Roles and responsibilities of a peer visitor
The standards of practice for peer support include lived experience; a set of rules that certified peer visitors agree to follow; acquired experience through providing peer support and competencies including a natural talent and acquired skills that are needed to provide peer support (PSACC 2016).
Roles:
The roles and responsibilities of a peer visitor include a diverse range of tasks
Responsibilities:
The responsibilities of being a peer visitor are very important and are the framework for becoming a successful peer visitor. These responsibilities include:
- Updating skills and knowledge on a regular basis
- Understanding the role and principles that shape that role
- Maintaining confidentiality of peer contacts
- Maintaining current resource information to distribute during the visit
- Avoiding endorsement of any specific product, service, provider, or manufacture.
Instructor Notes:
Concepts: Key Concepts to Cover
- The diverse roles of a peer support
- e.g provide hope, encouragement and a safe welcoming environment etc…
- The responsibilities of a peer support
- e.g keeping on top of essential knowledge and skills, maintaining confidentiality etc…
Reflective Exercise Facilitation:
- Ask the class: if there are other roles or responsibilities they think should also be included for a peer visitor?
- Ask class to raise their hands if they have an idea to contribute
