About this role
Job summary
We are excited to offer an opportunity for a passionate and motivated individual to join our Community CAMHS North team as a Peer Support Worker. This is a rewarding role where you will use your own lived experience of mental health challenges or services to provide hope, empathy, and practical support to children, young people, and their families. You will work as a valued member of a multidisciplinary team, helping to promote recovery, resilience, and meaningful engagement with services, while contributing to the development of person-centred care within CAMHS.
Role Purpose:
The post holder will work as a Peer Support Worker within Community CAMHS, providing emotional and practical support to children and young people accessing the service. Drawing on their lived experience of mental health challenges, the post holder will support young people in their recovery, helping them to build resilience, develop coping strategies, and identify their strengths.
Through the development of positive and trusting relationships, the post holder will promote engagement with services and contribute to a person-centred approach to care. They will also support the involvement of children and young people in shaping their care and contributing to service improvement, ensuring their voices are heard and valued.
The post holder will work collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team, operating within clearly defined boundaries and under appropriate supervision.
Main duties of the job
Role Context:
The post holder will work as part of the Community CAMHS North team, one of three locality teams providing services across Bassetlaw, Newark, and Sherwood. The team operates within a multidisciplinary framework, working collaboratively with a range of professionals to support children, young people, and their families.
This is a community-based role, with work taking place across a variety of settings including clinics, family homes, schools, and other local environments. The post holder will operate under the supervision of qualified practitioners, contributing to the delivery of care plans and supporting engagement with services.
The role involves regular interaction with children, young people, families, carers, and partner agencies. It requires the ability to build effective working relationships, communicate sensitively, and contribute to a coordinated approach to care.
In addition to direct support, the post holder will contribute to the ongoing development of the service by supporting the involvement and participation of children and young people, ensuring their views inform service improvement.
All duties will be carried out in accordance with Trust policies and procedures, with particular regard to safeguarding, confidentiality, equality, diversity, and inclusion.
About us
#TeamNottsHC comprises over 11,000 dedicated colleagues who #MakeADifference every day. We deliver intellectual disability, mental health, community health, forensic, and offender healthcare services across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire. Our care is provided from over 200 sites, spanning community locations, acute settings, and secure environments, including prisons.
We are one of the largest mental health and community Trusts in the East Midlands and one of Nottinghamshire's biggest employers. We also host national and regional services, such as the National High Secure Deaf Service and the Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health.
We offer a variety of employee-led staff networks, including Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) groups, the Green Champions network, the Freedom to Speak Up network, the Health and Wellbeing Champions network, and the Menopause Champions network. These networks play a vital role in supporting our diverse workforce and promoting a culture of inclusivity.
The health and wellbeing of colleagues is a top priority. We invest significantly in this through our in-house occupational health and staff counselling services, supported by a dedicated Health and Wellbeing team.
Job description Job responsibilities
Clinical / Service Delivery
Provide emotional support and practical guidance to children and young people accessing CAMHS.Use lived experience appropriately to build trusting, positive relationships and promote recovery.Support young people to identify strengths, coping strategies, and personal goals.Assist in improving engagement with CAMHS appointments and interventions.Work within defined care plans under the supervision of registered practitioners.Work within safeguarding frameworks, ensuring all concerns are reported appropriately and without delay.Remain vigilant to changes in the presentation, behaviour, or emotional wellbeing of children and young people, and recognise potential indicators of risk.
Communication and Engagement
Develop effective working relationships with children, young people, families, and carers.Communicate in a sensitive, age-appropriate, and non-judgemental manner.Act as an advocate for young people where appropriate.Contribute to multidisciplinary team discussions as required.Promptly communicate and escalate any concerns relating to risk or safeguarding to a qualified practitioner in line with Trust policies and procedures.
Service Improvement and Participation
Support the collection and representation of feedback from children and young people.Participate in service improvement initiatives to enhance experience and accessibility.Promote co-production and ensure the voice of young people informs service delivery.
Documentation and Record Keeping
Maintain accurate and timely records in line with Trust policy.Ensure documentation reflects contacts and interventions appropriately.
Professional Responsibilities
Work within professional boundaries and always maintain confidentiality.Engage in regular supervision and reflective practice.Undertake relevant training and development opportunities.To attend and participate in team meetings.Adhere to Trust policies, safeguarding procedures, and professional standards.
General Duties
Maintain awareness of safeguarding responsibilities and escalate concerns appropriately.Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of the role.Contribute to a positive and supportive team culture.
Please refer to the job description and person specification for full details.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is £26.40 (standard) or £54.40 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first 2 months of employment.
You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of £16 per year applies.
Successful applicants with no prior NHS experience would normally be placed at the bottom of the band in line with Agenda for Change. This salary is below the minimum salary required for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker / Health & Care visa. In these circumstances the Trust would not, therefore, be able to sponsor for a Skilled Worker / Health & Care visa.
Applicants requiring a Skilled Worker Visa can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship against the relevant criteria here https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and Maths at Grade 4/C Evidence of relevant training or willingness to undertake training.
Desirable
NVQ/Diploma Level 2/3 in Health & Social Care or relevant field. Training in mental health awareness or youth work.
Experience Essential
Lived experience of mental health challenges (direct or as a carer), with ability to use this constructively within the role. Experience of working or volunteering with children, young people, or vulnerable groups. Experience of working as part of a team
Desirable
Experience within a health, social care, or voluntary sector setting. Experience of supporting individuals with mental health needs
Knowledge Essential
Understanding of the challenges affecting young people's mental health and wellbeing. Awareness of recovery principles and person-centred approaches. Basic understanding of confidentiality and safeguarding.
Desirable
Knowledge of CAMHS services and pathways. Awareness of local community support services.
Skills Essential
Ability to build rapport and establish trusting relationships with young people. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. Ability to share lived experience appropriately and sensitively. Ability to work within boundaries and follow guidance from senior staff. Good organisational skills and ability to manage time effectively.
Desirable
Ability to facilitate group or peer support sessions. Good IT skills for recording and communication.
Contractual Essential
Ability to work flexibly and across the local area as required to meet service needs. A full UK driving license and vehicle for business use is required for this post; however reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled individuals in line with the Equality Act 2010.
Physical Requirements Essential
Able to undertake training in the management of violence reduction. Has the ability to perform the full range of professional duties.
Values and Behaviours Essential
All colleagues are expected to demonstrate that they act in line with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Values: Trust Honesty Respect Compassion Teamwork All colleagues are expected to demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and how it applies to their role. The Trust's expectations are highlighted within our EDI Policy, and associated EDI and Human Rights legislation.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details Employer name Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Address Community
North Nottinghamshire
NG243HJ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)