A comprehensive training programme for mental health peer support workers, based on the Competence Framework published by Health Education England
Care City in conjunction with UCLPartners and PPL piloted a standardised training and supervision model. The training course, based on the NCCMH competency framework and built with the contribution of PSWs and other experts used activities and case studies to develop skills such as communication and engagement, managing own lived experience and early intervention.
Delivered by Care City and UCLPartners, the course aimed to improve the knowledge and confidence of PSWs and enable them back into the workplace with an improved PSW network and skills to aid their progression.
Mental health problems affect all age groups and are a leading cause of disability and are very much at the forefront of thinking given the effects of the pandemic. More than two-thirds of adults in the UK (69%) report feeling somewhat or very worried about the effect COVID-19 is having on their life. Effective treatments exist but might only be accessed by 25% of young people and 36% of adults with a mental health problem. When accessed, treatment might be suboptimal and, even for people with more severe mental health problems, there may be limited long term support leading to increased use of crisis care and formal admissions.
The NHS Long Term Plan has sought to address this problem and have plans to significantly increase access to mental healthcare, but these plans are undermined by the limited availability of mental health staff within the system. One approach to addressing this problem is the development of the peer support role, where people who have experience of mental health problems provide interventions and support to others with mental health problems.
Peer support workers can, and already do, provide a range of evidence-based interventions which include brief (low intensity) psychological interventions for emerging and existing common mental disorders, personal and social support interventions (such as common navigation, befriending or mentoring) across the range of mental health problems, supporting self-management programmes for those with co-existing mental and physical health problems and crisis resolution interventions.
The challenge faced is that there is no standardised training and workplace progression for Peer Support Workers within North East and North Central London and Essex. Employment bands and responsibility can be different in various organisations, with varying remuneration schemes and contract types, a small number of permanent roles and a lack of standardised training. Coupled with limited support for sustainable implementation of the role, it can be difficult to develop permanent roles.
The training materials are now available for use by Mental Health Trusts nationwide.
Who’s involved? The key stakeholders
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Care City : Care City is a centre for healthy ageing innovation, research, and education. It is based in Barking and works across the four boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge, and Waltham Forest, with reach into Essex and surrounding areas through provision networks.
At the NCCMH, we care about people’s mental health and wellbeing. We believe that everyone should have equal access to high-quality mental health care, with a platform to voice their needs, at home and at work or in education, and in hospital and the community.
UCL Partners: We are a partnership of world-leading academic and clinical research centres, NHS organisations, industry, patients and others. We aim to harness research and innovation for excellent patient care and a healthier population.
PPL is a social enterprise that exists to promote better health, wellbeing and economic outcomes across the UK working with individuals, communities and the organisations that support them.
Health Education England (HEE) is part of the NHS, and we work with partners to plan, recruit, educate and train the health workforce.
Originally established as a Special Health Authority in 2012, we are now a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB), as of 1 April 2015, under the provisions of the Care Act 2014.
We believe that the most important resource the NHS has is its people. Without a skilled workforce there is no NHS. There are few careers that are as rewarding as one in the NHS, or that give you the opportunity to work with such a variety of people. Each and every one can make a difference to patients.
