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NHS Scotland
Peer Recovery Worker
Ayr On-site 0-2 yrs exp Hospitals and Health Care 7,524 employees
Peer SupportDrug and Alcohol RecoveryGroup FacilitationOne-to-One SupportPatient Advocacy
Requirements
Requires lived experience of drug/alcohol recovery or experience supporting a loved one through recovery. Candidates should possess an SVQ 3 in healthcare or relevant experience working with mental health and substance abuse issues.
Job Description
NHS Scotland
NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.
Who We Are
NHS Ayrshire and Arran are one of 14 territorial NHS Boards within NHS Scotland.
In support of our core purpose of Working together to achieve the healthiest life possible for everyone in Ayrshire and Arran, we are committed to a culture that is Caring, Safe, and Respectful. You will be required to work collaboratively in a safe, caring and respectful way.
To find out more about NHS Ayrshire and Arran please visit our website -
AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your applicationbut your answers must be your own.
Position
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Peer Recovery Worker based at Ailsa Hospital. This post is offered on a fixed-term basis until 31/03/2027.
Hours
36 hours per week, working 0900-1700 over 5 days (part time will be considered)
From 1 April 2026, the working week for NHS Agenda for Change staff in Scotland will be reduced. Full-time hours will reduce from 37 to 36 hours (pro rata for part-time staff) without loss of earnings.
UK Driving Licence
A UK driving licence is essential for this role.
What You Will Do
Using your lived experience of drug and/or alcohol recovery or experience of supporting a family/loved one, you will provide one-to-one and group peer support to individuals accessing services. Working within the principles of hope, personal responsibility, education, self-advocacy, and support, you will encourage and empower people on their recovery journey.
You will act as a positive role model, promoting recovery-focused approaches, supporting individuals to build confidence and independence, and helping to create an environment that encourages and sustains recovery.
For further information on the role please click the link below to view the job description.
Knowledge, Training And/or Experience Required For This Post
SVQ 3 in healthcare or relevant previous experience working with people who have mental health and/or Alcohol and Drug problems.
For further information on the requirements for the role please click the link below to view the person specification.
If you would like to find out more about the role, please contact Jacqueline MacPhail on ()
Right to Work / Certificates of Sponsorship
To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service. Further information on what NHS Scotland Boards are required to do to check this as well as what your responsibilities include can be found within the attached Candidate Information Pack.
It is essential that you have checked that you either already have an appropriate right to work in the UK or that the post would be eligible to be sponsored before submitting your application form.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran may be able to offer visa sponsorship for certain roles, provided the post meets the minimum salary threshold and any other required criteria. When considering if a post meets the salary threshold for sponsorship, please note the salary advertised is based on a full-time contract and must be pro-rated for part-time positions. Sponsorship is not guaranteed and is assessed on a case-by-case basis following interview and at the commencement of pre-employment checks.
Please visit for further information.
We are unable to provide sponsorship for Band 2 posts or bank contracts.
Additional Information For Candidates
NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.
Who We Are
NHS Ayrshire and Arran are one of 14 territorial NHS Boards within NHS Scotland.
In support of our core purpose of Working together to achieve the healthiest life possible for everyone in Ayrshire and Arran, we are committed to a culture that is Caring, Safe, and Respectful. You will be required to work collaboratively in a safe, caring and respectful way.
To find out more about NHS Ayrshire and Arran please visit our website -
AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your applicationbut your answers must be your own.
- Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
- Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
- Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.
Position
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Peer Recovery Worker based at Ailsa Hospital. This post is offered on a fixed-term basis until 31/03/2027.
Hours
36 hours per week, working 0900-1700 over 5 days (part time will be considered)
From 1 April 2026, the working week for NHS Agenda for Change staff in Scotland will be reduced. Full-time hours will reduce from 37 to 36 hours (pro rata for part-time staff) without loss of earnings.
UK Driving Licence
A UK driving licence is essential for this role.
What You Will Do
Using your lived experience of drug and/or alcohol recovery or experience of supporting a family/loved one, you will provide one-to-one and group peer support to individuals accessing services. Working within the principles of hope, personal responsibility, education, self-advocacy, and support, you will encourage and empower people on their recovery journey.
You will act as a positive role model, promoting recovery-focused approaches, supporting individuals to build confidence and independence, and helping to create an environment that encourages and sustains recovery.
For further information on the role please click the link below to view the job description.
Knowledge, Training And/or Experience Required For This Post
SVQ 3 in healthcare or relevant previous experience working with people who have mental health and/or Alcohol and Drug problems.
For further information on the requirements for the role please click the link below to view the person specification.
If you would like to find out more about the role, please contact Jacqueline MacPhail on ()
Right to Work / Certificates of Sponsorship
To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service. Further information on what NHS Scotland Boards are required to do to check this as well as what your responsibilities include can be found within the attached Candidate Information Pack.
It is essential that you have checked that you either already have an appropriate right to work in the UK or that the post would be eligible to be sponsored before submitting your application form.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran may be able to offer visa sponsorship for certain roles, provided the post meets the minimum salary threshold and any other required criteria. When considering if a post meets the salary threshold for sponsorship, please note the salary advertised is based on a full-time contract and must be pro-rated for part-time positions. Sponsorship is not guaranteed and is assessed on a case-by-case basis following interview and at the commencement of pre-employment checks.
Please visit for further information.
We are unable to provide sponsorship for Band 2 posts or bank contracts.
Additional Information For Candidates
- You should apply for this post by completing the application process on NHS Jobs Scotland.
- DO NOT upload a CV as this will not be used for shortlisting purposes.
- Posts close at midnight on the indicated date. Late applications will not be accepted.
- For help to complete an application on NHS Jobs Scotland, please follow this link:
- To view our accessibility statement, please follow this link:
- Please note that our correspondence method is by email, therefore please ensure you enter your email address accurately.
- Please check your email regularly (including junk folders) and your NHS Jobs Scotland account for updates.
- Please contact JobTrain Candidate Support Hub: - for advice and support with any system issues.
- We recommend using the Internet Browser “Google Chrome” or “Microsoft Edge” when using JobTrain.
- Once you have submitted your application form you will be unable to make any amendments.
- Some of our vacancies are for internal candidates only. If you are a staff member, please ensure you update your NHS Jobs Scotland account profile to reflect that you are employed by NHS Ayrshire and Arran.
- Please note, for all vacancies where a driving licence is required this must be a full UK/EU/EEA licence.
Education
Professional Certificate
Skills
Peer SupportDrug and Alcohol RecoveryGroup FacilitationOne-to-One SupportPatient AdvocacyEmpowermentMental Health SupportRecovery-Focused Approach