Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Recovery College Senior Peer Trainer

The closing date is 31 October 2025

Job summary

Sussex Recovery College offers a range of courses covering mental health education, well-being and recovery. Our courses are co-designed and co-delivered by clinical practitioners and peer trainers, people with lived experience of mental health challenges.

The main role of the Senior Peer Trainer is to supervise and to provide professional development to a team of Peer Trainers. This is a 'lived experience' role, which means that candidates have experience of mental health challenges and are able to use this experience in their day-to-day practice, relating to others, sharing relevant experiences when relevant and able to draw on their own experiences of treatment and support.

This is a varied role that also involves curriculum planning, course review, engagement with students and local services. Senior Peer Trainers also contribute to feedback and quality assurance processes like students' feedback and monitoring course quality. A key aspect of this role includes to connect with local communities and Third Sector organisations.

One of the college's principles is to work in Co-production, so we are looking for someone who is well versed in this practice. This also involves the development and ongoing support of the College Student Voice.

The College has campuses in East and West Sussex and this role is based in Aldrington House (Hove). Knowledge of the Sussex Community and support services is desirable.

Main duties of the job

To support others who are overcoming mental health challenges in their journey to recovery and wellbeing through training

To work within the Recovery College Team to assist in the co-production of, design and delivery, of a broad range of recovery focussed courses and workshops for a range of young people including service users, their relatives, supporters and carers

To provide supervision and professional development to a team of Peer Trainers, who have lived experience of mental health challenges

To support the development of Sussex Recovery College by supporting the Steering Group and The Recovery & Discovery College Leadership Team

The role requires that you have developed a range of wellbeing self-management tools and that you are able to work quite independently.

About us

We'd love you to join our Trust, rated 'good' overall and 'outstanding' for caring by the CQC. Our staff agree: in our recent staff survey, 82% told us that they recognise that care for patients is our top priority.

Other key survey results:

70% highlighting flexible working as a key point for satisfaction at work

79% reporting feeling able to make suggestions to improve the work in their team

77% identifying opportunities to show initiative in their roles

Your benefits:

Excellent NHS Pension

Generous holiday entitlement (starting at 27 days + 8 bank holidays)

Access to a host of NHS discount schemes (Blue Light Card, Health Service discounts, discounted petrol etc.)

Access to full psychological support, via our internal wellbeing team

Excellent supervision programmes, with ongoing opportunities for training and development

Sussex Partnership is committed to reducing carbon emissions for healthier lives; we're actively working towards more sustainable healthcare across our whole Trust.

Details

Date posted

24 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£29,970 to £36,483 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

