Peer Practitioner

Job Description

Employer: Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
Location: Huntington House, York, YO32 9XW, United Kingdom
Service Area: York, Selby, Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale
Band: 4
Salary: £28,392 – £31,157 per year, pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Part-time
Reference: 346-NYA-125-26-A
Date Posted: 7 September 2026

About the Role

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Peer Practitioner to join its North Yorkshire & York Perinatal Mental Health Service.

The successful applicant will work with women and birthing people who are experiencing mental health difficulties during pregnancy or within the first year following childbirth. The role covers several locations, including York, Selby, Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale.

Peer Practitioners use their own relevant experiences of mental health difficulties and mental health services to provide encouragement, understanding and practical peer support to others.

The service aims to create relationships where people feel respected, listened to and accepted without judgment.

What Peer Support Means

Peer support is based on the idea that people who have experienced similar challenges can use their experiences to support one another.

In this position, you will help create supportive relationships built around:

– Trust and respect
– Empathy and compassion
– Mutual understanding
– Empowerment
– Authenticity
– Non-judgmental listening
– Recognition of individual strengths and experiences

You will be part of the wider clinical team while bringing the unique perspective that comes from lived experience.

Key Responsibilities

Your duties will include providing individual and group-based peer support to people using the service.

You may be responsible for:

– Managing a caseload and providing one-to-one peer support.
– Supporting family members and carers where appropriate.
– Helping establish and facilitate peer support groups.
– Working alongside other professionals to ensure service users’ experiences and opinions are heard.
– Bringing lived-experience knowledge into team discussions and service planning.
– Helping develop and improve the peer support service.
– Building positive links with other peer workers, organisations and community services.
– Encouraging recovery-focused approaches.
– Promoting approaches that recognise the impact of trauma.
– Supporting an environment where stigma and discrimination can be challenged.

An important part of the role will be maintaining appropriate boundaries while sharing aspects of your own experience in a way that benefits the people you support.

Training and Professional Support

New Peer Practitioners will begin the role by completing the Trust’s peer support training programme. Training is delivered by people who have their own experience of mental health challenges and have worked in peer support positions.

You will also receive regular individual and group supervision. Additional opportunities for peer networking, learning and professional development will be available throughout your employment.

Who the Trust Is Looking For

This opportunity is particularly suited to applicants who have relevant lived experience of mental health difficulties, including experiences connected with pregnancy or the period following childbirth.

Applicants should also have experience of using secondary or inpatient mental health services and should understand how lived experience can be used constructively to support others.

The Trust is looking for people who can:

– Develop respectful and supportive peer relationships.
– Listen carefully and respond with compassion.
– Communicate effectively with people from different backgrounds.
– Recognise people’s individual strengths and abilities.
– Understand the principles of trauma-informed support.
– Share appropriate aspects of personal experience while maintaining professional boundaries.
– Work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

Candidates should meet the following essential requirements:

– A Foundation Degree or equivalent qualification, or equivalent experience of providing peer support in a community or inpatient environment.
– Numeracy, literacy and ITQ Level 2 qualifications, or equivalent.
– Completion of the Trust’s Trauma Informed Peer Support Training, or willingness to complete and successfully pass the programme within the required timeframe.
– Relevant personal experience of mental health challenges or a learning disability.
– Personal experience of accessing secondary or inpatient mental health services.
– Experience of providing peer support through paid employment, voluntary work or a user-led setting.

Desirable Experience

The following would be advantageous but are not essential:

– Previous formal peer support training.
– Experience participating in supervision or co-supervision.
– Experience organising or facilitating peer support groups.

Knowledge and Skills

Successful applicants should demonstrate a strong understanding of peer support and the contribution that peer workers can make within a mental health team.

You should have an understanding of:

– Trauma-informed approaches.
– Trauma-informed peer support.
– The importance of maintaining the integrity and boundaries of a peer role.
– The needs of people from different social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
– Recovery-focused mental health support.

Strong communication and relationship-building skills are also important. You should be comfortable communicating both verbally and in writing and be able to adapt your approach to different individuals and circumstances.

Travel Requirements

Because the role covers a number of locations, applicants must be able to travel independently across the relevant locality.

Travel may also be required for Trust-wide training, peer development sessions and other work-related activities. Reasonable adjustments will be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Recruitment Process

Applicants who successfully progress will be invited to attend a recruitment day. This will provide an opportunity to learn more about the position and demonstrate your values, experience and skills.

Following the recruitment day, candidates will be shortlisted for interview.

The vacancy may close before the advertised closing date if a large number of applications are received. Applicants are therefore encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible.

Right to Work and Visa Sponsorship

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK to be appointed to this position.

The vacancy information states that this particular role does not meet the eligibility requirements for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, meaning the Trust cannot provide sponsorship for this post.

Applicants who require Skilled Worker sponsorship should therefore carefully check their eligibility before applying.

DBS Check

The successful candidate will be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This requirement applies under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions Order) 1975.

Overseas applicants may also be required to provide criminal record documentation covering countries where they have lived for the relevant period, in line with applicable UK requirements.

About Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health and learning disability services across County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

Its services range from education and prevention through to specialist and crisis care. The Trust works with patients, families, carers, communities and partner organisations to improve mental health and wellbeing across the region.

The organisation places importance on listening to people using its services and involving them in decisions about their care. It also aims to develop new approaches that improve access to appropriate mental health support within local communities.

How to Apply

Applicants should review the official job description and person specification carefully before submitting an application.

Employer: Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
Job Title: Peer Practitioner
Band: 4
Contract: Permanent, Part-time
Salary: £28,392 – £31,157 per year, pro rata
Reference Number: 346-NYA-125-26-A
Location: Huntington House, York, YO32 9XW, UK