CERT IV MENTAL HEALTH

PEER WORK –

TRAINING & SUPPORT

Background to the Cert IV in Mental health Peer Work• Community Services & Health ISC Mental

Health Peer Workforce Competency Development project - 2010

• Qualification endorsed by CSH ISC - 2012• Mental Health Peer Work Qualification

Development project – 2013-5

Peer Work Qualification Development project• To develop learner and trainer resources for the Cert

IV in Mental Health Peer Work• Funded by National Mental Health Commission and

coordinated by MHCC on behalf of CMHA

Consumer Peer Work

Stream

Carer Peer Work

Stream

Peer Leadership

Skill Set

Project aims• Ensure the Cert IV in Mental Health Peer Work is

available to consumer and carer peer workers across Australia

• Improve peer worker service delivery• Enhance management and support of peer

workforce• A knowledge base for peer work• Cement the peer workforce as an occupational group

in mental health

Driven by peer values

“The diversity and depth of lived experience perspectives involved in developing this qualification was outstanding and has come together into a program that will give our next generation of peer workers a brilliant edge.”

Training is designed for• Consumer or carers working in peer work roles

in government, private or community managed mental health services

• Working in a direct 1:1 support role that supports consumer or carer peers

Foundations of Peer Work (Days 1 – 8)• History and philosophy of peer work• Using lived experience and sharing stories• Understanding self and others (EI)• Approaches – strengths, values based, TA, Karpman,

mindfulness, ethical practice, coaching• Navigating the mental health service system• Peer work in the workplace• Group facilitation and dynamics• Continuous improvement, service evaluation,

professional development

Applied Peer Work (Days 9-14)

• Promote and facilitate self-advocacy • Work effectively in trauma informed care • Support self-directed physical health and wellbeing• Work effectively with carers • Cultural diversity / Working with Aboriginal People• Work Health and Safety

Trained by peer workers• Peer specific units to be delivered by people

with lived experience as a consumer or carer• Experience in working as peer workers• Qualified trainers• Co-trainer model - consumer and carer peer

work perspective• Working across public and community

managed services

Pilot project• Commenced in NSW in Sept 2014• 14 funded places provided to peer workers in

public and community managed services • Enabled refinement of resources, delivery and

assessment approach

Student support• Experience of training and study• Orientation to competency based learning• Assessment support

• Study skills • Assessment solutions• Workplace supports

Pilot participant feedback

‘I found the training provided me with a greater understanding of peer work and I gained practical skills which can apply to my work.

The training workshops were valuable for me, I not only left with increased knowledge but confidence and pride as a peer support worker.’

Training options• Face to face training • Recognition• NSW VET reform incentives• Traineeships• Metro and regional NSW• Designed for consumers and carers to

train together

Champions of Mental Health Peer Work

Building a national peer work trainer and assessor workforce to deliver the Cert IV

THANK YOUDo you have any questions about the Peer Work Qualification Project?Contact us at: training@mhcc.org.au