wide range of life experiences to bring an enabling and positive view of opportunities for others. Computer/keyboard skills using MS software. Experience of being in a supportive and enabling role. Experience of working in a team or a group environment. Willingness to share one’s own personal recovery to help others.
• Desirable: Experience of supporting the development of projects. Experience of partnership working and networking. Experience of facilitating groups and/or chairing meetings. Experience of working in the public sector. Customer care. Office/administrative experience. Experience of using ViewPoint real-time patient experience system. Information management experience including data input, collection & collation, setting up spreadsheets or files. Experience with database software such as SPSS, Excel, Access. Report writing.

Personal Attributes

• Essential: A current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants who cannot drive due to a disability). Ability to work with people in a supportive and empowering way. Excellent communication skills. Ability to work as part of a team. Self-motivated and enthusiastic. Ability to prioritise and manage own work; ability to work under pressure. Ability to work independently while referring to a manager for guidance. Commitment to the Trust’s mission and values. Confident, conscientious, reliable. Recovery/strengths focused.
• Desirable: Emotional maturity and range of life experience. Flexibility and adaptability. Sense of humour. Energy, drive, enthusiasm and tenacity. Patient, non-judgmental, respectful and compassionate. Quick learner. Team player.

Special Knowledge and Skills

• Essential: Excellent organisational and time-management skills. Computer skills. Communication skills (both oral and written). Ability to support and facilitate groups. Ability to write reports and keep records. Understanding of the impact of stigma and discrimination. Knowledge and understanding of health issues and the impact of poor health on the individual.
• Desirable: Knowledge of the philosophy and principles of co-production and service-user and carer-led recovery initiatives. Skills in supporting volunteers in creative projects in community settings. Data handling skills. Ability to liaise and negotiate with a wide range of people internal and external to the organisation. Awareness of Caldicott & information confidentiality/security issues. Ability to use initiative to deliver what is required. Understanding of project management principles.

Other Information

Visa sponsorship under the Health and Care Worker visa route can only be considered if the prorated salary meets the minimum threshold of £25,000, as required by UK Visas and Immigration. For Band 3 roles, only full-time positions at the top of the pay scale meet this threshold, therefore sponsorship may not be possible depending on salary placement and working hours. We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups and value diversity; we want our workforce to reflect the communities we serve. The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

Some key details:

• Posting date: 24 February 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change – Band 3 (£24,937 to £26,958 a year)
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Part-time, Flexible working
• Reference number: C9378-B2277
• Job location: 33 Gawber Road, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S75 2AH

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

As per the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, a Submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) will be required.

Employer Details

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
33 Gawber Road
Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S75 2AH
Website: https://www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk

Application Disclaimer

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. Over-reliance on AI-generated content in application forms is strongly discouraged; we will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.