Peer Support Worker
At a glance
- Band
- Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time, Part-time
- Posted
- 01/09/2026
- Closes
- 04/10/2026
Sponsorship verdict
Candidates needing sponsorship are encouraged to apply.
HiveMind found a sponsorship-friendly statement in the source advert welcoming applicants who require a visa. Always confirm on the source before applying.
“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.”Quoted verbatim from the source advert
Role summary
This role is for a Peer Support Worker with lived experience of complex emotional needs to join the Bedfordshire and Luton Complex Needs Service. The successful applicant will use their personal recovery journey to inspire hope and provide time-limited support to service users. They will work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team, sharing their story and skills to help others achieve their recovery goals. The position is based at Mountbatten House, Dunstable, requiring travel across Bedfordshire and Luton.
Essential criteria
- ELFT Accredited Peer Support Worker training
- Lived experience of recovery from distress understood as 'personality disorder' or complex emotional needs.
- Experience of using local services to embark on a journey of 'recovery'.
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team environment.
- Experience of working with people with complex emotional needs on an individual or group basis, focusing on recovery.
- Other
- Willingness and ability to travel using own or public transport between sites across Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton and occasionally, London.
- Willing to support the Trust's commitment to research, clinical governance, clinical audit and clinical Assurance.
- Knowledge and Skills
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge, lived experience and understanding of challenges associated with 'personality disorder' or complex emotional needs
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the concept of personal recovery as it may apply to others
- Knowledge and commitment to service users rights, involvement and service-user led initiatives
- Understanding and practical knowledge of recovery approaches
- Knowledge of Trauma Informed Practice
- Ability and willingness to participate in quality improvement projects and activities
- Understanding of the importance of equality and diversity
- Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) relevant to the legal requirements of client care and related issues and the documentation of that care.
- Ability to deal with highly stressful situations arising with service users, carers and staff
- Ability to recognise own limits and seek appropriate support and supervision
- Education/Qualification/Training
- ELFT Accredited Peer Support Worker training
- Lived experience of recovery from distress understood as 'personality disorder' or complex emotional needs.
- Experience of using local services to embark on a journey of 'recovery'.
- Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team environment.
- Experience of working with people with complex emotional needs on an individual or group basis, focusing on recovery.
- Other
- Willingness and ability to travel using own or public transport between sites across Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton and occasionally, London.
- Willing to support the Trust's commitment to research, clinical governance, clinical audit and clinical Assurance.
- Knowledge and Skills
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge, lived experience and understanding of challenges associated with 'personality disorder' or complex emotional needs
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the concept of personal recovery as it may apply to others
- Knowledge and commitment to service users rights, involvement and service-user led initiatives
- Understanding and practical knowledge of recovery approaches
- Knowledge of Trauma Informed Practice
- Ability and willingness to participate in quality improvement projects and activities
- Understanding of the importance of equality and diversity
- Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) relevant to the legal requirements of client care and related issues and the documentation of that care.
- Ability to deal with highly stressful situations arising with service users, carers and staff
- Ability to recognise own limits and seek appropriate support and supervision
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 6d ago · Closes in 28d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
East London NHS Foundation Trust
Peer Support Worker
The closing date is 04 October 2026
Job summary
ELFT are excited to be advertising for a Peer Support Worker with lived experience of 'complex emotional needs' (often diagnosed as 'personality disorder') to join the countywide Bedfordshire and Luton Complex Needs Service. Our service aims to work with service users, colleagues, and carers to establish a learning culture that improves the care and treatment for people with complex emotional needs and their families/carers in the community. The successful applicant will use their lived experience of 'complex emotional needs' and local services to demonstrate that recovery is achievable. They will share their story of recovery in a way that conveys a sense of connection, hope and optimism to those who are earlier on in their journeys or experiencing challenging times, and will provide time-limited support to enable service users to progress towards their own recovery goals. The successful applicant will be well supported by colleagues in the Complex Needs Service and the Peer Support Lead. This post will be based at Mountbatten House, Dunstable and the post-holder will be required to travel to CMHT bases, inpatient units and other sites across Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Luton.
*Please note: It is important that your application evidences your lived experienc
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