Aims
Competences covered in this unit:
Ability for peer support workers to draw on their lived experience and knowledge of recovery- focused approaches, personal recovery and processes of self-determination.
Ability to draw on knowledge of the distinction between personal recovery and clinical recovery.
Ability to draw on the key principles of personal recovery-focused approaches, namely that:
- recovery is self-defined by the person experiencing a mental health difficulty
- what recovery looks like will vary from person to person
- recovery is about living a meaningful, satisfying and purposeful life
- recovery is unique to each person
- there is a focus on people’s strengths and on helping them to foster hope and optimism
- identify, define and work towards the life they want to live, and towards having a sense of autonomy over their life
- build the skills and strengths to manage challenges and setbacks
- build their sense of self-esteem and develop a positive identity
- support their ability to meet challenges in life through self-development and self-management
- social inclusion is usually an important feature of recovery
- recovery is a progressive process that takes place over time, and will include learning from setbacks
Ability to draw on knowledge of factors that can affect a person’s recovery (for example, societal factors, familial relationships, traumatic experiences and environmental influences).
Ability to understand the importance of helping people to become active participants in their own care.
Underpinning understanding and knowledge for peer support workers
Communication and engagement skills
Working in partnership. Supporting people as a peer support worker
Self-care and support
Optional skills – using psychological approaches to support personal recovery