If you have personal lived experience of navigating secondary mental health services and want to turn that journey into a meaningful career, this unique opportunity is worth your immediate attention. The Mental Health Services for Older People clinical nurse specialist team is seeking a dedicated individual to bridge the gap between clinical care and authentic recovery. This position provides a profound way to guide individuals aged 65 or over who are learning to live well after a psychosis diagnosis.
Operating within both the clinical specialist team and the peer-led Recovery and Wellbeing College, this role places a premium on your personal insights and wisdom rather than traditional clinical qualifications. Cardiff and Vale University Health Board recognizes the immense value that peer support brings to healthcare delivery and is backing this up by offering visa sponsorship for qualified international candidates. This makes it an ideal path for overseas professionals with a background in peer support to relocate to Wales.
Stepping into this position means joining an inclusive, forward-thinking team that prioritises hope, control and opportunity for older adults experiencing emotional distress, voices or visions. With a solid salary structure of £28,819 to £31,626 per year, you will be well-supported as you help others regain control over their lives. It is an incredibly rewarding environment where your personal recovery journey becomes a beacon of light for others.
Job Overview
| Field | Details |
| Job Title | Peer Support Worker Psychosis |
| Employer | Cardiff and Vale University Health Board |
| Location | Cardiff, Wales |
| Salary | £28,819 – £31,626 / Year |
| Contract Type | Full Time |
| Hours | Not specified |
| Visa Sponsorship Status | Visa Sponsorship Available |
| Closing Date | Not specified |
| Interview Date | Not specified |
What You’d Actually Be Doing
- Provide structured peer support and practical assistance to an allocated caseload of older adults, helping them actively regain control over their recovery journey.
- Share personal recovery wisdom appropriately to model hope and demonstrate that living a fulfilling life alongside complex mental health challenges is entirely possible.
- Participate in care planning and review processes alongside nurses and therapists to ensure that physical, mental and social well-being needs are met holistically.
- Embed core recovery principles across training, design and service delivery within the Recovery and Wellbeing College to keep the service authentically peer-led.
- Engage marginalized service users who may feel reluctant or nervous about interacting with traditional mental health teams, using your shared background to build trust.
Who They’re Looking For
Essential Criteria
- Personal lived experience of using secondary mental health or addiction services, either as a service user or as a dedicated carer.
- Relevant experience plus additional structured training or experience in formal peer support methodologies.
- Strong understanding of psychosis and related conditions, specifically concerning their impact on the lives of older adults.
- Valid NVQ Level 4, diploma or equivalent demonstrable experience in a supportive field.
- Proficient communication and IT skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office, email systems and data recording.
Desirable Criteria
- Proven track record of networking and establishing positive working links with external community organizations.
- Deep understanding of the specific social challenges, such as isolation or ageism, that older adults face alongside mental health difficulties.
If you have the essential lived experience and a passion for helping older adults but worry about your formal IT or networking background, remember that comprehensive clinical supervision and support are fully provided by the team.
What Most Applicants Get Wrong
- Hiding or glossing over their personal mental health recovery journey in their application. Unlike conventional roles, this position explicitly requires your lived experience, so framing your recovery journey as a professional asset is vital.
- Failing to show an understanding of the specific needs of older adults versus younger demographics. Applicants often describe general peer support methods without acknowledging the unique challenges of ageism, cognitive changes or physical health issues that impact people over 65.
- Forgetting to demonstrate a clear understanding of the boundary between sharing personal wisdom and over-sharing. Recruiters look for individuals who are secure in their own recovery and know how to use their story purposefully without blurring professional boundaries.
How to Apply (and Actually Get Noticed)
- Review the full job listing details via the official job board link provided below.
- Structure your supporting statement to clearly highlight your personal experience with secondary mental health services and how it informs your peer support approach.
- Provide explicit details of any peer support training, NVQ qualifications or equivalent certificates you hold.
- Demonstrate your familiarity with older adult care or your capacity to show cultural sensitivity and respect to marginalized individuals.
- Complete the digital application form accurately and submit it through the online system before the vacancy closes.
Visa and Eligibility
This position is open to overseas applicants, and the health board has confirmed that Skilled Worker visa sponsorship is available. Candidates applying from outside the United Kingdom must be prepared to satisfy standard immigration rules, including providing necessary criminal record certificates from countries they have resided in over the past decade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this peer support job provide visa sponsorship for overseas applicants?
Yes, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board offers current Skilled Worker sponsorship to qualified international applicants for this position.
What is the primary qualification required for this peer support worker post?
The core requirement is lived experience of using secondary mental health or addiction services, alongside relevant peer support training or an NVQ Level 4 diploma equivalent.
Which demographic will the successful candidate be supporting in this Cardiff role?
This specific role focuses on supporting older adults aged 65 years or over who have received a diagnosis of psychosis or are experiencing voices and visions.
What salary package is attached to this psychosis peer support role?
The role offers a standard full-time salary ranging between £28,819 and £31,626 per year depending on your previous experience.
What are the main recovery principles utilized by this service?
The service focuses on embedding the core recovery principles of Hope, Control and Opportunity across all aspects of training and care delivery.
Do I need a criminal record check to work in this mental health service?
Yes, this position requires a mandatory Disclosure and Barring Service check due to the nature of working with vulnerable older adults.
Who provides day-to-day clinical supervision for this peer support position?
Direct clinical supervision is provided by the Clinical Nurse Specialist for Psychosis, with broader oversight from the Peer Support Lead.
Official Application Link
You can read more about this vacancy and submit your formal documents directly via the Peer Support Worker Psychosis position at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board page.
