Dear FOI Officer, Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000,
I am writing to request information regarding Peer Support Workers (PSWs) and other lived-experience roles within your trust. For clarity, “peer support workers” refers to staff employed in roles where lived experience of mental health challenges is essential to their work.
I would be grateful if you could provide the following information as of 1st November 2025:
1. Workforce numbers:
a. Total number of Peer Support Workers employed in the trust and number of volunteer PSWs (if applicable).
b. Total number of other roles where lived experience is an essential requirement (e.g., peer trainers, peer educators).
c. Percentage of PSW workforce who are on a fixed-term contract.
2. Role banding / grading:
a. Number of PSWs at each NHS band (e.g., Band 2, 3, 4, etc.).
b. Number and names of other lived-experience roles at each band.
3. Training and development:
a. Are PSWs trained internally by the trust, externally by a third party, or both?
b. Do PSWs receive training prior to starting their role, on-the-job, or a combination of both?
c. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities available for PSWs.
d. Career progression routes for PSWs (brief description or number progressing to other roles in the last 12 months).
4. Absence and wellbeing:
a. Average sickness absence for PSWs over the past 18 months (days lost per FTE).
b. If available, the percentage of sickness absence related to mental health.
5. Directorate allocation:
a. Number of PSWs employed in each directorate/service area (please name each directorate area within your response).
b. Where peer support sits within the organisation structure (e.g., Patient Participation and Involvement, Nursing, Recovery Services, or other)-please describe.
6. Workforce composition:
a. Percentage of the trust’s total workforce in lived-experience or peer support roles.
b. Number and percentage of roles with essential lived experience within the job description/person specification relative to total trust workforce.
c. Ethnic diversity of PSWs (percentage of PSW’s who identify as BAME).
7. Workforce trends:
a. Has the number of PSW or lived-experience roles increased, decreased, or stayed the same over the past 18 months?
b. Any anticipated change in the number of PSW roles over the next 18 months (optional/if available).
If the information is not held centrally, please provide it in the form that is available.
Thank you for your assistance.

