The implementation of a peer support scheme in an assertive rehabilitation ward in high secure forensic services
| Pages | 222-229 |
| Date | 14 August 2017 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-05-2017-0023 |
| Published date | 14 August 2017 |
| Author | Tori Wolfendale,Angella Musaabi |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Social inclusion |
The implementation of a peer support
scheme in an assertive rehabilitation
ward in high secure forensic services
Tori Wolfendale and Angella Musaabi
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the implementation of a peer support
volunteer scheme in a high secure setting and to explore the peer support volunteer’s experiences
conducting this role, based predominantly on an assertive rehabilitation ward.
Design/methodology/approach –This paper has outlined the implementation of the peer support
volunteer scheme in a high secure setting and has explored the peer support volunteer’s experiences
conducting this role and has explored the views of newly transferred patients who have accessed this
scheme. The peer support scheme is based predominantly on an assertive rehabilitationward. The data have
been collected through the completion of detailed questionnaires that have been disseminated to
participants through the clinical team.
Findings –This paper has outlined the implementation of a peer support scheme on an assertive
rehabilitation ward within a high secure forensic mental health setting. This paper has explored the role and
experiences of a peer support volunteer on an assertive rehabilitation ward and has explored the experience
from a service recipient’s perspective also through the completion of questionnaires. This paper has explored
the overall benefits of peer support within mental health services to both the volunteer, staff members and to
a patient newly admitted to the ward, and has identified the skills that the volunteer is able to develop following
contribution in to the peer support scheme.
Practical implications –This paper has acknowledged that there have been challenges introducing this
particular scheme into mental health service teams. Challenges have included establishing appropriate
boundaries and dilution of the role due to power imbalances, both between the peer support volunteer and
the service recipient, but also between the clinical team that supervises the overall peer support scheme
(Christie, 2016). The clinical team within this particular ward have been mindful with regards to the approach
that has been utilised and has therefore, included the service users within the overall development of the
scheme to encompass the recovery principles, but have continued to review the progression as a team and
have taken into consideration all aspects of relational security.
Originality/value –The paper relating to the implementation of the peer support volunteer scheme in a
high secure setting has not been published before and is not under consideration for publication with
another journal.
Keywords Occupational therapy, Mental health, Peer support, Forensic mental health
Paper type Case study
Introduction
The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the implementation of a peer support
volunteer scheme in a high secure setting and to explore the peer support volunteer’s
experiences conducting this role, based predominantly on an assertive rehabilitation ward.
Broadmoor Hospital is a specialist high secure forensic mental health service that
provides assessment, treatment and care in conditions of high security for men from
London and the South of England (West London Mental Health Trust (WLMHT), 2016).
The hospital is part of West London Mental Health NHS Trust, one of the largest providers of
mental health care in England, which delivers a range of services to a culturally diverse
Tori Wolfendale is a Senior
Forensic Occupational
Therapist at the Department of
Occupational Therapy,
Broadmoor Hospital, West
London Mental Health NHS
Trust, Crowthorne, UK.
Angella Musaabi is a Clinical
Nurse Manager at Broadmoor
Hospital, West London Mental
Health NHS Trust,
Crowthorne, UK.
PAGE222
j
MENTALHEALTH AND SOCIAL INCLUSION
j
VOL. 21 NO. 4 2017, pp. 222-229, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308 DOI 10.1108/MHSI-05-2017-0023
To continue reading
Request your trial