Scottish Government

Evaluation Team:
Joanne McLean, Hannah Biggs, Indiya Whitehead, Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health.
Rebekah Pratt, University of Edinburgh.
Margaret Maxwell, University of Stirling

ISBN 978 0 7559 7717 8 (Web only publication)

This document is also available in pdf format (668k)

CONTENTS

Acknowledgements
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1 INTRODUCTION
Policy context
Background
Peer working principles
Pilot sites
Evaluation aims and objectives
Report format

2 METHODOLOGY
Introduction
Study design
Response
Limitations

3 ASSESSING THE PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTATION SET UP
Introduction
Commonalities and differences in pilot site approaches
Setting up Peer Support Worker Pilot Sites
National Perspectives

4 THE IMPACT OF THE ROLE OF THE PEER WORKERS ON SERVICE USERS
Introduction
The extent to which service users welcomed the peer support worker role
Assessing different types of impact
Offering hope
Helping service users to open up and acting as conduits
Encouraging service users to take control of their own recovery
Introducing new perspectives and strategies for wellness
Setting the impact on service users within a team context

5 THE IMPACT ON PEER SUPPORT WORKERS OF TAKING ON THE ROLE
Introduction
Anticipating and overcoming challenges
Developing a new role
Adapting to a new working environment and culture
Establishing boundaries with service users
Developing conducive working relationships with colleagues
Positive impacts
Absences from Employment

6 THE IMPACT OF THE ROLE OF THE PEER WORKERS ON THE SERVICE SYSTEM
Introduction
Changing the organisational culture
Impact on teams
Establishing appropriate levels of integration to NHS working practices
Unique and distinct features of peer support

7 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Introduction
Evidence supports roll-out of peer support working
Impact on service users
Impact on peer support workers
Impact on service system
Uniqueness of peer support
Factors that contribute to the effective implementation of peer support working
Building in sustainability
National support
Issues for further consideration

GLOSSARY
REFERENCES
APPENDIX 1: Pilot site case studies
APPENDIX 2: Service user questionnaire results
APPENDIX 3: Information sheet example and consent form
APPENDIX 4: Interview schedule for representatives of Recovery Innovations
APPENDIX 5: First interview schedule for those involved in national implementatio
APPENDIX 6: Interview schedule for inception interviews with local pilots and team leads
APPENDIX 7: First interview schedule for peer support workers
APPENDIX 8: Repeat interview schedule for peer support workers
APPENDIX 9: Service user questionnaire
APPENDIX 10: Interview schedule for service users
APPENDIX 11: Interview schedule for peer support service supervisors
APPENDIX 12: Interview schedule for professionals in wider service system
APPENDIX 13: Repeat interview schedule for those involved in national implementation
APPENDIX 14: Significant events analysis meeting recording form
APPENDIX 15: Examples of materials produced by peer support workers

List of Tables

Table 1.1: NHS Board and Pilot Sites
Table 2.1: Pilot Site Data Collection
Table 2.2: Pilot Site Data Collection
Table 3.1: Peer support worker deployment
Table 3.2: Peer support worker service delivery and support system
Figure 3.1: The many different components of the peer support worker

The views expressed in this report are those of the researcher and
do not necessarily represent those of the Department or Scottish Ministers.