Oxford Health NHS Trust

(Part-time) Peer Support Worker – Service User Network (SUN)

This job is now closed

Job summary

Do you have lived experience of Personality Disorder, are passionate about supporting others with similar experiences through inspiring hope for the future? Then this role is for you.

We are recruiting for aPeer Support Workerto join the Service User Network (SUN) within Oxford Health, Buckinghamshire.This vacancy is an excellent opportunity for people with lived experience of difficulties commonly associated with Personality Disorders.Peer Support Workers (PSW's) are people who have their own lived experience of mental health challenges. They use empathy informed by their own experiences to support service users who are accessing mental health services and their families.

The SUN Peer Support Worker will be working closely with mental health practitioners to deliver regular SUN groups in different community-based locations across Buckinghamshire.

The SUN is an initiative aimed at improving services for people with personality disorders. It provides community-based, open access peer support groups

SUN employs therapeutic community principles, which include engaging group members in the running, delivery, development and evaluation of the service. The utilisation of SUN members' own resources and expertise is integral to the model of peer support upon which the SUN groups are based.

SUN facilitators will have regular supervision and support in this role, including access to a peer support network and appropriate training. Please note this role is part-time working 22.5 hours per week.

Main duties of the job

Use your own lived experience of Personality Disorder (or associated difficulties) to inspire hope, drawing on empathy and understanding informed by your own experiences to support those accessing services.
Co-facilitate SUN peer support groups, offer empathy, empower group members, encouraging them to build their own support networks and resources.
Support engagement of new members or those considering joining SUN or group based services by offering engagement calls where a need for this has been identified.
Reduce stigma by role-modelling recovery journeys and challenging discrimination with compassion.

The primary base for the role is The Whiteleaf Centre in Aylesbury, but you will be expected to work across multiple venues across Buckinghamshire, so the ability to travel independently between sites within the Trust is essential for this role.

Is this right for me?

The role as a peer support worker within SUN is a demanding role working with service users who may at times be distressed and/or presenting with risk behaviours.

If you are thinking of applying, we strongly recommend reading the attached document entitled 'Things to consider before you apply'. This document will help you understand more about your readiness for the role so you can make an informed decision if the job is right for you.

About us

Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the "candidate guide to making an application" and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.

As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are: "Caring, safe and excellent"

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

o Excellent opportunities for career progressiono Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and developmento 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous serviceo NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailerso Competitive pension schemeo Lease car schemeo Cycle to work schemeo Employee Assistance Programmeo Mental Health First Aiderso Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists apply)o Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Date posted

29 May 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£28,392 to £31,157 a year Per Annum | Pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

267-BM8029328

Job locations

The Whiteleaf Centre

Bierton Road

Aylesbury

HP20 1EG

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the job description and person specifications attached for further information on this role.

This job purpose is not exhaustive and there may be additional duties associated with the ongoing development of the wider Personality Disorder pathway and Primary Care Mental Health Hub which will be negotiated as required with the line manager.

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.

The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview, and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.

Due to the nature of this role and the need to maintain appropriate therapeutic and professional boundaries within a small specialist service, applicants should not be actively accessing or receiving ongoing support from the Buckinghamshire SUN Service at the point of offer.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the job description and person specifications attached for further information on this role.

Person Specification

Question 1

Essential

Tell us about your existing knowledge of mental health conditions specifically personality disorder/difficulties

Question 2

Essential

Tell us in what ways your personal experience would allow you to offer specialist support within SUN groups

Question 3

Essential

Tell us about your previous or current experience working within Peer Support or a similar role

Question 4

Essential

Tell us about your experience of working in a group setting.

Question 5

Essential

Please tell us about your story or experiences with personality disorder/difficulties and how you think you can apply those experiences to supporting SUN Service Users?

Person Specification

Question 1

Essential

Tell us about your existing knowledge of mental health conditions specifically personality disorder/difficulties

Question 2

Essential

Tell us in what ways your personal experience would allow you to offer specialist support within SUN groups

Question 3

Essential

Tell us about your previous or current experience working within Peer Support or a similar role

Question 4

Essential

Tell us about your experience of working in a group setting.

Question 5

Essential

Please tell us about your story or experiences with personality disorder/difficulties and how you think you can apply those experiences to supporting SUN Service Users?

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

The Whiteleaf Centre

Bierton Road

Aylesbury

HP20 1EG

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

The Whiteleaf Centre

Bierton Road

Aylesbury

HP20 1EG

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)