Introduction of non-psychiatric trained mental health workers

The increased need for peer support workers and the aim of shifting from a secondary to primary setting result in an increased need for outreach services with service user support. Peer support workers become a part of the multidisciplinary team, focusing on using recovery innovations, which encourage mutuality and friendship. The peer support workforce then has an impact on the roles and responsibilities of surrounding workforces.

Proposed workforce impact

• The psychiatry workforce adapts to support the peer support workforce with a role in training

Sources or references

• Peer Support Worker, WorkingtogetherforRecovery.co.uk
• Peer Worker research Project, www.peerworker.sgul.ac.uk
• Mental Health Network NHS Confederation, (2012), Introducing Peer Support Workers into the workforce - your chance to get involved.
• Jacobson, (2012), What do peer support workers do? A job description. BMC Health Serv Res. 19;12:205

Additional research questions

• Who can provide the training of peer support workers?
• Do we already have examples of a service delivery model utilising peer support workers?

Some of the information in this section is provided by stakeholders and expert groups, and does not necessarily represent the views of the CfWI.