354-CO-21682

Job locations

Aldrington House

35 New Church Rd

Hove

BN3 4AG


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • To promote the ethos of Recovery College including a language of training and education, promoting the autonomy of students and promoting Recovery College courses as an alternative to mental health service user / mental health clinical groups. To provide, create and deliver a range of complex and sensitive recovery focused courses/workshops for service users, their supporters and staff. To support individuals and groups using a Peer approach To be a positive role model for other people overcoming mental health challenges, other workers and members of the public To use parts of your recovery story to inspire hope in others where appropriate To provide specialist advice in relation to recovery to service users, their supporters and staff. To jointly lead on developing lesson plans and course materials written training support material for new courses as well as updating existing To assist in the evaluation of the Recovery College training programmes and contribute to on-going design of further programmes. To act as a Recovery college personal tutor where appropriate. To liaise with professional leads, supervisor, managers, team leaders, peer workers, other Trust staff as appropriate and voluntary sector staff and other appropriate stakeholders to identify and deliver Recovery College courses. To identify the diverse needs of the group (service users, carers and staff) and to adapt teaching and communication style in response to the audiences level of need and understanding. To co-facilitate all courses with other Trainers / clinical specialists / subject matter experts Consult and inform your manager and/or professional lead and the Recovery College steering group (s) of any issues that may affect the efficient running of the college. To develop the college such that it works within a coaching paradigm and adheres to the core principles of appropriate learning theory in all courses. To identify and address additional learning supports that people may need to enable them to undertake and complete courses. To raise awareness of recovery language with all people by modelling positive strengths based, non-discriminatory, non-jargon, non-medicalised language in all areas of work. To keep an up to date awareness of all changes and developments to the use of technology in the Recovery College as well as any future advances in the use of technology generally within the service. To contribute to the development of alternative approaches to learning in line with the Recovery College developments. Remote Learning, E Learning, Workshops, Seminars, podcasts or self-help guides, Drop-In sessions, can also be used to pass knowledge onto learners. The trainers must have an awareness of such methods and be actively involved in the progression of learning methods. To encourage and promote active involvement in peer / service user involvement in all aspects of the work. To engage actively in peer and professional supervision and apply the learning to working with clients of the service To work flexibly, including out of hours and covering colleagues absence if required in all parts of the Recovery College. To undertake any other such duties as may reasonably fall within the remit of the post, as required by the Leadership TeamCommunication To participate and report to the local Recovery college steering group To work with the steering group to develop the curriculum and prospectus, including the scheduling of different courses. To communicate and liaise with a range of professionals within the Trust, including professional leads, managers, care coordinators, peer support workers, external agencies and other appropriate stakeholders to identify and deliver Recovery courses/workshops through the local recovery college steering group (s). To liaise with local, mainstream organisations in order to develop jointly delivered courses/workshops and to improve opportunities for the social inclusion of mental health service users. To communicate and consult with potential course participants and other stakeholders on the development of the service. To actively encourage and support effective communication within the team and between the team and other services /organisations. To undertake service promotion activities with colleagues. To form professional relationships with students and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture To demonstrate effective communication skills with students whose understanding may be impaired To be an active member of local and Trust-wide meetings as appropriate The working relationship between all members of staff should be mutually supportive, with staff deputising and covering for each other when appropriate.Documentation To produce and keep up to date all support material for learning initiatives, ensuring that all documentation is correct and clearly identifiable to other Recovery College staff and available when required. To ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with professional and Trust standards.Professional Ethics To adhere to the Trusts Code of Conduct for Non-Qualified Staff and/or professional codes of conduct and all other relevant policies and procedures To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of people and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needsTraining Staff To provide, create and deliver a range of complex and sensitive recovery focused courses/workshops To participate in the dissemination and sharing of information and skills with staff, students and volunteers To organise the local induction of new Recovery college staff and students. To participate in the induction of other staff, both within and external to the TrustProfessional Development Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with Line Manager as part of the personal development planning process To contribute and commit to undertaking an annual Development Review/appraisal. To undertake personal development as identified in the Personal Development Plan (PDP). Attend regular supervision with the manager and professional supervisor. To organise and attend a reflective practice group for recovery trainers Regularly update professional knowledge and knowledge of developments in the mental health field. To keep a record of training and development on Mylearning

To be successful in this role, you will be expected to:

Have experience of mental health challenges and being able to utilise this on your day-to-day practice.

Have experience working with people with mental health challenges; it would be particularly beneficial if you have experience in line management/supervision and/or development of staff.

You will be a resilient and resourceful individual who can work well independently as well as being part of a team.

You will have experience delivering training or facilitating groups as well as communicating confidently with a wide range of people.

You will show good communication and listening as well as empathy towards all staff and students; and will be able to relay your own experiences in a way that benefits others.

