Oxford Health NHS Trust

Forensic Peer Support Worker - Lambourn House

The closing date is 03 May 2026

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 Lambourn House, a pre-discharge unit on the Littlemore site, as part of our Forensic mental health services at Oxford Health.

Peer Support Workers (PSWs) are people who have their own lived experience of mental health challenges. They draw upon their experiences to support service users 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 is full-time however part-time hours can be considered to a minimum of 15 hours per week.

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 Lambourn House, a 15-bed pre-discharge unit that supports patients to work towards greater independence and eventual discharge into the community, based in Littlemore, Oxford. 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 service users at Lambourn 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.

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 Lambourn 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

20 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£25,760 to £27,476 a year plus an RSU allowance of £1,446 per annum | pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-FS7927757

Job locations

Littlemore Mental Health Centre

Sandford Road

Oxford

OX4 4XN

Job description

Job responsibilities

Provide specialist peer support by drawing on lived experience of recovery to engage and support service users.
Demonstrate and uphold the importance of maintaining patient confidentiality, professional boundaries, and ethical practice at all times.
Draw upon lived experience and use active listening to inspire hope, offer empathy, empowerment, confidence building, and validate service users feelings.
Build relationships founded on mutuality, facilitating regular and practical support through both one-to-one work and group facilitation.
Support service users to develop and manage independence, positively promoting recovery through role modelling individual journeys.
Maintain a person-centred approach, ensuring the individual needs of each service user are always at the forefront of practice, underpinned by Peer Support training.

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

Provide specialist peer support by drawing on lived experience of recovery to engage and support service users.
Demonstrate and uphold the importance of maintaining patient confidentiality, professional boundaries, and ethical practice at all times.
Draw upon lived experience and use active listening to inspire hope, offer empathy, empowerment, confidence building, and validate service users feelings.
Build relationships founded on mutuality, facilitating regular and practical support through both one-to-one work and group facilitation.
Support service users to develop and manage independence, positively promoting recovery through role modelling individual journeys.
Maintain a person-centred approach, ensuring the individual needs of each service user are always at the forefront of practice, underpinned by Peer Support training.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

The ability to offer specialist support using their personal experience of recovery
Motivated to support service users to meet their self-identified goals

Personal qualities

Essential

To have a positive and caring attitude
To be adaptable and flexible

Knowledge/Qualifciations

Essential

To demonstrate the importance of professional boundaries

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

The ability to offer specialist support using their personal experience of recovery
Motivated to support service users to meet their self-identified goals

Personal qualities

Essential

To have a positive and caring attitude
To be adaptable and flexible

Knowledge/Qualifciations

Essential

To demonstrate the importance of professional boundaries

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.