Peer Support Worker - Bank Band 3

Job Summary

We have been awarded funding from NHS charities Together Innovation Challenge Round 2 for an exciting new 18‑month creative programme designed to support children and young people on the CAMHS waiting list in Wakefield District. The programme delivers creative health sessions, activities and resources that help children and young people develop an understanding of how creative health can support communication, recovery, wellbeing and resilience.

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the West Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, and we employ staff in both clinical and non‑clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

• Work with children and young people (aged 13‑16) who have previously accessed CAMHS services, ensuring programme content and activities are relevant, accessible and engaging.
• Facilitate creative co‑design workshops, empowering participants to share their views on how services can be improved.
• Provide written reports and keep records of workshop outcomes and feedback.
• Safely facilitate workshops and support a service user‑led project, preserving the voice of experience throughout planning, design and delivery.
• Work outside normal office hours; workshops may take place after school and in the evenings.
• Travel to various locations within Wakefield District based on the needs of participants.
• Provide input to the wider project team (VCSE, NHS and other staff) to ensure the needs of children and young people remain central.

• GCSE A‑D or grade 3‑9 in Maths and English, or equivalent.
• Apprenticeship level 3 (or equivalent) in Peer Support/Working, or willingness to progress to this level.
• Care Certificate, or the ability to achieve it within 12 weeks of appointment.
• Willingness to undertake further training in peer support development.

• QCF Diploma in Health & Social Care Level 3, or equivalent experience.
• Mental Health Awareness Training or Mental Health First Aid Training.
• Completion of own Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) or whole life plan.

• Lived experience of mental health services, with the ability to reflect on personal recovery.
• Experience in facilitating groups or chairing meetings.
• Experience of working in a team or group environment.
• Experience of supporting the development of services and partnership working.
• Information management skills, including data collection and organisation.

• Experience in public sector work.
• Customer care or office/administrative experience.
• Emotional maturity and flexibility.
• Sense of humour, enthusiasm and tenacity.

• Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day (reasonable adjustments considered).
• Strong organisational and time‑management skills.
• Effective communication skills, verbal, non‑verbal and written.
• Ability to work independently, within a team and under pressure.
• Self‑motivated, enthusiastic and ethically driven, committed to the Trust’s values.
• Recovery/strengths focused and respectful, non‑judgmental, compassionate.

• Emotional maturity and life experience.
• Adaptability and flexibility.
• Sense of humour, energy, drive and tenacity.
• Patient, quick learner and team player.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a Disclosure and Barring Service check shall be required.

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
Fieldhead Hospital, Ouchthorpe Lane, Wakefield WF1 3SP
, West Yorkshire

Posted: 14 January 2026
Band:
Band 3 – £24,937 to £26,598 per year

Contract:

Bank (365 days), flexible working pattern

Employer website: