Peer Support Worker
At a glance
- Band
- Band 3
- Contract
- Fixed-term
- Pattern
- Part-time
- Posted
- 11/09/2026
- Closes
- 25/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
This contract type is not eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
NHS Trusts cannot issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for part-time, bank, locum, zero-hours, job-share or short fixed-term (under 12 months) contracts under current Home Office rules. This applies even when the wider Trust holds a Skilled Worker licence.
Role summary
This role involves supporting individuals with lived experience of the criminal justice system as they navigate police custody, court, and prison. You will manage a caseload, helping service users access vital support for their health, wellbeing, and future, including mental health, housing, and substance misuse services. The position requires building strong relationships with service users, their families, and various partner agencies to ensure comprehensive support. You will use your own lived experience to guide and assist others in their recovery journey.
Essential criteria
- Lived experience of the criminal justice system a minimum of being arrested and taken into police custody and demonstratable recovery of a minimum of 1 year of no longer being in-contact with criminal justice system.
- Required to demonstrate a recovery capital and period of desistance 1-3yrs from using substance (inc alcohol) and a minimum of one year completing any licence conditions/requirements.
Desirable criteria
- Having direct lived experience of recovery from substance misuse, mental health or other vulnerabilities.
- Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Willingness to share personal experiences in an appropriate way and maintain clear boundaries
- Empathy, patience, and sensitivity to be able to support people whilst maintaining boundaries.
- Willingness to seek support and guidance.
- Additional Requirements
- To be a UK citizen or have the right to remain status.
- Flexibility to travel to all sites.
- Previous Experience
- Lived experience of the criminal justice system a minimum of being arrested and taken into police custody and demonstratable recovery of a minimum of 1 year of no longer being in-contact with criminal justice system.
- Required to demonstrate a recovery capital and period of desistance 1-3yrs from using substance (inc alcohol) and a minimum of one year completing any licence conditions/requirements.
- Having direct lived experience of recovery from substance misuse, mental health or other vulnerabilities.
- Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Willingness to share personal experiences in an appropriate way and maintain clear boundaries
- Empathy, patience, and sensitivity to be able to support people whilst maintaining boundaries.
- Willingness to seek support and guidance.
- Additional Requirements
- To be a UK citizen or have the right to remain status.
- Flexibility to travel to all sites.
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 1d ago · Closes in 14d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
Peer Support Worker
The closing date is 25 September 2026
Job summary
Are you passionate about helping people and making a real difference? Have you experienced the criminal justice system yourself and want to use that experience to support others?
We're looking for a motivated and compassionate person with lived experience of the criminal justice system to join our Liaison and Diversion team part-time. You'll play an important role in supporting people as they move through police custody, court and prison, helping them access the support they need to improve their health, wellbeing and future.
You'll use your lived experience to manage a caseload of people using our service, supporting them for up to 12 weeks for 'Liaison and Diversion' cases and up to 6 months for 'Reconnect' cases.
You'll work alongside each person to understand what's important to them and help them access services that meet their needs. This may include support with; Mental health, Learning disabilities, Neurodiversity, Housing, Social isolation, Education and training, Drug and alcohol support and Employment.
Building positive relationships is a key part of the role. You'll work closely with service users, their families, police, courts and a range of partner organisations to ensure people receive joined-up support.
Main duties of the job
- To hold
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