Job summary
We are seeking a reflective and motivated Peer Support Worker to join our Adult Eating Disorders Service. This role is grounded in lived experience and involves using your own recovery journey, or experience of supporting someone with an eating disorder, in a purposeful and boundaried way to offer hope, understanding and practical support to individuals accessing care.
The post holder will support patients across the full eating disorder pathway, including outpatient treatment, inpatient admissions and transitions between services. The role is not limited to one team and requires the ability to work across service settings, Trust sites and community environments to promote continuity of care. You will work alongside multidisciplinary colleagues to support engagement, confidence, self-advocacy and reconnection with everyday life, contributing a valued peer perspective within a specialist eating disorders service.
Main duties of the job
The Peer Support Worker will use their lived experience of recovery from an eating disorder, or of supporting someone with an eating disorder, to provide meaningful, boundaried peer support to individuals receiving care within the Adult Eating Disorders Service.
- Building supportive, trusting relationships with patients through shared understanding and lived experience
- Providing peer support to individuals admitted for inpatient treatment, including supporting engagement and maintaining hope during admission
- Supporting individuals as they move between inpatient and outpatient services, helping to maintain consistency and connection
- Encouraging self-advocacy, confidence and active involvement in recovery goals
- Supporting reconnection with meaningful activities, routines and community resources
- Working collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues and contributing a valued peer perspective within care discussions
- Maintaining clear boundaries, accurate documentation and escalating concerns appropriately in line with service procedures
The role plays an important part in strengthening a recovery-focused culture within a specialist eating disorders service, ensuring that lived experience remains central to the care provided.
About us
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) is one of the largest and most respected mental health trusts in the UK, providing a wide range of specialist services locally, nationally and internationally. Our Eating Disorders Service sits within a highly regarded clinical and academic environment, working in close partnership with King's College London and as part of King's Health Partners. This collaboration places us at the forefront of evidence-based practice, research and innovation in mental health care.
We are committed to delivering safe, compassionate and recovery-focused services, and to creating an inclusive workplace where lived experience is valued. As a Peer Support Worker within our service, you will be part of a multidisciplinary team that recognises the importance of collaboration, respect and continuous learning. We offer access to professional development opportunities, structured supervision and peer support networks, alongside the chance to contribute meaningfully to the care of individuals experiencing eating disorders across the pathway.
Joining our organisation means becoming part of a service that values expertise, integrity and the contribution of lived experience in shaping high-quality care.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Peer Support Worker will deliver recovery-focused peer support within the Adult Eating Disorders Service, using lived experience to build connection, understanding and hope. The role contributes to care across inpatient and outpatient settings and supports individuals at key stages of treatment and transition as part of a multidisciplinary team.
1. Peer Support and Use of Lived Experience
- Use lived experience in a purposeful, boundaried and reflective way to build trust and rapport with patients
- Share lived experience appropriately to promote hope, reduce isolation and support engagement
- Offer a peer perspective that complements, but does not replace, clinical or therapeutic interventions
- Support individuals to feel heard, understood and empowered within services
2. Supporting Patients Across the Eating Disorder Pathway
- Support individuals receiving outpatient treatment, including engagement with appointments and care planning
- Provide peer support to individuals admitted for inpatient treatment within the Eating Disorders Service
- Support patients during transitions between inpatient and outpatient care to promote continuity and consistency
- Assist individuals to understand the structure of the service and navigate appointments, referrals and pathways
- Support patients during periods of difficulty or disengagement, encouraging re-engagement where appropriate
3. Inpatient Support
- Provide ward-based peer support to individuals during inpatient admissions
- Offer one-to-one peer conversations and practical support in line with agreed care plans
- Work alongside ward staff to ensure peer support complements existing therapeutic and nursing interventions
- Support individuals preparing for discharge and transition back into community or outpatient care
4. Community and Cross-Service Working
- Work flexibly across service teams and settings to ensure continuity of peer support
- Undertake community-based work where appropriate and agreed
- Support individuals to reconnect with meaningful activities, routines and community resources
- Build awareness of local voluntary and community organisations relevant to recovery
5. Multidisciplinary Team Working
- Work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team, respecting professional roles and boundaries
- Contribute a peer perspective within team discussions where appropriate
- Communicate effectively with colleagues to support coordinated care
- Escalate concerns regarding risk or safeguarding in line with service procedures
6. Documentation and Governance
- Maintain accurate, timely and respectful documentation in Trust systems
- Work in accordance with confidentiality, safeguarding and information governance requirements
- Follow service policies and procedures at all times
7. Professional Development and Supervision
- Engage in regular supervision with the line manager
- Participate in reflective supervision and development through the Trusts centralised Peer Support Network
- Reflect on own practice and the use of lived experience within a professional setting
- Complete mandatory training and participate in appraisal processes
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Peer Support Worker will deliver recovery-focused peer support within the Adult Eating Disorders Service, using lived experience to build connection, understanding and hope. The role contributes to care across inpatient and outpatient settings and supports individuals at key stages of treatment and transition as part of a multidisciplinary team.
