Job summary
We are recruiting an Advanced Peer Support Practitioner to help develop and embed recovery-focused peer support across our Acute and Urgent Care inpatient services. This is a key leadership role within the Involvement Team, providing supervision to peer colleagues, supporting service improvement, and working with multidisciplinary teams to ensure peer support is integrated and valued.
You will draw on your own lived experience of mental health challenges and recovery to support individuals on inpatient wards and to help shape the culture of care across services. You will be part of a growing and vibrant lived experience workforce, and play a central role in advancing trauma-informed, inclusive, and person-led approaches.
The post is part-time (0.6 WTE), and there is an expectation that the role will be ward-based at least two days per week.
We are looking for someone who:
- Has personal lived experience of accessing inpatient mental health services
- Has experience of delivering peer support in acute or inpatient settings
- Can provide professional supervision and day-to-day support to peer colleagues
- Has experience of introducing or developing peer support within teams
- Can co-design and facilitate peer-led groups, reflective spaces and training
- Works collaboratively and confidently with clinical and non-clinical colleagues
- Understands and applies the NHS Peer Support Competency Framework in practice
Main duties of the job
Main duties of the role:
- Provide operational support to the Peer Support Lead and deputise when required.
- Supervise and support two Band 5 Peer Support Coordinators.
- Facilitate the Lived Experience Support & Development Group.
- Support reflective practice spaces for peer workers and follow up agreed actions.
- Deliver training and support to help teams integrate and embed peer support roles.
- Attend Daily Integrated Allocation Meetings (DIAMs) in the absence of Peer Support Coordinators.
- Manage referrals for peer support using RiO, IAPTUS and EMIS.
- Contribute to audits, evaluations and QI projects focused on improving peer-led practice.
- Support the development and delivery of peer-led activities and one-to-one support on inpatient wards.
- Work alongside colleagues in the Involvement Team to ensure lived experience is embedded across services.
- Support individuals and carers from admission through to discharge, including attending ward rounds and MDT meetings.
- Act as a role model by using lived experience to inspire hope and support recovery.
- Provide supervision and guidance to peer staff and volunteers.
- Promote co-production, inclusion and a recovery-focused culture across inpatient services.
About us
We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.
We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.
This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services as we invest a further £120m to upgrade and modernise our estate by 2027.
We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together.We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.
We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.
About our locations:
Springfield University Hospital, Tooting
Our largest, 19-ward site is in Springfield Village, created following our £150m investment into two new world class mental health facilities. A 32-acre public park, shops and cafes are now opening. Springfield is close to shops, cafes and Tooting Bec on the Northern Line plus Earlsfield and Tooting rail stations and bus routes.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. Leadership, Supervision and Workforce Development
- Contribute to the ongoing development, delivery and review of the Trust-wide Peer Support Service, in line with the strategic direction set by the Lived Experience Practitioner & Peer Support Lead.
- Provide professional supervision and line management to Peer Support Workers, Senior Peer Support Workers, and Peer Coordinators, ensuring supervision is regular, restorative, and clearly documented.
- Support the completion of annual Personal Development Plans for supervisees, offering coaching and development opportunities.
- Promote safe, supportive conditions that enable peer staff to thrive, advocating for adjustments or changes needed to uphold the values of peer support in clinical settings.
- Role-model inclusive, anti-stigma practice and actively challenge inequality, discrimination, and low expectations.
- Work in partnership with the wider workforce to ensure lived experience is valued and embedded within team culture and practice.
2. Quality Improvement & Service Development
- Support the implementation of NHS Englands Culture of Care Standards on inpatient wards, contributing to QI initiatives that prioritise compassion, safety, and inclusion.
- Co-design, co-produce and co-deliver a peer support offer across inpatient wards, including one-to-one and group-based support tailored to service user needs.
- Support the engagement of patients, carers, and families, using feedback to shape and improve services.
- Lead on local and Trust-wide peer-led initiatives, collaborating with colleagues to develop training, resources, and improvements to practice.
3. Peer Support and Advocacy
- Deliver structured, peer-led interventions that promote hope, recovery, resilience, and self-determination.
- Offer emotional and practical support to individuals in distress, crisis, or transition, helping them develop personalised recovery, crisis and contingency plans.
- Facilitate group peer support activities that are trauma-informed and responsive to the needs of diverse inpatient populations.
