Managing Workers with Lived Experience

This course will help participants understand the ethical rights of workers who experience mental health conditions including the right to freedom from stigma, stereotypes and assumptions, the recognition of changing needs and the right to self-determination.

Course outline

Managing Workers with Lived Experience is for managers, team leaders and HR professionals who support a peer workforce and wish to build their skills to create a supportive and safe workplace. It explores and describes management practices that promote good mental health. Participants learn to distinguish between mental health and performance issues, and gain valuable insight into the impact that mental health conditions might have on capacity to work.

Course details

Participants will become familiar with the legal requirements relating to mental health in the workplace including WHS and Common Law, anti discrimination laws, the Privacy Act, reasonable adjustment under the Disability Discrimination Act, performance issues and dismissal under the Fair Work Act.

Course outcomes

• The benefits of looking after workers mental health
• Legal requirements relating to mental health in the workplace
• The ethical rights of a person who is experiencing mental health concerns
• Proactive prevention of harm to mental health such as wellness plans
• Distinguishing between mental health concerns and performance issues, and how to respond to a performance issue that is related to mental health
• Adjusting the workplace for mental health needs
• Self-care for managers
• Discover the many benefits peer work bring to an organisation and the people they support, including the value of knowledge gained from lived experience and storytelling.
• Explore how to promote the use of lived experience in a way that respects peer workers and promotes their wellbeing.
• Learn about the purpose of peer work and the principles that guide peer work practice so that these can guide your recruitment and supervision.
• Discuss ways of responding to possible challenges such as stigma in the workplace, stress associated with the peer work role and the response of other workers.
• Consider a variety of professional development opportunities for peer workers and build skills in having sensitive conversations about worker mental health.

Who is this for?

• Managers of peer workers and people with lived experience
• Team leaders
• HR Professionals
• People who support peer workers

This course, and all of Mental Health Coordinating Council’s professional development training, can be tailor-made to your workforce and delivered at your workplace. Contact us to find out more training@mhcc.org.au