Professional Lead for Lived Experience

This is a unique opportunity to shape how lived experience is embedded at every level of our organisation--ensuring that the voices of those who use our services influence decision-making, service design, and delivery.,

• Provide strategic and professional leadership for peer support workers across mental health and learning disability services
• Lead the development and implementation of peer support models across the Trust
• Champion and embed lived experience voices in organisational decision-making
• Work collaboratively with clinical, operational, and voluntary sector partners
• Ensure robust governance, quality, and supervision frameworks for peer support
• Represent peer support internally, externally, and at senior governance forums
• Lead on training, workforce development, and service improvement initiatives
You will also line manage key roles and support the ongoing development of a skilled, confident peer workforce., Strategic Leadership & Development
• Lead the Trust-wide strategy for lived experience and peer support, ensuring alignment with national policy, NHS priorities, and local system plans
• Drive the development, implementation, and evaluation of peer support models across mental health and learning disability services
• Identify emerging external drivers, research, and best practice to inform continuous improvement
• Act as the professional lead and subject matter expert for lived experience practice within the organisation
• Influence and contribute to Trust-wide policy development, ensuring lived experience is embedded in all relevant strategies
Professional Leadership & Workforce Development
• Provide professional leadership, guidance, and supervision frameworks for all Peer Support Workers (PSWs) across the Trust
• Oversee career pathways, competency frameworks, and progression opportunities for the peer workforce
• Lead on recruitment, induction, and retention strategies for peer roles
• Provide line management and supervision to key staff, including senior peer roles and patient experience functions
• Support a culture of reflective practice, coaching, and continuous professional development
• Promote safe, ethical, and effective use of lived experience in practice
Governance, Quality & Assurance
• Establish and maintain robust governance systems for peer support practice across community and inpatient services
• Monitor, evaluate, and report on activity, outcomes, and quality metrics relating to peer support interventions
• Analyse complex data and service feedback to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement
• Ensure compliance with clinical standards, safeguarding, and Trust policies
• Contribute to audit, research, and service evaluation relating to peer-led models
Service Development & Improvement
• Lead and support service redesign and transformation initiatives that embed lived experience at their core
• Work collaboratively with operational teams to co-produce services with service users and carers
• Promote innovative approaches to recovery-focused, person-centred care
• Identify and address health inequalities through targeted peer support initiatives
• Support implementation of new models of care and ways of working
Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement
• Build effective relationships with clinical teams, operational leaders, commissioners, and voluntary sector partners
• Represent the Trust at local, regional, and national forums relating to lived experience and peer support
• Work across organisational boundaries to strengthen partnership working and shared learning
• Engage with service users, carers, and communities to ensure their voices shape services
Advocacy & Representation
• Act as a champion for lived experience and recovery approaches across the Trust and wider system
• Ensure lived experience perspectives are represented at all levels of governance and decision-making
• Advocate for service user and carer voice, including escalation of themes and concerns
• Confidently present, influence, and challenge in senior forums and public settings
Training, Education & Culture Change
• Design and deliver training, workshops, and presentations to a range of audiences
• Support the development of a recovery-oriented culture across the organisation
• Increase awareness and understanding of the value of peer support roles
• Mentor and coach staff in the effective use of lived experience within practice
Programme & Project Management
• Plan and deliver complex projects and programmes of work within agreed timescales and budgets
• Monitor progress against milestones, risks, and outcomes
• Prepare high-quality reports, business cases, and presentations
• Manage competing priorities and respond to unpredictable demands
Communication & Influence
• Use highly developed interpersonal and influencing skills to drive change and overcome resistance
• Communicate complex, sensitive, and sometimes challenging information clearly and appropriately
• Tailor communication style for diverse audiences, including senior leaders, staff, and external stakeholders
Equality, Inclusion & Lived Experience Values
• Champion equality, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring lived experience voices are inclusive and representative
• Challenge stigma and discrimination within services and systems
• Model and promote recovery values, authenticity, and hope in all aspects of the role
  
  Has personal lived experience of mental health challenges and recovery, and can use this confidently and professionally
• Has significant experience in peer support, including leadership or supervision
• Is passionate about recovery-focused, person-centred care
• Has experience influencing service development, policy, or organisational change
• Demonstrates excellent communication, leadership, and partnership-working skills
• Can confidently present, influence, and advocate at all levels
A relevant postgraduate qualification (or equivalent experience) and peer support training are essential.,
• Evidence of Master's level study (or working towards) OR equivalent demonstrable experience in a relevant field
• Completion of Peer Support Worker training
• Completion of Peer Support Worker Supervisor (or equivalent) training, Coaching and/or mentoring qualification
• Teaching, training, or education certificate
• Qualification in counselling or related discipline, Lived experience of mental health challenges and use of mental health services, with the ability to apply this appropriately in a professional context
• Demonstrable evidence of a personal recovery journey, including maintaining wellbeing and managing triggers
• Significant experience of working directly with people with mental health conditions, learning disabilities, or related needs
• Experience of leading, managing, or supervising peer support workers or similar roles
• Experience of using lived experience to influence practice, services, or strategy
• Experience of delivering training, presentations, or facilitating groups, Experience of working with or presenting to senior leaders or governance forums (e.g. Board level)
• Experience of working across multiple organisations, systems, or partnerships
• Experience supporting complex care environments or service delivery improvement, Ability to use lived experience safely, constructively, and strategically to influence services
• Ability to present complex, sensitive information clearly to a variety of audiences
• Understanding of governance, quality assurance, and service evaluation processes
• Experience of planning and delivering projects within agreed timescales, Ability to lead and inspire change across teams and services
• Ability to analyse complex data, interpret findings, and produce clear reports
• Experience of working collaboratively with stakeholders, partners, and communities, Ability to lead and inspire change across teams and services
• Ability to analyse complex data, interpret findings, and produce clear reports
• Experience of working collaboratively with stakeholders, partners, and communities
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.

As a Trust we remain bold and ambitious with plans for both service and system collaborative transformation over the coming years to improve the health and wellbeing of our local people through high quality care. We pride ourselves onensuring our team has their wellbeing put first and as such provide a range of wellness opportunities including flexible working. We are committed to the Greener NHS national ambition to becoming the world's first 'carbon net zero' national health system by 2045 (Greener NHS (england.nhs.uk). As part of this, sustainability is embedded in our strategy as one of our four key enablers. In order to deliver on this commitment, we recognise that we need a workforce that is as passionate as we are about achieving these goals, for the benefit of our service users, workforce, local communities and the planet alike. The Trust is committed to ensuring that a diverse workforce is representative and inclusive at all levels. We would very much welcome applications from all under-represented groups including women, people with disabilities, people from global majority backgrounds, and those from the lesbian, gay, bi and trans communities.

Are you passionate about championing lived experience and transforming mental health services? We're looking for an inspiring and experienced leader to join us as Professional Lead for Lived Experience, a pivotal role driving the development of peer support across our Trust. Band 7, £49,387 - £56,515 per annum Fixed term until 31/03/2027, 37.5 hours per week.