Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
HIV Peer Support Worker
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Job Overview
Do you have your own personal lived experience of an HIV diagnosis?
The role of HIV Peer Support Worker has been developed specifically for people who have lived experience of recovery after their own HIV diagnosis. It is essential that Peer Support workers demonstrate a willingness to professionally use their lived experience to support the recovery journey of others and as such should be comfortable to share their status with clients, colleagues and external agencies.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for a HIV Peer Support Worker as part of Surrey services.
Sharing the wisdom of own lived experience, the Peer Support Worker will inspire hope & belief that a life after a diagnosis of HIV is possible in others.
Please note only candidates who have personal experience of living with a diagnosis of HIV can apply.
Please refer to your recovery journey and experiences of living with this diagnosis within your application. You will also be asked to give a short presentation on your recovery story at interview.
CNWL expects the HIV Peer Support Worker to act in a way that shows an understanding of our core values.
COMPASSION: Contribution to a caring and kind environment & recognition that what you do & say can help to improve the lives of others.
RESPECT: Acknowledge, respect, & value the diversity of each individual & recognition of uniqueness.
EMPOWERMENT: Commitment to providing information, resources, & support to help others make their own decisions & meet their own needs.
PARTNERSHIP: Work closely with others and behave in a way that demonstrates understanding that commissioners & users of our services are the people who generate & fund our work.
Working for our organisation
This is a fixed term contract of 20 months.
You will be fully supported in your personal and professional development through training, as well as regular 1:1 supervision within the line management structure, along with peer supervision and involvement in Trustwide PSW development events.
Please note: This vacancy does not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker sponsorship, unless you meet the criteria by temporary exemption from current changes to immigration rules put in force on 22/07/2025. “Separate provisions are applied to workers who have been sponsored and held continuously Skilled Worker visa since prior to 04/04/2024."
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As such, if you don’t meet the Transitional Provision (above) we are unable to consider your application unless you can provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the United Kingdom. If you believe you are eligible for sponsorship or already hold a valid right to work in the UK, please ensure you provide full details of your immigration status in the Pre-Screening Immigration section of your application form.
Please note role eligibility also depends on whether the role meets the salary threshold for the relevant occupational code (SOC CODE).
For further info please visit: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
- Be committed to professional development through independent learning, keeping up to date with the latest research, and building connections with local and national peer networks.
- Promote development of best practices in peer support and lived experience practice across the service through active participation in internal and external training and development programmes.
- Supervision requirements— 6 weekly management, peer and clinical supervision sessions. Group supervision with Peer Support team across the CNWL.
- To collaborate closely with the MDT to appropriately link service users with the most appropriate support. Including signposting patients in need of emergency financial support, immigration issues, benefits and housing to appropriate agencies and charities.
- To maintain professional relationships with particular attention to confidentiality and the maintenance of boundaries.
- Report any incidents or unusual occurrences to line management/senior clinician immediately and make use of Datix, the Trusts internal incident reporting framework.
- To work effectively both autonomously and as part of the Surrey HIV team, organising and prioritising workload.
- To attend relevant conferences and workshops to increase knowledge of current developments and disseminate findings to enhance service delivery.
- To maintain up to date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and issues in relation to both HIV and peer support.
- To comply with all relevant Trust policies, procedures and guidelines, including those relating to Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety and Confidentiality of Information and to be aware of any changes in these.
- To undertake any other duties as instructed by line manager/s that will contribute to fulfilling project aims.
- To be aware of, teach others and challenge issues in relation to stigma, low expectations and anti-discriminatory practice as appropriate.
- To attend clinic-based HIV meetings
- To keep accurate and up to date records regarding patient interventions on the clinic based EPR system.
- To help promote, educate and present on issues concerning HIV to colleagues, students, nurses, doctors and the public where appropriate in conjunction with Trust Communications team.
- Provide updates at Local Education Meeting as requested
- To ensure mandatory training is up to date.
- To maintain and update personal knowledge of HIV/STIs, HIV issues and associated issues related to the job description.
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Person specification
Education And Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Willingness to undertake or completed peer support worker training (preferably accredited)
- Evidence of further training in relation to personal recovery principles
- Evidence of continuing professional and personal development
- GCSE or equivalent in verbal and written English and maths
Desirable criteria
- Accredited certificate in Life Coaching or Counselling Skills
- NVQ3 or equivalent with relevance to post.
Other
Essential criteria
- Ability to travel between locations using own or public transport
Experience
Essential criteria
- Own personal experience of living with HIV
- Experience of having established effective self-management in relation to living with HIV
- Experience of working with people in a peer-led role or role which required professional use of lived experience.
- Experience of working in health/social care/voluntary sector team delivering services
- Experience of working both independently as well as providing group and 1:1 activities
Desirable criteria
- Undertaking evaluations, audit and research
- Experience of facilitating groups
Skills and Knowledge
Essential criteria
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people living with HIV diagnosis and other health challenges and disabilities
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