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • To promote the ethos of Recovery College including a language of training and education, promoting the autonomy of students and promoting Recovery College courses as an alternative to mental health service user / mental health clinical groups. To provide, create and deliver a range of complex and sensitive recovery focused courses/workshops for service users, their supporters and staff. To support individuals and groups using a Peer approach To be a positive role model for other people overcoming mental health challenges, other workers and members of the public To use parts of your recovery story to inspire hope in others where appropriate To provide specialist advice in relation to recovery to service users, their supporters and staff. To jointly lead on developing lesson plans and course materials written training support material for new courses as well as updating existing To assist in the evaluation of the Recovery College training programmes and contribute to on-going design of further programmes. To act as a Recovery college personal tutor where appropriate. To liaise with professional leads, supervisor, managers, team leaders, peer workers, other Trust staff as appropriate and voluntary sector staff and other appropriate stakeholders to identify and deliver Recovery College courses. To identify the diverse needs of the group (service users, carers and staff) and to adapt teaching and communication style in response to the audiences level of need and understanding. To co-facilitate all courses with other Trainers / clinical specialists / subject matter experts Consult and inform your manager and/or professional lead and the Recovery College steering group (s) of any issues that may affect the efficient running of the college. To develop the college such that it works within a coaching paradigm and adheres to the core principles of appropriate learning theory in all courses. To identify and address additional learning supports that people may need to enable them to undertake and complete courses. To raise awareness of recovery language with all people by modelling positive strengths based, non-discriminatory, non-jargon, non-medicalised language in all areas of work. To keep an up to date awareness of all changes and developments to the use of technology in the Recovery College as well as any future advances in the use of technology generally within the service. To contribute to the development of alternative approaches to learning in line with the Recovery College developments. Remote Learning, E Learning, Workshops, Seminars, podcasts or self-help guides, Drop-In sessions, can also be used to pass knowledge onto learners. The trainers must have an awareness of such methods and be actively involved in the progression of learning methods. To encourage and promote active involvement in peer / service user involvement in all aspects of the work. To engage actively in peer and professional supervision and apply the learning to working with clients of the service To work flexibly, including out of hours and covering colleagues absence if required in all parts of the Recovery College. To undertake any other such duties as may reasonably fall within the remit of the post, as required by the Leadership TeamCommunication To participate and report to the local Recovery college steering group To work with the steering group to develop the curriculum and prospectus, including the scheduling of different courses. To communicate and liaise with a range of professionals within the Trust, including professional leads, managers, care coordinators, peer support workers, external agencies and other appropriate stakeholders to identify and deliver Recovery courses/workshops through the local recovery college steering group (s). To liaise with local, mainstream organisations in order to develop jointly delivered courses/workshops and to improve opportunities for the social inclusion of mental health service users. To communicate and consult with potential course participants and other stakeholders on the development of the service. To actively encourage and support effective communication within the team and between the team and other services /organisations. To undertake service promotion activities with colleagues. To form professional relationships with students and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture To demonstrate effective communication skills with students whose understanding may be impaired To be an active member of local and Trust-wide meetings as appropriate The working relationship between all members of staff should be mutually supportive, with staff deputising and covering for each other when appropriate.Documentation To produce and keep up to date all support material for learning initiatives, ensuring that all documentation is correct and clearly identifiable to other Recovery College staff and available when required. To ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with professional and Trust standards.Professional Ethics To adhere to the Trusts Code of Conduct for Non-Qualified Staff and/or professional codes of conduct and all other relevant policies and procedures To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of people and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needsTraining Staff To provide, create and deliver a range of complex and sensitive recovery focused courses/workshops To participate in the dissemination and sharing of information and skills with staff, students and volunteers To organise the local induction of new Recovery college staff and students. To participate in the induction of other staff, both within and external to the TrustProfessional Development Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with Line Manager as part of the personal development planning process To contribute and commit to undertaking an annual Development Review/appraisal. To undertake personal development as identified in the Personal Development Plan (PDP). Attend regular supervision with the manager and professional supervisor. To organise and attend a reflective practice group for recovery trainers Regularly update professional knowledge and knowledge of developments in the mental health field. To keep a record of training and development on Mylearning

To be successful in this role, you will be expected to:

Have experience of mental health challenges and being able to utilise this on your day-to-day practice.

Have experience working with people with mental health challenges; it would be particularly beneficial if you have experience in line management/supervision and/or development of staff.

You will be a resilient and resourceful individual who can work well independently as well as being part of a team.

You will have experience delivering training or facilitating groups as well as communicating confidently with a wide range of people.

You will show good communication and listening as well as empathy towards all staff and students; and will be able to relay your own experiences in a way that benefits others.

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

  • Evidence of a commitment to lifelong learning
  • Educated to Degree level or equivalent experience
  • Evidence of ongoing personal development

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Experience of working with people with mental health needs in a paid or voluntary capacity
  • Experience of working with people with mental health difficulties
  • Experience working as part of a team
  • Experience of being supervised
  • Experience of delivering recovery focussed training or groups
  • Lived experience of mental health issues/difficulties
Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

  • Evidence of a commitment to lifelong learning
  • Educated to Degree level or equivalent experience
  • Evidence of ongoing personal development

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Experience of working with people with mental health needs in a paid or voluntary capacity
  • Experience of working with people with mental health difficulties
  • Experience working as part of a team
  • Experience of being supervised
  • Experience of delivering recovery focussed training or groups
  • Lived experience of mental health issues/difficulties

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Aldrington House

35 New Church Rd

Hove

BN3 4AG


Employer's website

https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Aldrington House

35 New Church Rd

Hove

BN3 4AG


Employer's website

https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Peer Trainer Lead

Nelida Senoran Martin

nelida.senoranmartin@nhs.net

07471032077

Details

Date posted

24 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£29,970 to £36,483 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

354-CO-21682

Job locations

Aldrington House

35 New Church Rd

Hove

BN3 4AG


Supporting documents

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