Senior Peer Support Worker
At a glance
- Band
- Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Part-time
- Posted
- 10/09/2026
- Closes
- 16/09/2026
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 Senior Peer Support Worker role is within the Tower Hamlets Community Psychology team, focusing on strengthening community resources and providing accessible, client-centred services. The post holder will use their lived experience of mental distress and previous experience as a Peer Support Worker to inspire hope and support service users in their recovery journey. Key responsibilities include leading and developing peer support services, co-producing training, and establishing links within the local community. The role involves working with various stakeholders to co-develop recovery-focused interventions.
Essential criteria
- ELFT Accredited Peer Support Worker Training (by Royal College of Psychiatrist) or equivalent
- A willingness to undertake further training and/or qualifications as necessary for the post.
- Commitment to obtain underpinning knowledge through work based learning and mandatory training
Desirable criteria
- NVQ3 in health and social care or equivalent experience.
- Lived experience of mental health and accessing services
- Significant experience of working as a Peer Support Worker in an Adult Mental Health setting
- Experience working with community or third sector organisations
- Awareness of local services and community organisations in Tower Hamlets
- Ability to demonstrate an understanding of mental health issues.
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team and with Clinical Psychologists
- Experience of supervising others
- Experience of facilitating reflective practice
- Can speak one of the local languages (Somali or Bengali Sylheti dialect)
- Knowledge and Skills
- A sound knowledge of good practice in Peer Support Work
- Detailed knowledge of the borough of Tower Hamlets, including connections and links to external partner organisations.
- Ability to use IT packages competently, such as email, Word processing, spreadsheets using Excel and presentation packages.
- Demonstrate broad understanding of the principles of recovery
- Evidence of good interpersonal skills and an ability to form peer relationships with service users and carers.
- Ability to appreciate / understand other people's experiences.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Cultural awareness including awareness of the potential impact of discrimination & disadvantage on mental health.
- Ability to demonstrate an understanding of mental health issues.
- Ability to co-produce new information resources to promote emerging projects.
- Demonstrate knowledge of conducting audits, survey's and consultations.
- Able to demonstrate understanding of Intentional Peer Support.
- Education
- ELFT Accredited Peer Support Worker Training (by Royal College of Psychiatrist) or equivalent
- A willingness to undertake further training and/or qualifications as necessary for the post.
- Commitment to obtain underpinning knowledge through work based learning and mandatory training
- NVQ3 in health and social care or equivalent experience.
- Lived experience of mental health and accessing services
- Significant experience of working as a Peer Support Worker in an Adult Mental Health setting
- Experience working with community or third sector organisations
- Awareness of local services and community organisations in Tower Hamlets
- Ability to demonstrate an understanding of mental health issues.
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team and with Clinical Psychologists
- Experience of supervising others
- Experience of facilitating reflective practice
- Can speak one of the local languages (Somali or Bengali Sylheti dialect)
- Knowledge and Skills
- A sound knowledge of good practice in Peer Support Work
- Detailed knowledge of the borough of Tower Hamlets, including connections and links to external partner organisations.
- Ability to use IT packages competently, such as email, Word processing, spreadsheets using Excel and presentation packages.
- Demonstrate broad understanding of the principles of recovery
- Evidence of good interpersonal skills and an ability to form peer relationships with service users and carers.
- Ability to appreciate / understand other people's experiences.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Cultural awareness including awareness of the potential impact of discrimination & disadvantage on mental health.
- Ability to demonstrate an understanding of mental health issues.
- Ability to co-produce new information resources to promote emerging projects.
- Demonstrate knowledge of conducting audits, survey's and consultations.
- Able to demonstrate understanding of Intentional Peer Support.
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 4 at £26,530 – £29,114 a year, across England.
This advert: £34,186 – £37,389 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 1d ago · Closes in 6d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
East London NHS Foundation Trust
Senior Peer Support Worker
The closing date is 16 September 2026
Job summary
he Tower Hamlets Community Psychology team work in partnership with local voluntary, community, and faith-based organisations. We aim to build on and strengthen community resources and are committed to providing accessible, client-centred, culturally and faith sensitive services.
The role of Senior Peer Support Worker within the team has been developed specifically for people who have lived experience of mental distress and of using mental health services, know and understand the value of working with communities, as well as significant previous experience as a Peer Support Worker (PSW). Through sharing their own experiences and helping to identify the strengths in others, Peer Support Workers will inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible in others.
Main duties of the job
The role will provide formalised peer support and practical assistance to local communities and service users in order for them to regain control over their lives and their own unique recovery process. Within a relationship of mutuality and information sharing, they will promote choice, self-determination and opportunities for the fulfilment of personally valued roles and connection to local communities. The Senior Peer Support Worker will lead and develop the Peer Support S
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