peer support

When we become confused about a situation, relationship or event we often turn to peers for support
and counsel, particularly peers who have faced similar problems. Our peers can readily step into
our shoes and picture roadblocks, possibilities and solutions from our perspective. If they have
successfully negotiated a course that we now face their example can provide hope, stamina, insight
and inspiration for the work we have yet to do.

Our goal at Ermha is to integrate peers into program teams so their knowledge and experience is as
widely available as possible. This will require:

• Structured and regular supervision provided by program supervisors
• Specialised initial, and then continuing, training for peer support workers
• That peer support workers are provided the same pay scale as support workers
• That peer support workers contribute to program development and not just work as program “add-ons”
• Specialised training for managers and supervisors of peer support workers
  The Australian Federal Government has recently allocated funds to increase the number of peer
  support workers and programs. Ermha will work to ensure that peer resources become available to
  current and future clients.