Peer Support Worker
Uses their own lived experience of mental illness and recovery to support others as an equal — building hope and connection on wards and in the community. A low-barrier entry to an NHS career.
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Strong on salary growth and AI resistance; held back by job security.
Can reach ~£80,000 via Clinical Director / Consultant-level Lead.
Workforce scale not separately tracked; trend not tracked.
Highly resistant to automation — hands-on clinical work.
Strong work–life balance; some shifts.
Easy entry — low study load, moderate competition.
3 onward routes; some flexible-working scope.
Career Score™ is CareRoute's own indicative rating from public NHS-style data — not an official NHS ranking. A composite of six factors; same inputs always give the same score.
What you'd do
- Share lived experience to build trust and hope
- Support people through their recovery goals
- Co-facilitate groups and activities
- Advocate for people's voice in their care
Is this you?
Typical progression routes
Indicative routes from the career graph — not usage data.
Your salary roadmap
Indicative pay on the highest-reaching route, by year.
Skills & requirements
- PWP training (Level 6 apprenticeship / PGCert Low-Intensity)
- Maths & English GCSE (grade 4/C) or equivalent
Ask the advisor anything
Honest, practical answers grounded in real NHS-style data — not a recruiter.
Guides & updates
We're writing in-depth mental health guides — pay, entry routes and progression. In the meantime, explore the roles and career map above.
Questions, answered straight
Where to look next
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