Aims
Competences covered in this unit
Ability to draw on knowledge of an individual’s right to control their health and wellbeing.
Ability for the peer support worker to help people:
- navigate the systems with which they are in contact
- understand the policies, processes or legal structures that might affect them
- be aware of their rights in the mental health care system
- understand the choices and options they may have over the care they receive
Ability for the peer support worker to amplify the voice of the person they are supporting.
Ability to help people raise and discuss questions and concerns about their care with relevant professionals.
Ability to help people plan (and rehearse) how they could raise concerns about their care (for example, with whom and in what settings)
Ability to speak on a person’s behalf to promote their needs, aims and rights in situations such as treatment team meetings, with organisations and services, and with family members.
Ability to work with people being supported to address problems with, or barriers to, accessing organisations and services, or infringement of their rights.
Ability to listen to a person’s complaints or concerns about their care or treatment and respond in a prompt, open and constructive way.
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