About this role
Job summary
As part of our continued commitment to student mental health and wellbeing across Birmingham's universities, we are looking to strengthen our existing University Peer Support Worker provision.
The University Peer Support Service is a pioneering partnership between Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and local universities, providing non-clinical, lived experience support to students navigating emotional distress, mental health challenges, neurodiversity, and periods of transition during their studies between services.
The service provides short-term, person-centred support, working collaboratively with students, university wellbeing teams, NHS services, and wider community partners. This includes support during key transition points such as returning to study, taking leave of absence, managing anxiety, or accessing appropriate services for the first time.
Peer Support Workers bring a unique and invaluable perspective, using their own lived experience of mental health challenges, recovery, higher education pressures, or navigating support systems, to offer hope, connection, and practical support.
We are seeking a compassionate and motivated Peer Support Worker to join our University Peer Support Service. This role is designed for people with lived experience who want to use their experience to support students facing challenges, inspire hope, and help shape a more inclusive and responsive mental health system within higher education.
Main duties of the job
Provide one-to-one peer support to students experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, neurodiversity-related difficulties, or periods of transition during university life. Use lived experience appropriately to build trust, inspire hope, and model recovery-focused approaches. Support students to identify goals, strengths, coping strategies, and practical next steps to improve wellbeing and resilience. Work collaboratively with university wellbeing services, NHS teams, academic staff, and community organisations to ensure joined-up support where appropriate. Assist students to access relevant services, resources, groups, and opportunities both within the university and wider community. Provide support to students during key transition points, including starting university, returning from leave of absence, or preparing to leave university. Facilitate or co-facilitate peer support groups, workshops, drop-ins, or wellbeing sessions on relevant themes such as anxiety, belonging, confidence, and self-management. Maintain accurate and timely records in line with service policies, confidentiality, information governance, and safeguarding procedures. Contribute to the ongoing development of the University Peer Support Service through feedback, service improvement ideas, and participation in meetings or training. Promote equality, inclusion, and culturally responsive support for students from diverse backgrounds.
About us
Welcome to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Our 4000 clinical and support staff help us to improve mental health wellbeing and meet the needs of the 70,000 people we serve each year. We provide a range of mental healthcare services across Birmingham and Solihull, as well as specialised services nationally. We also offer medical, nursing and psychology training and are proud of our international reputation for both research and innovation.
Our population is culturally diverse, characterised in places by high levels of deprivation which create an increasing demand for our services and a necessity for us to make sure everyone can access the help they need. We are a team of compassionate, inclusive and committed people working together to provide excellent care to support our community. If you are looking for a place to belong, where you can make a real difference to people's lives, join our team where our warm welcome is waiting for you.
Job description Job responsibilities
For further information about the main responsibilities please view the attached job description and person specification.
We highly recommend you submit your application as soon as possible, this post may close earlier than the indicated closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received.
We are unable to support applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work the United Kingdom (UK)
Person Specification
Training and Qualifications Essential
Lived experience of learning disability, autism, mental health challenges, or of caring for someone with these experiences. Satisfactory level of Secondary education to GCSE English A-C grade or 9-4 grade or equivalent (may be working toward this).
Desirable
Understanding of health inequalities in Birmingham Accredited peer support training
Experience Essential
Personal or carer experience of navigating crisis and/or support services. Experience of providing informal support, mentoring, or advocacy. Experience in using personal experience to support others and demonstrate empathy
Desirable
Experience of being a student or supporting university students Experience of co-production, service user involvement, or community engagement. Experience of group facilitation or peer support delivery.
Skills and Knowledge Essential
Knowledge of learning disability, autism and mental health. Commitment to person-centred, inclusive practice. Enthusiasm for service development and continuous learning. Respect for dignity, equality, and rights. Compassionate, respectful, and non-judgemental. Commitment to inclusion, co-production, and equality. Reliability, adaptability, and openness to learning. Willingness to reflect and develop through supervision Competent at using IT software
Desirable
Basic knowledge of Positive Behavioural Support and recovery principles. Awareness of safeguarding principles.
Personal qualities Essential
Able to work as a member of a team Awareness of personal strengths and limitations Able to meet the travel requirements of the role
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 Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Address city wide- Home base Finch Road
Birmingham
B191HS
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.bsmhft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)