Community Peer Support Worker

As a highly valued member of the multi‑disciplinary team, the Peer Support Worker (PSW) will provide formalised peer support and practical assistance to service users in Milton Keynes, helping them to regain control over their lives and progress on their unique recovery journey. Through sharing the wisdom of their own lived experience, the PSW will inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible for others. In a relationship of mutuality, the PSW facilitates and supports information sharing to promote choice, self‑determination and opportunities for the fulfilment of socially valued roles and connection to local communities. The PSW takes a lead role in embedding recovery values within the service setting, acting as an ambassador for the Community Mental Health Hub and collaborating with external agencies and partner organisations. As a core member, the PSW works with service users on a 1:1 and/or group basis and co‑works with other colleagues.

Main duties of the job

Please note only candidates who have personal experience of mental health difficulties and have accessed secondary mental health services should apply. Secondary mental health services are specialist NHS services providing assessment, treatment, and recovery‑focused support for individuals with more complex or severe mental health needs. In your personal statement, please give specific details about your lived experience so we can assess the authenticity of your application. We encourage you to include names of services you have accessed.

In addition to individual and group work, the PSW promotes their role by providing information and learning opportunities to multidisciplinary teams and other stakeholders across Milton Keynes. The PSW supports the co‑facilitation of Recovery College courses, develops partnership working within the local community and with third‑sector organisations.

Working for our organisation

CNWL is committed to high‑quality, evidence‑based treatment and to fostering staff competence through training, audit and research.

Values:

• Compassion: staff are led by compassion and embody the values of care outlined in our Staff Charter.
• Respect: we value diversity and create an inclusive environment recognising each individual’s uniqueness.
• Empowerment: we involve and empower patients, service users and carers to actively manage their illness and adopt recovery principles.
• Partnership: we work closely with partners to achieve the best outcomes for those we serve.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Work with the multi‑disciplinary team to deliver support to individuals accessing the community service.
• Assume a coaching role supporting service users in developing personal recovery plans, individually or in groups.
• Assist service users to identify strengths, interests and goals.
• Provide opportunities for service users to direct their own recovery process.
• Facilitate individual progress through and beyond the community service.
• Model and mentor a recovery process, demonstrating coping skills from personal experience.
• Act as a role model, sharing life experiences and lessons learned in recovery.
• Support service users in negotiating an Advanced Directive with all parties involved.
• Contribute to assessment, planning, implementation and review of care with the multi‑disciplinary team.
• Collaborate with service users and, where possible, carers on care plans, encouraging active participation.
• Assist individuals in managing day‑to‑day mental health, including activities of daily living such as self‑care, budgeting, home care and leisure.
• Promote and support independent living by leveraging extensive knowledge of community resources and encouraging access to employment, housing and leisure opportunities.
• Assist in developing and implementing educational and peer‑facilitated support groups that complement the team plan.
• Accompany service users to appointments, therapeutic or social community activities as appropriate.
• Support service users in reconnecting with family, friends, significant others and improving relationships.
• Help maintain connection with life outside services.
• Respect service users’ personal beliefs, uniqueness, and identity.

Other

• Preparedness to work flexible hours as arranged, including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to travel between locations using own transport.

Experience

• Personal lived experience of recovery from mental health challenges.
• Experience of accessing secondary mental health services.
• Paid or unpaid working experience within a multidisciplinary team in health and social care.
• Willingness to share life experiences and personal recovery constructively with users and carers.
• Experience supporting individuals to identify and work towards personal goals in health or social care settings.
• Developed personal recovery plans.
• Involvement in service redesign or development.

Skills & Knowledge

• Demonstrated understanding of intentional Peer Support.
• First‑person experiential knowledge of personal recovery.
• Knowledge of personal recovery as it relates to others.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to form peer relationships with users and carers.
• Effective communication at all levels, both internally and externally to the Trust.
• Calm professionalism in response to distress, disturbance and unpredictability.
• Basic Health and Safety awareness/first aid.
• Moving and handling awareness.
• Awareness of local services.
• Knowledge of benefits and employment systems.
• Understanding of mental health issues.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI may be used as a support tool, not a replacement for the applicant’s own work. Applications must remain personal, accurate and reflective of the candidate’s real experience. AI‑generated content must not misrepresent skills, qualifications or experience. Over‑reliance on AI is discouraged and may reduce chances of success. Use of AI is prohibited during the interview process.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) and the Order 2020; a disclosure submission to the Disclosure and Barring Service will be required.