Foundations of Peer Work

An essential introduction to peer work for consumers and carers who are, or who want to be, peer workers.

Audience

Consumers or carers currently working as peer workers
People whose organisations have identified them as prospective peer workers
Students wanting to sample the Cert IV of Mental Health Peer Work

Aims

At completion of this course, students should be able to:

Understand a range of frameworks and approaches applicable to peer work
Understand the diversity of roles and skills required by a peer worker
Explore consumer and carer preferences, values, needs and goals
Work within international, national and state legislative frameworks including the Mental Health Act 2014 and the National Mental Health Standards
Navigate the mental health system in order to facilitate access to resources, information and services
Have a thorough understanding of ethical decision making, boundaries, duty of care and dignity of risk and how these impact on consumers, workers and organisations
Use their lived experience in meaningful and purposeful ways
Manage risk in sharing stories
Understand trauma, vicarious trauma, re-traumatisation and the importance of self-care
Be able to plan, resource, facilitate and evaluate groups common to peer work.

Outline

Workshop content will include:

Day 1 – Approaches and frameworks of peer work practice

Day 2 – Understanding the role of the peer worker

Day 3 – Legal and ethical considerations

Day 4 – Using lived experience effectively

Day 5 – Developing and facilitating groups

Cost

Mental Health Victoria member rate $671.25 (includes 25 per cent discount)

Non-member rate $895

All course materials are included.

To Register

Visit our registration page for upcoming training

Online Training – Zoom

This training will be delivered online via Zoom. A link along with materials for the course will be emailed to the participants one day prior.

Customised In-house Training

Mental Health Victoria can customise any of our training and professional development programs to meet your specific organisational needs, and then deliver online.

Mental Health Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as traditional custodians of the land on which it operates. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging, and value the rich history, unbroken culture and ongoing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to country.

Mental Health Victoria acknowledge those people touched directly and indirectly by mental health vulnerabilities, trauma, suicide and neurodiversity, and their families, kin, friends and carers. We acknowledge the ongoing contribution of those people in the mental health sector.

Mental Health Victoria values diversity. We advocate for a safe and inclusive society for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity, and uphold these values in all we do.