- Support service users in preparing for and participating in MDT meetings, ward rounds, and care planning conversations.
- Conduct or support debriefs following restrictive interventions, ensuring experiences are heard and feedback is used to inform safer practice.
- Actively signpost to community-based resources, peer support networks, and voluntary sector organisations to aid transition from inpatient care.
- Advocate for and support co-production of care plans that reflect service users goals, identity, culture, and voice.
4. Leadership and Service Influence
- Champion a recovery-oriented, person-led approach within inpatient services and advocate for the integration of peer support across care pathways.
- Act as a mentor, role model and source of guidance to junior peer staff, promoting reflective practice, resilience and wellbeing.
- Contribute to the co-production of policies, staff training, recruitment processes, and local service design.
- Participate in peer support workforce development across the Trust, including involvement in induction, training, and mentoring of new recruits.
- Represent the peer workforce in internal and external forums, contributing to strategy, innovation, and best practice.
5. Team Collaboration & Communication
- Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams to ensure peer support is a valued and integrated part of care delivery.
- Communicate sensitively and effectively with service users, carers, and staff, promoting an understanding of the peer approach and the value of lived experience roles.
- Share lived experience safely and appropriately, guided by professional boundaries and the principles of intentional peer support.
- Support people in understanding their rights and entitlements, including access to advocacy, care planning and service user involvement opportunities.
- Provide consistent, compassionate support throughout admission, transfer, and discharge, ensuring continuity and connection.
6. Personal and Professional Development
- Participate in regular supervision, training, and reflective practice to support your own wellbeing and professional development.
- Develop leadership skills through active involvement in quality improvement, training delivery and peer-led innovation.
- Engage with Trust-wide peer networks, sharing learning through forums, workshops and conferences.
- Promote understanding of peer roles and lived experience within the wider workforce by delivering staff development sessions and supporting cultural change initiatives.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. Leadership, Supervision and Workforce Development
- Contribute to the ongoing development, delivery and review of the Trust-wide Peer Support Service, in line with the strategic direction set by the Lived Experience Practitioner & Peer Support Lead.
- Provide professional supervision and line management to Peer Support Workers, Senior Peer Support Workers, and Peer Coordinators, ensuring supervision is regular, restorative, and clearly documented.
- Support the completion of annual Personal Development Plans for supervisees, offering coaching and development opportunities.
- Promote safe, supportive conditions that enable peer staff to thrive, advocating for adjustments or changes needed to uphold the values of peer support in clinical settings.
- Role-model inclusive, anti-stigma practice and actively challenge inequality, discrimination, and low expectations.
- Work in partnership with the wider workforce to ensure lived experience is valued and embedded within team culture and practice.
2. Quality Improvement & Service Development
- Support the implementation of NHS Englands Culture of Care Standards on inpatient wards, contributing to QI initiatives that prioritise compassion, safety, and inclusion.
- Co-design, co-produce and co-deliver a peer support offer across inpatient wards, including one-to-one and group-based support tailored to service user needs.
- Support the engagement of patients, carers, and families, using feedback to shape and improve services.
- Lead on local and Trust-wide peer-led initiatives, collaborating with colleagues to develop training, resources, and improvements to practice.
3. Peer Support and Advocacy
- Deliver structured, peer-led interventions that promote hope, recovery, resilience, and self-determination.
- Offer emotional and practical support to individuals in distress, crisis, or transition, helping them develop personalised recovery, crisis and contingency plans.
- Facilitate group peer support activities that are trauma-informed and responsive to the needs of diverse inpatient populations.
- Support service users in preparing for and participating in MDT meetings, ward rounds, and care planning conversations.
- Conduct or support debriefs following restrictive interventions, ensuring experiences are heard and feedback is used to inform safer practice.
- Actively signpost to community-based resources, peer support networks, and voluntary sector organisations to aid transition from inpatient care.
- Advocate for and support co-production of care plans that reflect service users goals, identity, culture, and voice.
4. Leadership and Service Influence
- Champion a recovery-oriented, person-led approach within inpatient services and advocate for the integration of peer support across care pathways.
- Act as a mentor, role model and source of guidance to junior peer staff, promoting reflective practice, resilience and wellbeing.
- Contribute to the co-production of policies, staff training, recruitment processes, and local service design.
- Participate in peer support workforce development across the Trust, including involvement in induction, training, and mentoring of new recruits.
