Senior Peer Supporter
Application closing date: 23 April 2026.
We are conducting recruitment for a Senior Peer Supporter within the Hope Haven team based in Whitehaven, Cumbria. The role supports the transformation of mental health care locally by bringing together specialist health, social care and community services. The post requires a dedicated team leader with lived experience and a background in peer support and recovery training.
Main duties of the job
* Work with people to develop and follow care plans tailored to individual needs.
* Collaborate with partner organisations to identify the most appropriate interventions.
* Liaise with senior leads to communicate progress within the Lived Experience team.
* Support and mentor the team in day‑to‑day caseload management.
* Contribute to the development and delivery of training for all partners.
* Promote carer involvement by working alongside the carer lead and involvement team.
* Facilitate groups and one‑to‑one sessions using wellness plans and tools.
* Record progress and concerns, maintaining confidentiality and security.
About us
We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce that can meet the demands of the modern NHS. As employees of CNTW, staff wellbeing is a priority and various support avenues are available.
Person specification
Education and Qualification
* Good level of secondary education for maths and English at GCSE or equivalent.
* Commitment to completing CNTW’s Peer Education Programme.
* Completion of peer‑support specialist training or equivalent.
* Completion of Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) training.
* Completion of WRAP Educator training.
Knowledge and Experience
* Personal lived experience of recovery.
* Experience of being in a Peer Supporter role.
* Experience of a person‑centred approach.
* Experience of working in the mental health field.
* Knowledge of trauma‑informed practice.
* Knowledge of strengths‑based and person‑led practice.
Skills and Competencies
* Understanding of personal values and beliefs.
* Good interpersonal and team‑working skills.
* Ability to share personal story of recovery professionally.
* Ability to help people develop recovery plans (goals, objectives).
* Facilitation of small groups to gather service‑user experiences.
* Delivery of training events.
* Openness to constructive feedback.
* Ability to draw on personal resilience in challenging situations.
* Stress management, prioritisation of workload.
* Experience of WRAP or other planning tools.
* Knowledge of the mental‑health, health and social‑care systems.
* Understanding of issues affecting health and wellbeing.
* Creative, enabling working style.
Role/team specific requirements
* Experience offering peer support to a wide range of service users or carers, including those with mental health issues, neuro‑diversity and other disabilities.
* Ability to challenge practice and language use effectively.
* Bridge between service users, carers and clinical teams.
* Experience working in partnership with third‑sector or voluntary services.
Personal characteristics
* Commitment to living out recovery values and principles.
* Belief that people can and do recover.
* Seeking support when needed.
* Non‑judgemental, tolerant, compassionate and respectful.
Additional requirements
* Ability to meet mobility requirements (travel across sites and community visits).
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a disclosure check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Employer
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW).
#J-18808-Ljbffr