Adoption Peer Mentor (Peer Mentoring Scheme)
Fixed Term: 12 months | Home Based with (travel across Tees Valley as required).
Employer: Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council (staff working for Adoption Tees Valley are employed by Stockton Borough Council)
- Are you an experienced adopter?
- Would you be willing to share your learning and experiences with other adopters to help and support them in their own journey?
Look no further! We have a fantastic opportunity for a Peer Mentor to join our team here at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, working for Adoption Tees Valley.
About Adoption Tees Valley
Adoption Tees Valley is the Regional Adoption Agency (RAA) serving Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees. Established in 2018, the RAA is an embedded partnership leading adoption policy, operational delivery and strategy across the Tees Valley region.
About the role
As part of our commitment to strengthen our support offer, weve secured funding from Adoption England to deliver Peer Mentoring. A Peer Mentor with lived experience can make a unique contribution to supporting adopters, offering reassurance, practical help and connection in a way that can feel more accessible than professional support. This role complements social work involvement, but does not replace professional assessment, intervention or therapeutic support.
You will provide early, empathetic, non-judgemental lived-experience support to approved adopters post-approval.
Peer Mentors will offer targeted support for up to 12 months to up to 10-12 families, through 1:1 contact, peer support sessions and social activities.
This is a part time role of 18 hours per week and the actual salary for the role is £12,063.
Flexible working applications are welcomed and will be given full consideration.
Key responsibilities include:
- Delivering 1:1 peer support via phone/video/messaging and in-person (as agreed), offering emotional support at key stages (e.g. transitions, post-placement).
- Sharing lived experience appropriately to normalise challenges and reduce anxiety; provide practical guidance on typical adoption processes.
- Planning and facilitating monthly peer groups/coffee mornings/workshops and family-friendly activities (typically supporting a cohort of 10-12 families).
- Signposting to relevant services, resources and training - while not providing professional/clinical advice.
- Maintaining clear boundaries, confidentiality and safeguarding practice; keep brief factual records and report concerns immediately.
- Attending induction/training and participate in regular supervision/1:1 support with a qualified experienced social worker.
What were looking for
You will be first and foremost, an adopter (adoptive parent), with significant experience of caring for an adopted child/children.
Youll be confident advocating for others, understand the impact of developmental trauma, and be highly organised with excellent time management, discretion and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
Adoption Tees Valley values applications from candidates ambitious to make a difference and motivated to deliver the best possible post adoption support.
For more detailed information about the role, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification included in the Supporting Documents section.
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council prides itself on being a great place to work where staff are trusted, valued and supported to make a positive contribution at work.
We offer an excellent total reward package, including:
- A competitive salary of up to £12,063
- Generous annual leave entitlement. Ability to purchase additional leave is also available.
- Generous Pension Scheme through the LGPS with ability to pay extra and plan for retirement.
- Access to a number of other employee benefits including learning and development opportunities, discounts at high street and online retailers, online GP appointments, an employee assistance programme and physiotherapy services.
For more information about working for Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, please visit the Careers section on our website:
Rewarding careers. We do that - Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council
For an informal discussion, please contact:
Vicky Johnson (Peer Mentoring Scheme Lead)
[email protected]
We are intending to interview on 29 June 2026 and you will receive notification through North East Jobs if you have been shortlisted.
We anticipate a high level of interest in this role and may close the vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date, therefore we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.
Important Applicant Guidance
Accuracy and Use of AI Tools: You must ensure that anything submitted in your application is factually accurate. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. Whilst we accept candidates may use AI tools within job applications; submissions must be truthful and relevant to your own experience.
Application Updates and Communication: All updates regarding your application, including interview invitations, will be sent from
[email protected] to the email linked to your North East Jobs account, and will also appear in the My Messages section of your account.
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions): This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 by virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended). Applicants are therefore required to disclose all criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings, including those which would normally be considered spent, subject to the filtering rules applicable under current legislation.
Right to Work: All applicants must provide valid proof of their right to work in the UK in accordance with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Councils statutory employment checks. Employment cannot commence or continue unless this has been verified.
Visa Sponsorship: The Council offers visa sponsorship only for a small number of specific roles where it is considered appropriate and necessary to meet service needs. Sponsorship is not guaranteed and is not relevant or applicable to most roles.
Council Principles: The Councils recruitment principles require fairness, transparency, and a commitment to attracting and developing local talent. Sponsorship will only be offered where there is clear, evidenced justification, such as significant recruitment difficulty or the need for specialist skills that cannot be met from the local labour market.
Limitations: Where an individual (prospective or existing employee) cannot demonstrate a valid right to work in the UK, and where visa sponsorship is not appropriate, justified or approved, the Council will be unable to progress or continue the appointment. This includes cases where an existing employees visa is due to expire and sponsorship is not granted.
