Job Description

Do you have personal lived experience of recovery from mental and emotional distress? Do you have substantial professional experience in peer and lived experience working within healthcare? Are you looking for an opportunity to join an established peer workforce in a leadership role?
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced peer worker to join CNWL's peer and lived experience workforce as Deputy Peer Support Lead.
The postholder will work closely with the Trustwide Lived Experience Practice and Peer Support Lead and alongside other lived experience leads in the organisation, overseeing and supporting the growth of the peer and lived experience workforce across the Trust.
They will provide supervision, consultation and training to colleagues and be actively involved in developing and supporting new posts across The trust. They will act as an ambassador of Recovery for the Trust alongside others, drawing upon aspects of their own lived experience to challenge stigma and discrimination.
We are looking for a highly motivated individual, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills who can work flexibly to meeting the demands of this exciting and very varied position.
Please note that only candidates who have personally experienced mental health challenges and have professional experience in peer and lived experience working will be shortlisted.Please reference these experiences within your application to be considered for this position.
Main duties of the job
To ensure peer and lived experience working across CNWL is provided in line with the principles and ethos of recovery and social inclusion, the Deputy Peer Support Lead will contribute their lived experience of recovery, professional experience as a Senior Peer Support Worker, and specialist knowledge and expertise in supporting the organisation to deliver recovery-focused services, optimising CNWL's peer and lived experience contribution.
They will support the development of the workforce, assuming deputised responsibility for the development, implementation and review of the workforce in line with the Trust's Peer & Lived Experience Workforce Strategy.
They will contribute to the centralised lived experience leadership team, strategically planning and guiding peer support and providing professional supervision to Senior Peer Support Workers, Senior Peer Trainers, and Advanced Lived Experience staff. They will also contribute to the ongoing maintenance of our supervision and development framework, ensuring safe practice and affords opportunities for career development.
They will proactively work with the Trustwide Lived Experience Practice & Peer Support Lead to identify opportunities for developments in new posts. They will support managers to introduce new roles by assisting in the development of roles, facilitating Team Preparation sessions, recruiting and inducting new staff, and ensuring they operate within a peer supervision and development framework.
About us
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) is one of the largest and most diverse NHS trusts in the UK, providing physical and mental health services across London, Milton Keynes, Surrey, and beyond. We are proud of our reputation for innovation, quality, and compassionate care. Our staff are our greatest asset, and we are committed to supporting their wellbeing, learning, and development. By joining CNWL, you will become part of a compassionate, inclusive, and forward-thinking organisation that values diversity and is dedicated to improving lives. We offer a wide range of training, career development opportunities, and staff benefits to help you thrive both professionally and personally.
Details
Date posted
17 September 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 7
Salary
53,751 to 60,651 a year per annum inc HCAS (pro rata if P/T)
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
333-C-HQ-2007
Job locations
Argo House
180 Kilburn Park Road
London
NW6 5FA
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Deputy Peer Support Lead will work with the Trustwide Lived Experience Practice & Peer Support Lead and Peer & Lived Experience Training & Development Lead to evaluate Team Preparation Workshops, the accredited Developing Expertise in Peer Working programme, and the impact of the peer workforce within CNWL services.
They will contribute to the development of peer-focused publications, research and evaluation activities, and deliver presentations within the organisation and to external partners/conferences.
They will work in collaboration with the Peer & Lived Experience Training Team, Recovery & Wellbeing College, Education, and Patient & Carer Involvement Teams, co-designing and co-delivering learning and development opportunities. They will work in partnership with teams and departments which support the transformation of the workforce (including but not limited to Human Resources, Occupational Health and Employment Services).
For a detailed overview of the duties and responsibilities of this job, please see the linked . Job description
Job responsibilities
The Deputy Peer Support Lead will work with the Trustwide Lived Experience Practice & Peer Support Lead and Peer & Lived Experience Training & Development Lead to evaluate Team Preparation Workshops, the accredited Developing Expertise in Peer Working programme, and the impact of the peer workforce within CNWL services.
They will contribute to the development of peer-focused publications, research and evaluation activities, and deliver presentations within the organisation and to external partners/conferences.
They will work in collaboration with the Peer & Lived Experience Training Team, Recovery & Wellbeing College, Education, and Patient & Carer Involvement Teams, co-designing and co-delivering learning and development opportunities. They will work in partnership with teams and departments which support the transformation of the workforce (including but not limited to Human Resources, Occupational Health and Employment Services).
For a detailed overview of the duties and responsibilities of this job, please see the linked .
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential

• Completion of training in peer support
• Educated to degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent skills
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

• Leadership training
• Project management training
• Quality improvement training
• Full UK Driving licence and access to a vehicle

Previous experience
Essential

• Lived experience of recovery from mental and emotional distress
• Significant experience working in mental health services (statutory or voluntary sector)
• Experience as a peer/lived experience worker
• Experience of using mental health services
• Experience of working across organisational boundaries and with a wide range of professional groups at a senior level
• Experience of recruitment and workforce planning
• Experience of delivering training and presentations
• Experience of co-production
• Experience in managing resources e.g. financial, stock, equipment

Desirable

• Experience in managing complex HR issues with staff, e.g. the management of performance / long term sickness
• Experience in budget management
• Experience in strategy development and delivery
• Experience in developing guidelines and policy
• Experience of working with information technology to keep track of operational performance
• Experience in coaching

Skills, knowledge, abilities
Essential

• Proficient use of systems of communication such as Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Office, Outlook, telephone
• Effective leadership skills through the management of designated projects, audits and/or research
• Skills in producing timely, accurate and informative reports and notes
• Ability to work autonomously, on own initiative and under pressure to meet deadlines and competing priorities, and to make and action decisions independently within agreed timeframes
• Ability to regularly identify and undertake appropriate learning and development opportunities as part of ongoing CPD
• Ability to chair/facilitate a meeting

Desirable

• Awareness of community resources and service user groups
• Knowledge of current legislation that underpins health and social care and a working knowledge of the Equalities Act 2010 and Human Rights Act

Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential

• Completion of training in peer support
• Educated to degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent skills
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

• Leadership training
• Project management training
• Quality improvement training
• Full UK Driving licence and access to a vehicle

Previous experience
Essential

• Lived experience of recovery from mental and emotional distress
• Significant experience working in mental health services (statutory or voluntary sector)
• Experience as a peer/lived experience worker
• Experience of using mental health services
• Experience of working across organisational boundaries and with a wide range of professional groups at a senior level
• Experience of recruitment and workforce planning
• Experience of delivering training and presentations
• Experience of co-production
• Experience in managing resources e.g. financial, stock, equipment

Desirable

• Experience in managing complex HR issues with staff, e.g. the management of performance / long term sickness
• Experience in budget management
• Experience in strategy development and delivery
• Experience in developing guidelines and policy
• Experience of working with information technology to keep track of operational performance
• Experience in coaching

Skills, knowledge, abilities
Essential

• Proficient use of systems of communication such as Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Office, Outlook, telephone
• Effective leadership skills through the management of designated projects, audits and/or research
• Skills in producing timely, accurate and informative reports and notes
• Ability to work autonomously, on own initiative and under pressure to meet deadlines and competing priorities, and to make and action decisions independently within agreed timeframes
• Ability to regularly identify and undertake appropriate learning and development opportunities as part of ongoing CPD
• Ability to chair/facilitate a meeting

Desirable

• Awareness of community resources and service user groups
• Knowledge of current legislation that underpins health and social care and a working knowledge of the Equalities Act 2010 and Human Rights Act

Skills Required