Mental Health Commission
The Western Australian Lived Experience (Peer) Workforces Framework (Framework) was developed by representatives across the mental health, alcohol and other drug (AOD) and suicide prevention sectors.
The intent of the Framework is to provide a contemporary approach to developing the Lived Experience (Peer) workforces in Western Australia (WA). Together with supporting resources, the Framework is a practical guide for building, embedding and sustaining diverse Lived Experience (Peer) Workforces across the mental health, AOD and suicide prevention sectors. It aims to guide and maintain the development of these workforces as a discipline in their own right, while responding to the specific needs of WA’s population and settings.
The Framework and guiding resources are intended to be practical and accessible for all stakeholders including:
- people who are in or heading into a Lived Experience (Peer) Work role
- organisations seeking to learn how to develop Lived Experience-led strategies and actions to engage thriving Lived Experience (Peer) Workforces
- funding bodies seeking to commission and fund organisations to build their Lived Experience (Peer) Workforces.
The Framework is supported by guiding resources including:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience led Peer Workforces and organisations (Guide): A Learning Tool for all lived experience workforces and organisations (Guide), which supports organisations with establishment, sustainability, and continuous improvements in the Aboriginal Lived Experience workforces space
- Toolkit for Organisational Actions, which is currently being developed and will be available here
- The Lived Experience Peer Worker Handbook, which outlines the nuances of Lived Experience (Peer) roles across different specialisations including service settings and locations.
In addition to the above-mentioned resources, to support the ongoing implementation of the Framework and recommended actions, there are several Lived Experience (Peer) workforces initiatives.
For enquiries, please contact LivedExperienceWorkforces@mhc.wa.gov.au.
Current Initiatives
The re-orientation to Lived Experience (Peer) Work course was delivered and concluded in early December 2024, with positive feedback provided by all attendees.
The course aimed to increase knowledge of the foundational principles of Lived Experience (Peer) work, and its history in various settings. It was open to both Lived Experience workers, emerging Lived Experience workers, and allies. The initiative showcased insights from industry leaders who have diverse expertise in the area, and was inclusive of the mental health, alcohol and other drugs and suicide prevention sectors.
The following resources have been created to support ongoing sector knowledge growth:
The Lived Experience Peer Worker Handbook (Handbook) outlines the nuances of Lived Experience (Peer) roles across different specialisations, including service settings and locations (community services, regional and remote, emergency departments, telehealth, inpatient and community treatment) across the mental health, AOD and suicide prevention sectors. It will reflect the diversity of Lived Experience (Peer) roles including leadership, peer support, research, policy development, systemic advocacy and education.
The Handbook is aimed specifically at the Lived Experience (Peer) workforces, however, it will alsobe of value to employers and those working alongside Lived Experience (Peer) workers.
HelpingMinds has been engaged to develop this important piece of work.
The aim of this initiative is to ensure students have access to contemporary and diverse Lived Experience (Peer) work concepts and approaches across a diversity of workforces including consumer, family carer, Aboriginal, LGBTQIA+, mental health, AOD, working in front line services, research, education, systemic advocacy etc.
Wellrounded has been engaged to lead this work in developing a criterion, identifying Lived Experience guest speakers and their engagement with education providers delivering peer work training.
A workshop was held in mid-2024 for the Lived Experience (Peer) workforces sector to come together to cocreate a shared understanding of the wisdom, skills, and/or qualifications of speakers that are best suited to represent the sector and enrich the educational experience of Lived Experience (Peer) students.
A pilot program is now underway with evaluation and outcomes anticipated in mid 2025.
A specialised Values Base Recruitment (VBR) package is aimed at supporting organisations in their recruitment processes for Lived Experience (Peer) positions to the mental health, AOD, and suicide prevention sectors. It is aimed at enhancing recruitment processes through contemporary frameworks and tools that align with the WA Lived Experience (Peer) values as outlined in the Framework. VBR more generally fosters positive workplace cultures and improves workforce retention across the sectors. Lived Experience principles and values are related to the needs of people who use services, including their family carer, kin and significant others. By operationalising those values, Lived Experience (Peer) workforces can effectively deliver services to achieve better outcomes.
Calean Consulting has been engaged to develop a VBR package and will partner with Mental Health Matters 2 and a consortium of skilled Lived and non-Lived Experience individuals and organisations to undertake this important piece of work. The package is anticipated for delivery in 2025.
Completed Initiatives
- Intentional Peer Support (IPS) training
- Lived Experience (Peer) work course
- Certificate IV and Peer Work Skills Set Opportunities
- Lived Experience (Peer) supervision course
- Peer Work Positives training
Page last updated22 April 2025
