Oxford Health NHS Trust

Forensic Peer Support Worker - Woodlands House - Aylesbury

The closing date is 29 June 2025

Job summary

Do you have lived experience of mental health problems and/or Forensic Services/the Criminal Justice System and want to use your recovery journey to support other people facing similar challenges?

We are recruiting for a Peer Support Worker at Woodlands House, a men's low secure Forensic unit situated adjacent to the Whiteleaf Centre in Aylesbury.

Peer Support Workers (PSWs) are people who have their own lived experience of mental health challenges. They use empathy informed by their own experiences to support service users and families who are accessing mental health services.

If this sounds like you, read on to find out how you can join our Forensic Services team and make a real difference to our patients and their recovery journey!

This role includes an RSU allowance of £1,446 per annum on top of your salary

Main duties of the job

We are recruiting for a Peer Support Worker at Woodlands House, a 20-bed male low-secure ward in Aylesbury. We work to support our patients to increase their independence in the community, and their confidence in their daily living skills.

The core function of this role is to offer peer support to patients at Woodlands House. Peer Support Workers model the recovery principles (hope, opportunity, control) in their practice, together with personal responsibility, self-awareness and self-care whilst undertaking the duties of the role.

The Peer Support Worker role sees the introduction of lived experience into everyday practice. We are looking for an individual who can draw appropriately on their lived experience of mental health challenges and/or the Criminal Justice System/Forensic Services to provide peer support to the group of service users at Woodlands House and promote their recovery.

Peer Support Workers offer a combination of one to one and group work and will work within the multi-disciplinary team to support a service user's recovery journey. We're looking for someone who is compassionate, can work well in a team, highly motivated and have good verbal communication skills. You will be provided with specific Peer Support Worker training and will complete the nationally recognised care certificate in this role.

About us

Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the "candidate guide to making an application" and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.

As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are: "Caring, safe and excellent"

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

o Excellent opportunities for career progressiono Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and developmento 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous serviceo NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailerso Competitive pension schemeo Lease car schemeo Cycle to work schemeo Employee Assistance Programmeo Mental Health First Aiderso Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists apply)o Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Date posted

13 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year plus an RSU allowance of £1,446 per annum | pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

267-FS7254512

Job locations

Woodlands House, Whiteleaf Centre hospital site

Bierton Road

Aylesbury

HP20 1EG

Job description

Job responsibilities

Drawing on lived experience of mental health challenges and/or the Criminal Justice System/Forensic services to provide emotional and practical support to an allocated group of service users to promote their recovery.
Drawing upon lived experience and using active listening to inspire hope, offer empathy, empowerment, confidence building and validate a service users feelings
To build relationships that are founded on the values of reciprocity and mutuality which will facilitate the provision of regular and practical support, both one to one and via group work
To positively promote independent living of service users through role-modelling individual recovery journeys
To have the individual service users needs always at the forefront of the Peer Support Worker's practice and to use the skills incorporated in the Peer Support Training to underpin their practice
To build rapport with service users, whilst maintaining professional boundaries, drawing on both experience and knowledge of the service user perspective and an evidence-based approach.

Please refer to the job description and guidance notes attached for further information on this role. It is important that you read the 'Things to consider before applying for a PSW role' document attached before making an application.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Drawing on lived experience of mental health challenges and/or the Criminal Justice System/Forensic services to provide emotional and practical support to an allocated group of service users to promote their recovery.
Drawing upon lived experience and using active listening to inspire hope, offer empathy, empowerment, confidence building and validate a service users feelings
To build relationships that are founded on the values of reciprocity and mutuality which will facilitate the provision of regular and practical support, both one to one and via group work
To positively promote independent living of service users through role-modelling individual recovery journeys
To have the individual service users needs always at the forefront of the Peer Support Worker's practice and to use the skills incorporated in the Peer Support Training to underpin their practice
To build rapport with service users, whilst maintaining professional boundaries, drawing on both experience and knowledge of the service user perspective and an evidence-based approach.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

The ability to offer specialist support using their personal experience of recovery
To have experience of working within a supportive and enabling role

Personal qualities

Essential

Able to use own initiative when appropriate
The ability to develop and maintain sound working relationships with all members of the multidisciplinary team

Knowledge/Qualifciations

Desirable

Knowledge of mental health conditions

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

The ability to offer specialist support using their personal experience of recovery
To have experience of working within a supportive and enabling role

Personal qualities

Essential

Able to use own initiative when appropriate
The ability to develop and maintain sound working relationships with all members of the multidisciplinary team

Knowledge/Qualifciations

Desirable

Knowledge of mental health conditions

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.