- Represent the peer workforce in internal and external forums, contributing to strategy, innovation, and best practice.
5. Team Collaboration & Communication
- Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams to ensure peer support is a valued and integrated part of care delivery.
- Communicate sensitively and effectively with service users, carers, and staff, promoting an understanding of the peer approach and the value of lived experience roles.
- Share lived experience safely and appropriately, guided by professional boundaries and the principles of intentional peer support.
- Support people in understanding their rights and entitlements, including access to advocacy, care planning and service user involvement opportunities.
- Provide consistent, compassionate support throughout admission, transfer, and discharge, ensuring continuity and connection.
6. Personal and Professional Development
- Participate in regular supervision, training, and reflective practice to support your own wellbeing and professional development.
- Develop leadership skills through active involvement in quality improvement, training delivery and peer-led innovation.
- Engage with Trust-wide peer networks, sharing learning through forums, workshops and conferences.
- Promote understanding of peer roles and lived experience within the wider workforce by delivering staff development sessions and supporting cultural change initiatives.
Person Specification
TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- Completion of Peer Support Worker Training
- Good standard of education with a relevant qualification AS Level, NVQ 3 or equivalent or Key Skills in Literacy and Numeracy Level 2 (or willing to achieve within 2 years) and equivalent experience of providing peer support in the mental health sector
Desirable
- Peer Support Worker supervisor training.
- Peer Leadership qualification.
- Quality Improvement Training / Qualification.
- Coaching Qualification
EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Experience of representing someone's views or advocating on their behalf
- Own personal Lived experience of mental health problems from which you have recovered
- Own personal experience of accessing acute mental health services
- Experience of using wellbeing or recovery focused tools to manage own mental health
- Experience of working within a team
- Experience of using wellbeing or recovery focused tools to support someone else in managing their mental health
- Recent experience of working in the mental health sector at band 4 or above
- Experience of supporting people in a 1:1 capacity and developing / delivering peer led recovery groups
- Experience of introducing peer support into mental health services.
- Experience of designing and delivering training and facilitating groups.
- Ability to self-manage recovery and maintain professional boundaries
- Ability to articulate peer support principles, benefits and outcomes
- Experience mentoring, coaching or supporting others using lived experience
Desirable
- Experience of having used secondary mental health services
- Experience of facilitating peer-led groups
- Experience of involvement in service development, of contributing to project development/management
- Experience of recording and reporting on service improvement initiatives in any setting
- Experience of supervising others
- Experience of recruiting others to roles in either a paid or voluntary capacity
- Experience of training, coaching or supporting the development of others in the workplace
- Experience of managing and developing a project or service.
- Recruitment and performance management of staff/volunteers.
Person Specification
TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- Completion of Peer Support Worker Training
- Good standard of education with a relevant qualification AS Level, NVQ 3 or equivalent or Key Skills in Literacy and Numeracy Level 2 (or willing to achieve within 2 years) and equivalent experience of providing peer support in the mental health sector
Desirable
- Peer Support Worker supervisor training.
- Peer Leadership qualification.
- Quality Improvement Training / Qualification.
- Coaching Qualification
EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Experience of representing someone's views or advocating on their behalf
- Own personal Lived experience of mental health problems from which you have recovered
- Own personal experience of accessing acute mental health services
- Experience of using wellbeing or recovery focused tools to manage own mental health
- Experience of working within a team
- Experience of using wellbeing or recovery focused tools to support someone else in managing their mental health
- Recent experience of working in the mental health sector at band 4 or above
- Experience of supporting people in a 1:1 capacity and developing / delivering peer led recovery groups
- Experience of introducing peer support into mental health services.
- Experience of designing and delivering training and facilitating groups.
- Ability to self-manage recovery and maintain professional boundaries
- Ability to articulate peer support principles, benefits and outcomes
- Experience mentoring, coaching or supporting others using lived experience
Desirable
- Experience of having used secondary mental health services
- Experience of facilitating peer-led groups
- Experience of involvement in service development, of contributing to project development/management
- Experience of recording and reporting on service improvement initiatives in any setting
- Experience of supervising others
- Experience of recruiting others to roles in either a paid or voluntary capacity
- Experience of training, coaching or supporting the development of others in the workplace
- Experience of managing and developing a project or service.
- Recruitment and performance management of staff/volunteers.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
