Job summary
Teesside Mind is excited to introduce a new Peer Support Worker role focused on supporting younger adults aged 18-25. This role is part of a wider partnership with Darlington Mind and the Cornforth Partnership, who are recruiting to similar roles.
We define peer support as a relationship where people with shared experiences connect to build safe, trusting, and non-judgemental relationships through which they learn and grow together. Peer Support Workers use their own lived experience of mental health problems and accessing services to support others on their recovery journey.
This role aims to provide holistic, recovery-focused support that reduces the need for future secondary NHS mental health services or hospital admissions. Youll be part of a trauma-informed, person-centred team working across organisational boundaries to meet the wide-ranging needs of young adults.
Main duties of the job
- Deliver one-to-one peer support to young adults accessing the service.
- Hold and manage a caseload efficiently and independently.
- Maintain accurate, up-to-date records using online systems.
- Manage your own diary using Microsoft Outlook.
- Contribute to the development and evaluation of this pilot project.
- Work as part of a wider recovery-focused system to promote lived experience involvement.
About us
Teesside Mind has been working in local communities to improve mental health and wellbeing for over 25 years. The environment in which we operate has changed hugely over this time, and the importance of good mental health has never been as widely understood.
One of our proudest achievements in the last 3 years has been collaborating with Primary Care colleagues on the development of Social Prescribing on Teesside. In addition our recent merger with Redcar and Cleveland Mind has enabled us to offer more services to more people across Teesside.
Our communities are facing real challenges because of the legacy of Covid on peoples health and wellbeing, and pressure on resources. Some people are still less well served than others. Young people and people affected by poverty find it most difficult to get help. Our work wont stop until this has changed. There is much more we need to do. Can you help us?
Ours is a vibrant organisation to work for and our staff are our most important asset. We are compassionate, trust worthy and determined. We use evidence-based interventions, backed up by policies, training and clinical support to help people lead full and happy lives.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Peer Support Worker, you will:
- Support young adults referred by TEWV NHS community services or recently discharged from Roseberry Park Hospital.
- Build trusting, compassionate relationships through shared lived experience.
- Create safe, non-judgemental spaces where people feel heard and valued.
- Promote hope, empowerment, and recovery through peer support.
- Work alongside with each person to help plan and move forward in their own recovery journey.
- Advocate for the voices of those you support within the wider mental health system.
- Attend peer support training alongside new colleagues from partner organisations.
- Work collaboratively with peer workers across Teesside Mind, Darlington Mind, Cornforth Partnership, and TEWV.
Benefits of Working with Teesside Mind
Standard benefits:
- Defined salary according to job evaluation and Teesside Mind pay scales
- Contributory pension scheme
- Travel expenses in line with HMRC
Enhanced benefits:
- Access to EAP wellbeing service
- Holidays commence at 26 days plus 8 BH and increase with length of service up to 32 days plus 8 BH*
- Up to 2 days (15 hrs) off for volunteer / charity work*
- Up to 3 days (22.5 hrs) off for time off to care for dependants*
- Up to 6 hrs for medical appointments*
- Up to 2 weeks of bereavement leave for the death of a close/immediate family member*
- Enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Surrogacy, Paternity pay
- Free parking at Middlesbrough and Stockton offices (subject to availability)
- Access to financial rewards and discounts for high street shops, restaurants, holidays etc.
Other Family Friendly Benefits:
- Flexible working**
- Hybrid working**
- Other time off including but not limited to carers leave or parental leave either paid or unpaid as defined by statutory provisions.
Personal Development:
- Monthly supervision and a personal development plan (with and without funding - subject to approval)
- Annual development day for staff and volunteers
*All benefits are pro-rata for part time or part year contracts
** Subject to meeting the needs of the individual, the team and service delivery Benefits
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Peer Support Worker, you will:
- Support young adults referred by TEWV NHS community services or recently discharged from Roseberry Park Hospital.
- Build trusting, compassionate relationships through shared lived experience.
- Create safe, non-judgemental spaces where people feel heard and valued.
- Promote hope, empowerment, and recovery through peer support.
- Work alongside with each person to help plan and move forward in their own recovery journey.
- Advocate for the voices of those you support within the wider mental health system.
- Attend peer support training alongside new colleagues from partner organisations.
