Peer Support Worker

Peer Support Worker

Sheffield Temporary 18865 - 18865 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support individuals experiencing homelessness by using your lived experience to mentor and engage with them.
  • Company: Join South Yorkshire Housing Association, dedicated to helping people settle at home and live well.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, 27 days holiday, and access to training and development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the community while working in a diverse and supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: Must have lived experience of homelessness or insecure housing; strong communication and empathy skills required.
  • Other info: Temporary position until March 2026, with potential for extension based on funding.

The predicted salary is between 18865 - 18865 £ per year.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Lived Experience Peer Support Worker to work alongside Sheffield City Councils Rough Sleeper Teams and Street Outreach Service. You will play a part in the delivery of the Councils Rough Sleeping Programme and Strategy, with the aim of improving people's experience and outcomes.

What we are looking for:

  • The majority of people Rough Sleeping or at risk of, have experienced multiple disadvantage and trauma. You will act as a mentor and expert by experience, to people rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping.
  • You will use your lived experience and insight to increase engagement, build relationships and develop understanding.
  • We are looking for a compassionate and dedicated individual and we welcome people from diverse backgrounds with different life experiences. We believe this makes our team stronger.
  • It is essential that you have lived experience in any one or more of the following areas:
  • Homelessness
  • Insecure Housing
  • Rough Sleeping
  • Criminal Justice System (Desirable)

Who you are:

  • We want to know what you enjoy doing and what you will do well. We want to ensure that this role is the right fit for you, so we are particularly interested in people who are:
  • Excellent at building trusting relationships, strong communication and active listening skills, great at reaching out, connecting and engaging with a wide range of people.
  • Empathetic and non-judgemental; open, honest and friendly, able to see and support the potential in people.
  • A well of positivity, hopeful and optimistic, always seeking solutions.
  • Have a good understanding of the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness and the systemic factors contributing to homelessness.
  • Knowledge of local resources and support services for individuals experiencing homelessness is advantageous.
  • Have lived experience yourself of either homelessness or insecure housing, rough sleeping and/or the criminal justice system. Ideally you will have been in recovery for a minimum of 2 years.
  • Able to use your own lived experience to support others in an authentic, credible and appropriate way.
  • Willing to develop your practice in peer support, strength-based approaches and motivational interviewing.

Please see the job description and person specification for more information, including the strengths we believe will lead to success in this role.

Benefits:

  • Flexible working hours of 37 hours per week, negotiable (we're happy to discuss part-time hours)
  • 27 days holiday, plus 8 bank holidays, plus 4 SYHA days connected to bank holidays (pro-rata for part time staff)
  • Benefits which include an excellent flexible working scheme, family friendly perks, wellbeing scheme, discounts scheme
  • Access to a wide range of training and development to support you in your role.
  • Pension contribution

Who we are:

At South Yorkshire Housing Association, our purpose is for our customers to settle at home, live well and realise their potential. Feeling settled and living well means different things to the people and families that live across South Yorkshire. So, we work with people in different ways – from our extra-care housing, to providing services and opportunities that individuals can access in their home, workplace and community, to creating houses for affordable rent. Our employees enable us to create the best services, support, and experiences for our customers. We believe that difference makes us better, and that our services are made stronger by having a diverse workforce. We encourage and welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Closing Date: Sunday 29th June, Midnight

Interviews will be held on Monday 7th July & Tuesday 8th July (Please keep both these dates available)

Please note that we may remove this advert prior to the advertised date, dependent on the level of response received. Please apply at your earliest convenience.

Peer Support Worker employer: South Yorkshire Housing

South Yorkshire Housing Association is an exceptional employer that values diversity and lived experience, making it a supportive environment for Peer Support Workers. With flexible working hours, generous holiday allowances, and a strong commitment to employee development, we empower our team to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those experiencing homelessness in Sheffield. Join us to be part of a compassionate team dedicated to improving outcomes for vulnerable individuals while enjoying a culture that prioritises wellbeing and personal growth.
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Contact Detail:

South Yorkshire Housing Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Peer Support Worker

✨Tip Number 1

Make sure to highlight your lived experience in homelessness or insecure housing during any informal conversations or networking opportunities. This personal connection can resonate deeply with the hiring team and demonstrate your authenticity.

✨Tip Number 2

Familiarise yourself with local resources and support services for individuals experiencing homelessness in Sheffield. Being knowledgeable about these services will not only help you in the role but also show your commitment and understanding of the community's needs.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your active listening and communication skills before the interview. Engaging in mock conversations with friends or mentors can help you articulate your thoughts clearly and demonstrate your ability to connect with others effectively.

✨Tip Number 4

Research the Rough Sleeping Programme and Strategy implemented by Sheffield City Council. Understanding their goals and challenges will allow you to speak knowledgeably about how you can contribute to their mission during the interview.

We think you need these skills to ace Peer Support Worker

Excellent Communication Skills
Active Listening Skills
Empathy and Non-Judgemental Attitude
Relationship Building
Understanding of Homelessness Challenges
Knowledge of Local Resources and Support Services
Authenticity in Peer Support
Positivity and Optimism
Solution-Oriented Mindset
Strength-Based Approaches
Motivational Interviewing Techniques
Ability to Engage with Diverse Populations
Experience in Recovery from Homelessness or Insecure Housing

Some tips for your application 🫡

Highlight Your Lived Experience: Make sure to clearly articulate your lived experience related to homelessness, insecure housing, or the criminal justice system. This is a key requirement for the role, so share specific examples of how your experiences have shaped your understanding and ability to support others.

Showcase Your Skills: Emphasise your strong communication, active listening, and relationship-building skills. Provide examples of situations where you successfully engaged with individuals from diverse backgrounds, demonstrating your empathy and non-judgemental approach.

Connect with the Organisation's Values: Research South Yorkshire Housing Association and align your application with their mission of helping customers settle at home and live well. Mention how your personal values resonate with their commitment to diversity and community support.

Tailor Your Application: Customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements outlined in the job description. Use keywords from the listing to ensure your application stands out and shows that you understand the role and its responsibilities.

How to prepare for a job interview at South Yorkshire Housing

✨Share Your Lived Experience

Be prepared to discuss your own experiences with homelessness or insecure housing. This role values authenticity, so sharing your journey can help demonstrate your understanding and empathy towards those you will be supporting.

✨Showcase Your Communication Skills

Highlight your ability to build trusting relationships and engage with a diverse range of individuals. Use examples from your past where you've successfully connected with others, as this is crucial for the Peer Support Worker role.

✨Demonstrate Empathy and Positivity

During the interview, convey your empathetic nature and positive outlook. Discuss how you approach challenges with hope and solutions, as this aligns with the qualities they are looking for in a candidate.

✨Familiarise Yourself with Local Resources

Research local support services and resources available for individuals experiencing homelessness. Being knowledgeable about these can show your commitment to the role and your readiness to assist those in need.

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