Job summary
- Main area
- Peer Supporter
- Grade
- Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (9-5)
- Job ref
- 263-ICG25-067-LB
- Employer
- Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Carleton Clinic
- Town
- Cumbria
- Salary
- £24,937 - £26,598 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 09/10/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Peer Supporter - £3K Incentive
Band 3
Hello!
We are so delighted you are considering coming to work with us at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW).
We know the power of looking into an organisation, one you might want to work in, or one where you are going to get help, and being able to say, ‘I’ve seen somewhere I can fit in and be myself.’ We’re on a journey to make the Trust an inclusive employer, representative of the community we serve and we want more of our community to consider applying for jobs with us.
Opportunities for you
Spanning east to west coasts from Northumberland to Cumbria and from the Scottish Borders down to Middlesbrough we’ve got exciting new opportunities available at every level and in every area.
We offer flexible working, helping work fit around family and caring responsibilities, or training and development needs and there’s lots on offer in the way of benefits, such as, lease cars, childcare schemes, staff discounts, season tickets for travel and a cycle to work scheme. All this in a vibrant workplace supported by the following staff networks.
- Cultural diversity staff network
- Disabled staff network
- LGBT+ staff network
We also have a number of staff support groups which are open to any staff to attend. These Include:
- Armed Forces and Veterans Staff Association
- Mind, Health and Wellbeing Community
- Menopause toolkit and cafes and staff carer support group
We offer fantastic personal development opportunities through our Collective Leadership Programme and other Organisational Development initiatives. Whatever you are looking for, you will be joining a supportive, friendly team, offering varied and interesting roles, with opportunities for career progression.
Always improving
CNTW is regulated by the national healthcare regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Our last two inspections have rated us as an outstanding organisation. We’re always seeking to improve as an organisation. Do you want to be part of that?
Please note that it is a requirement of this Trust that all external applicants pay for their own DBS certification if a DBS check is required for the post. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first monthly pay
Job overview
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) are recruiting for a Peer Supporter on Hadrian which is our 18 bedded inpatient male acute ward at the Carleton clinic.
The Peer Supporter role is a vital part of our plan to continually improve the services that we provide. This Peer Supporter Vacancy is aimed at individuals with personal lived experience of over coming their own challenges with mental health.
The principal role of the posts will be to support service users and/or carers throughout their journey through our services, to establish greater control over their lives and decisions, and build resilience during their care and treatment.
These are unique opportunities to work as part of a Clinical Team, utilising your personal experience to inspire people through their own recovery path. The roles focus on creating trusting relationships whilst supporting service users (and/or carers) in their journey of recovery.
This vacancy includes an Attraction Incentive of £3000
This will be paid on the following basis:
£1,500 on appointment to be included in the employee’s first salary
£750 on the first anniversary of appointment
£750 on the second anniversary of appointment
*this will include a repayment clause if staff leave within 3 years (Appendix 1).
**Should this post be filled by a CNTW employee not currently working into inpatients services, the £3K Incentive payment may be applicable. This can be discussed in detail at interview.
Main duties of the job
The principal role of the post holder will be to support service users by developing mutual peer relationships based on their own lived experience.
A key feature of the post will be the person’s unique lived experience of accessing secondary mental health services, their recovery and how the wisdom that comes with this can support others on their personal journey.
The majority of the post holder’s time will be devoted to having direct contact with service users, mainly on a one to one basis but at times in group settings.
They will support service users to identify aspects of life that give meaning, hope, value and purpose whilst recognising that each individual’s wellbeing is distinctive and deeply personal, conversations may include reference to their own recovery journey.
They will support staff to identify, understand and respect aspects of life that give meaning, hope, value and purpose to service users and / or carers, creating an awareness in staff of the key role that service user’s experience may play in their identity and how it influences their wellbeing.
Working for our organisation
We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date : 25th September 2025
Closing date : 9th October 2025
We welcome your application.
Person specification
Education and Qualification
Essential criteria
- Good level of secondary education
- Commitment to complete the CNTW Peer Supporter Educational Programme
Desirable criteria
- Completion of Peer Support Specialist Training or other similar peer support training
- Completion of Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) training
- Completion of WRAP Educator training
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- Personal lived experience of secondary mental health services and own recovery journey
- Experience of being in a supportive and enabling role
Desirable criteria
- Experience of a person-centred approach
- Experience of working in the mental health field
- Knowledge of trauma informed practice
- Knowledge of strength’s based and person-led practice
Skills and Competencies
Essential criteria
- Understanding of personal values and beliefs
- Good interpersonal and team-working skills
- Ability to share personal story of recovery in a professional manner
- Confidence in own skills and ability to draw upon own resilience and strengths to sustain own wellbeing Ability to assist people to develop recovery and wellness plans
- Ability to facilitate groups
- Ability to deliver aspects of a planned training event.
- Ability and willingness to reflect on work practice and be open to constructive feedback
- Ability to work in an enabling and creative way
- Ability draw on own resilience while working with challenging situations
- Ability to plan and prioritise workload
- Ability to undertakebreakaway skills
Desirable criteria
- Experience of WRAP or other recovery / person-centred planning tools
- Knowledge of how the mental health and other health and social care systems operate
- Understanding of issues affecting mental health and well-being
Role/Team specific requirements
Essential criteria
- Commitment to putting recovery values and principles into practice
- Belief that people can and do recover and that people can live a meaningful life in the present or absence of difficulties
- Ability to seek support when needed
Desirable criteria
- The ability to effectively challenge practice and language use
- Ability to work as a bridge between service users / carers and clinical team
Personal Characteristics
Essential criteria
- Enthusiasm towards and understanding of the specialist nature of the Peer Support role
- Motivation towards the promotion and development of the role
- Reliable and professional
- Non-judgemental, tolerant, compassionate and respectful
Additional Requirements
Essential criteria
- Ability to meet the mobility requirements of the post
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Paula McDonald
- Job title
- Ward Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
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