Job summary
- Main area
- Peer Support Worker
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 376-NLCCGAO-0185
- Employer
- Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- St Nicholas House
- Town
- Scunthorpe
- Salary
- £26,299.62 - £27,476 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 18/10/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 26/10/2026
Employer heading
Neurodiversity Peer Support Worker - Apprenticeship Opportunity
NHS AfC: Band 3
Job overview
Are you neurodivergent, or do you have lived experience of navigating neurodevelopmental services for yourself or a family member?
We are looking for compassionate, motivated and enthusiastic Peer Support Workers to join our growing Children's Neurodevelopmental Service. This is an exciting opportunity to use your lived experience to support children, young people and families accessing our neurodevelopmental pathways.
As a Peer Support Worker, you will work alongside clinicians, families and partner agencies to provide practical, strengths-based and neuroaffirming support. You will help children and young people develop confidence, self-understanding and self-advocacy skills, while supporting them through important life and educational transitions.
If you don't already have a Level 3 qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant subject, RDaSH are offering this post alongside the opportunity for you to complete a Level 3 apprenticeship qualification [relevant to your role].
As an apprentice within RDaSH you will be given the opportunity to gain experience, learn work-related skills and obtain all the tools needed to thrive.
An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. Around 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying. This leads to a nationally recognised qualification.
Main duties of the job
· Build supportive and trusting relationships with children, young people and families.
· Share your lived experience in a purposeful and professional way to inspire hope and confidence.
· Support children and young people to understand their strengths, needs and preferences.
· Help develop communication passports, self-advocacy tools and practical strategies.
· Support engagement with appointments and services.
· Provide information, signposting and practical support.
· Work collaboratively with schools, health professionals, community organisations and families.
· Contribute to service improvement and co-production activities.
Working for our organisation
Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) employ around 4000 talented colleagues who are very much appreciated, valued, and respected.
We have a wide portfolio which includes mental health, physical health, learning disability and drug and alcohol services.
We are dedicated to the development of our our people and hold a learning half day every month for our colleagues.
We are passionate about enhancing the quality of our service and we work hard to attract and select the right colleagues for our organisation. Our goal is to employ those who share our passion for providing first class care while remaining committed to our vision and values. Please view our Strategy using the link below:
https://www.rdash.nhs.uk/documents/clinical-and-organisational-strategy-2023-to-2028/
To find out more about working for RDaSH and the fantastic benefits we offer visit our website:
https://www.rdash.nhs.uk/about-us/getting-involved/work-with-us/
We are committed to inclusive cultures and really value people in our organisation, view our Allyship video on YouTube to find out more:
The main terms and conditions of service can be found here:
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Before applying, please view the attached job description and person specification to view the full details about the role.
****If you are applying for this role via the apprenticeship route, please review the attached eligibility document to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria to undertake an apprenticeship****
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if there are a high amount of applications
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- A good standard of general education, including functional literacy and numeracy, or equivalent demonstrable skills.
- English and Maths at level 2 or equivalent (GCSE 9-4 or A*- C or functional skills level 2)
- NVQ Level 2 in a related subject
- NVQ level 3 in related subject or willingness to undertake a relevant Level 3 Apprenticeship
- Willingness and ability to complete Trust mandatory training and role-specific peer support, safeguarding, boundaries, recordkeeping and information governance training.
Desirable criteria
- Relevant qualification in peer support, health, social care, youth work, education, community development or coaching.
- Completed recognised peer-support training.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Personal lived experience of neurodivergence and the ability to use this experience safely, purposefully and professionally for the benefit of others.
- Experience of receiving, seeking or navigating support related to neurodivergence, whether through health, education, employment or community services.
- Experience of supporting, encouraging, mentoring or enabling others in a formal, voluntary, community or informal capacity.
- Experience of working collaboratively with others and of completing agreed tasks independently.
- Experience of supporting children, young people or families.
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working in health, social care, education, employment support, youth, community or voluntary services.
- Experience of co production, service-user involvement, training, presentation or community engagement.
- Experience of working across organisational or cultural boundaries.
- Experience of navigating education, SEND, children’s health or community support systems.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Practical understanding of neurodivergence, identity, strengths, support needs and the potential impact of diagnosis or self identification.
- Understanding of neuroaffirming, strengths-based and rights-based approaches.
- Understanding of the purpose and boundaries of peer support and the difference between peer support and clinical care.
- Awareness of how communication, sensory needs, executive functioning, change, stigma and environmental demands may affect participation and wellbeing.
- Basic understanding of confidentiality, consent, safeguarding, professional boundaries, equality and inclusion.
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of community resources and partner organisations relevant to the age group.
- Understanding of reasonable adjustments and relevant transitions for the role.
- Knowledge of local neurodevelopmental pathways and service delivery priorities.
Skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to share selected aspects of personal lived experience in a thoughtful, boundaried and purposeful way.
- Strong listening and relationship-building skills and the ability to communicate with people using a range of styles and formats.
- Ability to work in a calm, respectful and non-judgemental manner and to maintain hope when others are distressed or frustrated.
- Ability to support people to identify their own goals and choices without taking over, directing or creating dependence
- Ability to recognise concerns, remain within role boundaries and escalate promptly.
- Ability to write clear, factual and proportionate records and to maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to use email, Microsoft Word, Teams and electronic systems, with training where required.
- Ability to plan and prioritise allocated work, manage time, attend reliably and ask for support when needed.
- Capacity for self reflection, openness to feedback and ability to use supervision to maintain safe practice and personal wellbeing.
- Ability to develop accessible resources and contribute creatively to service improvement.
Desirable criteria
- Presentation or facilitation skills
- Ability to use spreadsheets, digital design tools or online engagement platforms.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Marianne Smith
- Job title
- Consultant Clinical Psychologist
- Email address
- [email protected]
List jobs with Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust in Support Services or all sectors