Peer Specialist - The Retreat West
At a glance
- Band
- Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time, Part-time
- Posted
- 05/09/2026
- Closes
- 20/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
This advert explicitly states that sponsorship is not offered.
The source advert contains explicit wording ruling out sponsorship for this specific role. Consider other live roles at the same band from sponsorship-friendly trusts.
“Please note visa sponsorship for this role is unfortunately not available. Please ensure you hold valid right to work in the UK and will not require sponsorship if successful.”Quoted verbatim from the source advert
Role summary
This role is for a compassionate Peer Specialist to support individuals experiencing mental health crises at The Retreats in Weymouth or Bournemouth. You will use your personal lived experience to inspire hope and guide others, working alongside Registered Practitioners. The service operates every evening, providing a safe space for support without referral. You will provide practical support and peer-led guidance to help visitors regain control and navigate challenging moments, fostering trust and promoting self-determination. Comprehensive induction and specialist training, including trauma-informed care, will be provided.
Essential criteria
- Own lived experience of mental health, with willingness and ability to intentionally and appropriately share this in support of others.
- Peer Specialist training programme completed or willingness to undertake.
Desirable criteria
- Recovery Education Centre courses or equivalent attended in last 5 years.
- Job specific experience
- Experience supporting people experiencing distress
- Previous working in a mental health, or care setting.
- Information Technology
- Demonstrable experience of computer literacy and Office based applications.
- Experience using an electronic patient records system.
- Personal qualities/attributes
- Able to work effectively as part of a team
- Demonstrate compassionate and non-judgemental response to people in distress /crisis
- Additional requirements
- Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively.
- Knowledge and Skills
- Own lived experience of mental health, with willingness and ability to intentionally and appropriately share this in support of others.
- Peer Specialist training programme completed or willingness to undertake.
- Recovery Education Centre courses or equivalent attended in last 5 years.
- Job specific experience
- Experience supporting people experiencing distress
- Previous working in a mental health, or care setting.
- Information Technology
- Demonstrable experience of computer literacy and Office based applications.
- Experience using an electronic patient records system.
- Personal qualities/attributes
- Able to work effectively as part of a team
- Demonstrate compassionate and non-judgemental response to people in distress /crisis
- Additional requirements
- Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively.
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 3 at £24,625 – £25,674 a year, across England.
This advert: £25,760 – £27,476 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 2d ago · Closes in 14d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
Peer Specialist - The Retreat West
The closing date is 20 September 2026
Job summary
We are seeking compassionate, dedicated Peer Specialists ready to use their personal journey to inspire hope and guide others through self-defined mental health crisis.
The Retreats - based in Weymouth and Bournemouth offer an open access crisis mental health service every evening; providing a welcoming, safe space for people to come and receive support, without referral or judgement.
The partnership between lived and clinical experience is fundamental to the ethos and values of the Retreats, and you will work alongside Registered Practitioners in this role. As a vital member of our team, you will provide practical support and peer-led guidance to help visitors and their support networks regain control and hope while navigating challenging moments and moving forward in their recovery. By sharing your lived experience, you will foster trust, hope and promote self-determination.
You'll receive comprehensive induction and specialist training, including trauma-informed care and collaborative working practices, to ensure you can use your experience to create real, lasting impact.
**Full and part time hours are available (minimum 15 hours or 2 shifts per week). The service operates 365 days of the year, and whilst all reasonable flexible
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