- Work collaboratively with peer workers across Teesside Mind, Darlington Mind, Cornforth Partnership, and TEWV.
Benefits of Working with Teesside Mind
Standard benefits:
- Defined salary according to job evaluation and Teesside Mind pay scales
- Contributory pension scheme
- Travel expenses in line with HMRC
Enhanced benefits:
- Access to EAP wellbeing service
- Holidays commence at 26 days plus 8 BH and increase with length of service up to 32 days plus 8 BH*
- Up to 2 days (15 hrs) off for volunteer / charity work*
- Up to 3 days (22.5 hrs) off for time off to care for dependants*
- Up to 6 hrs for medical appointments*
- Up to 2 weeks of bereavement leave for the death of a close/immediate family member*
- Enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Surrogacy, Paternity pay
- Free parking at Middlesbrough and Stockton offices (subject to availability)
- Access to financial rewards and discounts for high street shops, restaurants, holidays etc.
Other Family Friendly Benefits:
- Flexible working**
- Hybrid working**
- Other time off including but not limited to carers leave or parental leave either paid or unpaid as defined by statutory provisions.
Personal Development:
- Monthly supervision and a personal development plan (with and without funding - subject to approval)
- Annual development day for staff and volunteers
*All benefits are pro-rata for part time or part year contracts
** Subject to meeting the needs of the individual, the team and service delivery Benefits
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience using own lived experience to support others (paid or voluntary)
- Experience working with young adults with complex social needs or in distress
- Personal experience of mental health challenges and using services between ages 18-25
- Experience working as part of a team and in multi-agency settings
Desirable
- Experience working in community settings
- Experience working in hospital settings or with TEWV NHS
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Passionate about empowering others to thrive and recover
- Inspiring, hopeful, and motivating presence
- Caring, compassionate, and person-centred approach
- Able to practice self-care and maintain personal wellbeing
- Commitment to Teesside Minds values and objectives
- Willing and able to travel across the local area as required
Skills & Competencies
Essential
- Ability to build trust and rapport with young adults aged 18 to 25 in person and by phone
- Excellent communication and active listening skills
- Ability to share elements of your own recovery journey in ways which is appropriate to the role and to a peer relationship
- Ability to work with people using a service to set SMART goals, plan next steps, and maintain motivation
- Reflective practice and commitment to continuous personal development
- Awareness of your own wellbeing needs and how to maintain them
- Confident using IT systems for admin and data management
- Time management and self-organisation skills
Knowledge & Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification OR the ability to work with information at this level through equivalent experience
- Understanding of mental health problems and services
- Understanding of the voluntary sector and its role in mental health support
- Understanding of CHIME model of recovery, person-centred and trauma-informed practice
- Understanding of Safeguarding and safety planning
- Understanding of local services in the Teesside area
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience using own lived experience to support others (paid or voluntary)
- Experience working with young adults with complex social needs or in distress
- Personal experience of mental health challenges and using services between ages 18-25
- Experience working as part of a team and in multi-agency settings
Desirable
- Experience working in community settings
- Experience working in hospital settings or with TEWV NHS
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Passionate about empowering others to thrive and recover
- Inspiring, hopeful, and motivating presence
- Caring, compassionate, and person-centred approach
- Able to practice self-care and maintain personal wellbeing
- Commitment to Teesside Minds values and objectives
- Willing and able to travel across the local area as required
Skills & Competencies
Essential
- Ability to build trust and rapport with young adults aged 18 to 25 in person and by phone
- Excellent communication and active listening skills
- Ability to share elements of your own recovery journey in ways which is appropriate to the role and to a peer relationship
- Ability to work with people using a service to set SMART goals, plan next steps, and maintain motivation
- Reflective practice and commitment to continuous personal development
- Awareness of your own wellbeing needs and how to maintain them
- Confident using IT systems for admin and data management
- Time management and self-organisation skills
Knowledge & Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification OR the ability to work with information at this level through equivalent experience
- Understanding of mental health problems and services
- Understanding of the voluntary sector and its role in mental health support
- Understanding of CHIME model of recovery, person-centred and trauma-informed practice
- Understanding of Safeguarding and safety planning
- Understanding of local services in the Teesside area
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such 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.
