Introducing New Peer Worker Roles into Mental Health Services in England: Comparative Case Study Research Across a Range of Organisational Contexts

Gillard, Steve; Holley, Jess; Gibson, S. L.; Larsen, John; Lucock, Mike; Oborn, Eivor; Rinaldi, Miles; Stamou, Elina

doi:10.1007/s10488-014-0603-z

Cited by 66 publications

(75 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…However, consistent with these findings, previous research has indicated that peer support is not a tokenistic but has multiple benefits for the peer to service users and co‐workers (Nestor & Galletly, ). In order for these benefits to be realized, and for the successful introduction of the PSW role in mental health services, the challenges identified need to be overcome, with a specific focus on professional boundaries and organizational culture (Gillard, Edwards, Gibson, Owen, & Wright, ; Gillard et al., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Considerable work has examined the strengths and weakness of PSWs; however, limited research has explored the views of the staff working with them and how it will be integrated into practice. Challenges to integration have previously been identified in the literature as a consequence of employing PSWs including; work environment, lack of clear job descriptions, lack of skills to utilize lived experiences and negative aspects of carrying a peer provider label (Gillard et al., ; Moran, Russinova, Gidugu, Yim, & Sprague, ). Personal mental health challenges were also a concern including overwork and symptom recurrence (Berry, Hayward, & Chandler, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tokenistic or genuinely effective? Exploring the views of voluntary sector staff regarding the emerging peer support worker role in mental health

Kilpatrick

Keeney

McCauley

2017

Psychiatric Ment Health Nurs

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Aim Peer support worker (PSW) roles are gaining recognition internationally as a valuable component in mental health service delivery. The aim of this study was to explore the views of mental health voluntary sector staff regarding the emergence of this role. Method A qualitative research design was used. A purposive sample was employed. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 10 staff members in various positions in two voluntary mental health organizations. Interview transcripts were analysed thematically. Results Views varied on the PSW role with some participants stating that it was tokenistic, whereas others highlighted the value of its contribution. Participants' expressed concerns regarding professional boundaries and organizational cultural challenges that PSWs may encounter in their role. The provision of reasonable adjustments was recommended as an integral support mechanism. Conclusion Successful integration of the PSW requires careful consideration of the role, the workplace environment and the unique needs of the peer, to prevent the role becoming constrained and diluted. Implications for practice The PSW role may impact the traditional delivery of mental health nursing services. It is therefore essential that nurses are cognizant of these potential challenges to successfully facilitate the integration of PSWs in practice.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tokenistic or genuinely effective? Exploring the views of voluntary sector staff regarding the emerging peer support worker role in mental health

Kilpatrick

Keeney

McCauley

2017

Psychiatric Ment Health Nurs

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“…The first part of the interview comprised a structured questionnaire exploring implementation issues related to the peer worker role developed from current literature and expertise within the research team. A comparative, crosscase analysis of this structured data is reported elsewhere (Gillard et al 2014c). The second part of the interview comprised open-ended questions exploring participants' personal experiences of the introduction of peer worker roles, what they felt to be the essence of the peer worker role, and what they thought constituted successful introduction of the role.…”

Section: Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Peer Worker Roles and Risk in Mental Health Services: A Qualitative Comparative Case Study

Holley

Gillard

Gibson

2015

Community Ment Health J

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New peer worker roles are being introduced into mental health services internationally. This paper addresses a lack of research exploring issues of risk in relation to the role. In-depth interviews were carried out with 91 peer workers, service users, staff and managers. A grounded analysis revealed protective practice in minimising risk to peer worker well-being that restricted the sharing of lived experience, and a lack of insight into how peer workers might be involved in formal risk management. Alternatively, analysis revealed potential new understandings of risk management based on the distinctive, experiential knowledge that peer workers brought to the role.

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“…In addition, the results from this study reveal that communication at eye level, respect, and having a humane approach, are values which are not self‐evident in all relations with PSSs (Gillard et al, ). They can also be seen as a confirmation of the results related to the challenges of integration into the working field and openness of the team to PSSs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

Peer support in Switzerland – Results from the first national survey

Burr

Rother

Elhilali

et al. 2019

Int J Mental Health Nurs

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Peer work is now known in Switzerland for 10 years and has developed strongly. The aim of the study was to describe peer support specialists’ (PSSs’) work conditions and job satisfaction, as well as the challenges of integration into the workforce in Switzerland. A further aim was to identify possible development topics in the preparation of PSSs for working with peer support work (PSW) training and interventions within the working field. We launched a survey with a self‐developed questionnaire for people with lived experiences with mental illness and recovery who were working as PSSs or experts by experience in education, research, politics, and other areas in the German‐speaking region of Switzerland. The survey took place from 1 September 2017 to 15 November 2017. The results show that PSSs were working mostly in 1:1 contact with service users and in education and noticeably less in politics and research. Their work conditions and job satisfaction seemed good. Most PSSs had job descriptions matching their duties, were satisfied with their salaries, and indicated being satisfied or very satisfied with their work. Amongst other aspects, the greatest challenge reported was integration into the inter‐disciplinary working team. PSS training should better consider the working areas of experts by experience in the fields of politics and research to reinforce employment opportunities in these work areas. To increase the impacts of PSSs and to improve integration into the workspace, the preparation of professionals and institutions should be improved by means of information sessions, trainings, and guidelines.

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Introducing New Peer Worker Roles into Mental Health Services in England: Comparative Case Study Research Across a Range of Organisational Contexts

Cited by 66 publications

References 30 publications

Tokenistic or genuinely effective? Exploring the views of voluntary sector staff regarding the emerging peer support worker role in mental health

Tokenistic or genuinely effective? Exploring the views of voluntary sector staff regarding the emerging peer support worker role in mental health

Peer Worker Roles and Risk in Mental Health Services: A Qualitative Comparative Case Study

Peer support in Switzerland – Results from the first national survey

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