We are recruiting a Band3 Peer Support Worker to join our perinatal service. This is an entry level peer role, designed for someone who brings lived experience of perinatal mental health challenges and is interested in starting a career in peer support.
The role will be to establish supportive relationships with people using perinatal services based on the core principles of peer support (mutuality, reciprocity, strengths-focused, safe, progressive, non-directive and inclusive). The role will be working alongside the wider multidisciplinary perinatal team. You will receive regular supervision, training, and support to develop your skills and confidence in the peer role.
We are able to accommodate hybrid and flexible working arrangements. The successful candidate will be expected to work across the Torbay and West Devon team; attendance at both MDTs in person is required.
This is not a healthcare support worker role. It is a peer support opportunity and designed for people with lived experience.
Candidates are strongly encouraged to enquire about this role before applying.
Shortlisted candidates will be asked to share details of their own personal lived experiences of Perinatal Mental Health and their Perinatal Mental Health journey within the Perinatal Services at interview to demonstrate the ability to support our service users effectively.
Main duties of the job
The role involves building supportive relationships with people using perinatal services, based on core peer support principles. You will work alongside the wider multidisciplinary perinatal team and receive regular supervision, training, and support to develop confidence and skills in the peer role.
Peer support is rooted in shared lived experience. As a Peer Support Worker, you will use your own experience of perinatal mental health, in a safe and meaningful way, to offer understanding, hope, and practical support during pregnancy and after birth, and be willing to share relevant parts of your recovery journey.
* Providing one-to-one and group peer support to women and families within the perinatal service.
* Offering emotional support, encouragement, and reassurance based on shared lived experience.
* Supporting people to identify their own recovery goals and access community and wellbeing resources.
* Working in a trauma-informed and non-judgemental way, respecting each person’s background, culture, and circumstances.
* Participating in training, supervision, and reflective spaces to support your development and wellbeing.
* Working closely with the wider perinatal team and escalating any concerns appropriately.
* Be supported to complete required training, including peer support and perinatal specific learning.
* Work within clear boundaries, with responsibility and decision-making held by clinical colleagues.
Person Specification
Experience
* Able to demonstrate first‑person experiential knowledge of achieving Perinatal Mental health recovery goals including mother‑infant relationship goals and milestones.
* Lived experience of accessing and negotiating Perinatal services or equivalent experience from private healthcare/lived experience relevant to patient group.
* Paid or unpaid working experience in health and social care.
* Experience of actively supporting individuals to identify and work toward their self‑defined goals in a related social care or health setting (paid or unpaid).
Qualifications
* NHSE Peer Support Worker Competence Framework Training or commitment to complete within 3‑6 months of joining.
* Care Certificate training (to be completed within first 3‑6 months of joining unless already obtained).
* Basic IT skills.
* NVQ Level 3 or QCF Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification or experience.
* Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings.
Knowledge and skills
* Able to communicate effectively with people using services taking into account any communication difficulties they may have and responding appropriately.
* Able to demonstrate empathy, compassion, patience and be non‑judgemental in your approach.
* Able to demonstrate understanding about how and why we need to maintain personal‑professional boundaries.
* Knowledge of how to build community links and networks.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and thus it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Equal Employment Opportunity
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and applications are encouraged and welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics, as governed by the Equality Act 2010. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
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