Job overview
Do you have lived experience of mental health challenges?
We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for a Full Time Band 3 Peer Support Worker to join our Structured Clinical Management (SCM) Team.
As a Peer Support Worker, you will work with individuals facing complex emotional and relational needs, drawing on your own recovery journey to offer hope, understanding, and practical support. You will act as a role model by sharing your own lived experience of recovering from mental health difficulties, inspiring hope, and optimism, and demonstrating that a meaningful life is possible.
Who We’re Looking For
· Lived Experience: You’ve faced mental health challenges, accessed mental health services, and can reflect on your recovery journey to inspire others.
· Empathy and Resilience: You’re able to connect with people, handle challenging situations professionally, and maintain boundaries.
The SCM Team supports individuals with complex emotional and relational needs within the CMHT in Tameside & Glossop. We offer an evidence-based treatment over 12-18 months, including one-to-one sessions and skills groups.
Our clinical leads recommend taking a period of approximately 12 months after completing a CERN intervention (e.g. SCM) to consolidate gains made, prior to applying for this Peer Support Worker role. This is a recommendation, and all applications will be reviewed on an individual basis.
Main duties of the job
· Support Recovery: Use your lived experience to provide emotional and practical support, helping service users identify and work towards their personal goals.
· Build Connections: Offer empathy and companionship, working one-on-one and in groups to empower individuals and reduce feelings of isolation.
· Share Self-Management Tools: Draw on the techniques you’ve used to manage your own wellbeing and share these with others in a hopeful, strengths-based way.
· Be a Role Model: Inspire belief in recovery by modelling wellbeing and acting as an ambassador for service users within our team.
· Make a Difference: Your story and insights will empower others, helping them feel understood and supported on their recovery journey.
· Supportive Team: You’ll be part of a compassionate, multidisciplinary team with access to training and regular supervision to help you thrive.
· Shape Peer Support: Join a Trust that values lived experience and contribute to reducing stigma in mental health care.
Working for our organisation
We are proud to provide high-quality mental health and learning disability services, both inpatient and in the community across five boroughs of Greater Manchester - Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside and Glossop.
Our vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities and our staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use our services. We’re really proud of our #PennineCarePeople and do everything we can to make sure we’re a great place to work.
All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership are encouraged to apply for this post. We would also encourage applications from individuals with a lived experience of mental illness, either individually or as a carer.
If you come and work for us we will offer a range of benefits and opportunities, including:
· Generous annual leave entitlement for Agenda for Change and Medical and Dental staff.
· Flexible working opportunities to support your work/life balance.
· Access to Continued Professional Development.
· Involvement in improvement and research activities.
· Health and Wellbeing activities and access to an excellent staff wellbeing service.
· Access to staff discounts across retail, leisure and travel.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification to support your application for this post. Please refer to the essential criteria in the person specification which will highlight the skills, knowledge and experience you will need to demonstrate in your application, by way of example, to give yourself the best opportunity to be shortlisted.’
Person specification
Essential
Essential criteria
* GCSE English to GCSE standard or equivalent.
* Peer Support Worker training or commitment to undertake on commencement of role, or equivalent demonstrable knowledge and experience.
Desirable criteria
* •Willingness to undertake further training in line with the development of peer support
Experience
Essential criteria
* Commitment to completing or completion of Accredited Peer Support Worker training course.
* Lived experience of mental health challenges, accessing mental health services for support and an ability to reflect on these experiences.
* Wide range of life experiences and the ability to bring a positive viewpoint to others.
Desirable criteria
* Experience of reflecting on own experiences and working practices in one-to-one or group settings (as an attendee or facilitator)
* Experience of supporting others to identify and work towards their own goals.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
* Demonstrate an understanding of the value of peer support work and the impact of stigma and discrimination.
* Demonstrate a clear understanding of professional and personal boundaries in relation to sharing of recovery stories.
Desirable criteria
* The ability to work in an enabling and creative way, where the service user is the expert in their own recovery.
📝 Application support - We also offer virtual application support sessions each month, where you will learn some hints and tips to support you in completing your application form. To secure your place, and to find out more visit the on our website.
🌍 Sponsorship Information - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the
📬 After You Apply - Once your application is submitted, you’ll receive updates via email. Shortlisting is based on how well you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, and invitations will be sent by email.
✅ If You're Offered the Role - If successful, the hiring manager will contact you directly with a verbal offer. They will then notify the Recruitment Team and submit the necessary paperwork. You’ll receive a formal conditional offer via email
🔍 Pre-Employment Checks - To confirm your suitability for the role, we will carry out pre-employment checks in line with. These include:
* Identity verification
* Right to work check
* Disclosure and barring service (DBS)/Criminal record check (dependent on role)
* Professional registration and/or qualification check
* Occupational health assessment
* Employment history and reference validation
All applicants external to Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust will be required to provide their to cover the most recent three years employment. This information will used to validate employment history and references.
If you require sponsorship, we will assess your eligibility based on current If the role is not eligible and you cannot demonstrate your right to work, your conditional offer may be withdrawn.
🚀 Once Checks Are Complete -
The Recruitment Team will coordinate with you and the hiring manager to confirm a start date. You’ll be booked onto a Trust Welcome Session and receive your Pennine Care NHS Terms and Conditions.
📣 Additional Information -
We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds to help us grow, innovate, and improve.
If you wish to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role.
If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact us on 0161 716 3181 as early as possible so we can support you.
Please note:
* We do not accept unsolicited contact from recruitment agencies. Hiring managers should not be contacted directly.
* We may close vacancies early if we receive a high volume of applications. To ensure your application is considered, please apply as soon as possible.