1. Peer Support and Use of Lived Experience
- Use lived experience in a purposeful, boundaried and reflective way to build trust and rapport with patients
- Share lived experience appropriately to promote hope, reduce isolation and support engagement
- Offer a peer perspective that complements, but does not replace, clinical or therapeutic interventions
- Support individuals to feel heard, understood and empowered within services
2. Supporting Patients Across the Eating Disorder Pathway
- Support individuals receiving outpatient treatment, including engagement with appointments and care planning
- Provide peer support to individuals admitted for inpatient treatment within the Eating Disorders Service
- Support patients during transitions between inpatient and outpatient care to promote continuity and consistency
- Assist individuals to understand the structure of the service and navigate appointments, referrals and pathways
- Support patients during periods of difficulty or disengagement, encouraging re-engagement where appropriate
3. Inpatient Support
- Provide ward-based peer support to individuals during inpatient admissions
- Offer one-to-one peer conversations and practical support in line with agreed care plans
- Work alongside ward staff to ensure peer support complements existing therapeutic and nursing interventions
- Support individuals preparing for discharge and transition back into community or outpatient care
4. Community and Cross-Service Working
- Work flexibly across service teams and settings to ensure continuity of peer support
- Undertake community-based work where appropriate and agreed
- Support individuals to reconnect with meaningful activities, routines and community resources
- Build awareness of local voluntary and community organisations relevant to recovery
5. Multidisciplinary Team Working
- Work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team, respecting professional roles and boundaries
- Contribute a peer perspective within team discussions where appropriate
- Communicate effectively with colleagues to support coordinated care
- Escalate concerns regarding risk or safeguarding in line with service procedures
6. Documentation and Governance
- Maintain accurate, timely and respectful documentation in Trust systems
- Work in accordance with confidentiality, safeguarding and information governance requirements
- Follow service policies and procedures at all times
7. Professional Development and Supervision
- Engage in regular supervision with the line manager
- Participate in reflective supervision and development through the Trusts centralised Peer Support Network
- Reflect on own practice and the use of lived experience within a professional setting
- Complete mandatory training and participate in appraisal processes
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Good standard of education
- Ability to demonstrate interest in developing within a peer support, health, or care role
Desirable
- Degree or equivalent qualification
Experience
Essential
- Lived experience relevant to the peer support role (A)
- Ability to discuss and use lived experience appropriately, safely, and reflectively (I)
- Experience working in a health, care, or support setting (A/I)
Desirable
- Experience in mental health or eating disorder services (A/I)
- Experience working within an MDT or multi-agency setting (A/I)
Knowledge
Essential
- Clear understanding of how to safely use personal lived experience within professional boundaries (A/I)
- Working knowledge of confidentiality, safeguarding, and when to escalate concerns (A/I)
- Awareness of the emotional impact of peer support work and the importance of supervision (A/I)
- Understanding of the challenges individuals may face during recovery, including relapse and transitions (A/I)
Desirable
- Understanding of peer support principles, including mutuality and shared experience (A/I)
Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate sensitively with people who may be distressed or ambivalent (A/I)
- Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries while showing compassion and professionalism (I)
- Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team (A/I)
- Ability to use IT systems for record keeping and communication (A/I)
Desirable
- Ability to build links with community resources and promote social inclusion (A/I)
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Good standard of education
- Ability to demonstrate interest in developing within a peer support, health, or care role
Desirable
- Degree or equivalent qualification
Experience
Essential
- Lived experience relevant to the peer support role (A)
- Ability to discuss and use lived experience appropriately, safely, and reflectively (I)
- Experience working in a health, care, or support setting (A/I)
Desirable
- Experience in mental health or eating disorder services (A/I)
- Experience working within an MDT or multi-agency setting (A/I)
Knowledge
Essential
- Clear understanding of how to safely use personal lived experience within professional boundaries (A/I)
- Working knowledge of confidentiality, safeguarding, and when to escalate concerns (A/I)
- Awareness of the emotional impact of peer support work and the importance of supervision (A/I)
- Understanding of the challenges individuals may face during recovery, including relapse and transitions (A/I)
Desirable
- Understanding of peer support principles, including mutuality and shared experience (A/I)
Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate sensitively with people who may be distressed or ambivalent (A/I)
- Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries while showing compassion and professionalism (I)
- Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team (A/I)
- Ability to use IT systems for record keeping and communication (A/I)
Desirable
- Ability to build links with community resources and promote social inclusion (A/I)
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).
