Job Summary
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
HIV Peer Support Workers (PSWs) provide structured peer support, practical advice and referral for our diverse population of service users, enabling them to understand and manage their condition in order to regain control over their own unique recovery journey. By sharing their own recovery journeys, HIV PSWs inspire hope and belief that a good and long life is possible after HIV diagnosis.
As an essential member of the Surrey multi-disciplinary team, the HIV PSW will collaborate with colleagues and third-party service providers to develop and deliver a varied range of peer support activities, including meeting with Surrey clinic service users on a drop-in basis, one to one peer support sessions and co-facilitation of educational sessions, workshops and support groups. The HIV PSW will support clients to identify their own goals and develop their unique recovery/self-management plans.
About us
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 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, should you be invited.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- 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
- Accredited certificate in Life Coaching or Counselling Skills
- NVQ3 or equivalent with relevance to post.
Other
Essential
- Ability to travel between locations using own or public transport
Experience
Essential
- 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
- Undertaking evaluations, audit and research
- Experience of facilitating groups
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people living with HIV diagnosis and other health challenges and disabilities
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.
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).
Closing Date: 26 August 2025
