Objective 5.4:
Skill up and diversify our workforce
Action 5.4.5:
Expand and develop the Indigenous workforce and peer workforce in mental health, suicide prevention and alcohol and other drug treatment services
Queensland Health developed the Queensland Health Mental Health Framework Peer Workforce Support and Development 2019 (the Framework). This Framework was a key deliverable under Connecting care to recovery 2016-2021: a plan for Queen land’s state-funded mental health alcohol and other drug services and has been designed to improve state-wide support and consistency for the mental health peer workforce. The Framework includes parameters relating to the scope of practice and core competencies for peer workers, and is aligned to the Queensland Mental Health Commission’s Queensland Framework for the Development of the Mental Health Lived Experience Workforce.
The Framework was developed in partnership between Hospital and Health Services and the Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs Branch, Department of Health, with a reference group established from the Queensland Health mental health peer workforce engaged to guide the development of the document. The Framework outlines lived experience and carer roles and recognises the importance of both in a peer workforce in mental health. The Framework also outlines peer work values, employment principles, peer worker support and development and a full set of role descriptions to assist the Hospital and Health Services in their recruitment and retention processes.
Key achievements
Development of the state-wide Queensland Health Mental Health Framework Peer Workforce Support and Development 2019
Key learnings
The Framework involved a co-design process ensuring that the peer workforce from each Hospital and Health Service contributed their expert advice and experience.
What’s next?
In 2020 further work will be undertaken to develop peer workforce supervision guidelines and a training plan to support the workforce.
