RTO 91296
Course in Mental Health Peer Navigation
11275NAT
Develop the knowledge and skills to support consumers with navigating the mental health system, to find meaningful supports for their recovery journey.
Course overview
Peer Navigation is a relatively new and emerging space in the mental health peer work sector. Research, consultation and industry engagement in NSW and across Australia identified a strong need to develop the literacy of peer navigation in the mental health and mental health peer work sector, as well as clear skill and knowledge benchmarks that can support consistent vocational outcomes for peer navigators.
This course will provide graduates with a range of knowledge and skills to support consumer and/or carer peers to navigate the mental health system including individual and systemic barriers related to ongoing mental health support and recovery.
Units of competency
This course involves the new accredited unit:
| NAT11275001 | Navigate systems for mental health peer support and recovery |
Course Delivery
- 4 x 7.5-hour online sessions (30 hours in total)
- Optional additional 2-hour assessment support workshop
- Content for the module will be accessed through MHCC’s online learning system, Canvas, and will include a Resource Book with activities that will take another approximately 10 hours in total
- Assessment for the unit is submitted to Canvas on a predetermined assessment schedule
- Attendance is required for all four online classes, except in cases of exceptional circumstances
- Learners will be required to undertake 3 assessment tasks
- All learners are required to have access to a computer or device along with stable internet connection to access the online learning system and attend any online classes and support sessions.
Learning outcomes
Throughout the course, you will learn and explore:
- Definitions, scope and applications of peer navigation
- Identify, explore and respond to consumer needs
- Tools for navigating systems in line with consumer priorities and needs
- How to promote autonomy, self-determination, choice, control and internal resourcing when accessing and connecting with supports and systems
- How to collect and apply feedback to improve the peer navigation service
- Relevant mental health systems, their role and how they work
- Individual and collective lived experience knowledge relating to perspectives and experiences of mental health services, systems and recovery
Course outcomes
Gain practical experience and develop specialist skills that support your professional learning and career development
- A nationally recognised unit of competency at a Certificate IV level
- Skills and knowledge to work as a Mental Health Peer Navigator
- In depth knowledge of barriers to mental health service access, support and recovery
- Application of knowledge of mental health services and systems to support integrated care and consumer decision making
Eligibility
The Peer Navigation course is recommended for individuals who have a minimum of six (6) months experience working in a consumer or carer peer worker in mental health and/or suicide prevention.
Assumed skills and knowledge
The following skills and knowledge are assumed when undertaking this course:
- Foundational peer work approaches and philosophy
- Using lived experience and safe storytelling practices with consumers and/or carers
- Understanding of trauma-informed and recovery-oriented practice including recovery-oriented language
You must also meet the following criteria:
- Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or a holder of a permanent residence visa, or a migrant, refugee or asylum seeker holding a temporary or bridging visa providing work and/or study rights
- No longer be in school, in accordance with the relevant State’s school leaving requirements
- Learners at the time of application are not in receipt of another Commonwealth or State/Territory bursary or scholarship
- Be able to meet the attendance and study requirements to complete the peer work course
- In a consumer or carer peer work role (paid or unpaid) in mental health and/or suicide prevention with at least 6 months experience
To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:
- Empathy, patience and the desire to empower others
- Be in a place in your personal recovery journey that you are willing and able to support others
- Good organisational and time management skills Good written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work independently and in groups
Learning and support services
MHCC employs a team of Student Support Officers to support learners through the full student journey, from enquiry through to completion. This support can be accessed by phone or email.
Students can also access support through the online learning system. This system gives access to:
- Email access to trainers or assessors
- Live chat with MHCC support staff
MHCC is committed to ensuring access and equity principles are upheld at all times. MHCC can provide some support and reasonable adjustments to students with identified support needs; however, appropriate referrals are recommended for those requiring additional LLND and employability skills assistance.
To support the range of potential learning, physical and/or mental health challenges that students may encounter, MHCC provides tailored support services including, but not limited to:
- Assessment extensions
- 80% online class attendance
- Learner support
- Disability support including reasonable adjustments
- Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital (LLND) support
- Culturally specific and safe support services
- Study skills support and assessment workshops
- Learning resources to use while studying online
- Making learning materials available in alternative formats
- Careers and pathways support
- Scholarship programs – be supported as you explore your skills
- Transfers to other programs (if available)
- Course deferrals
- Refunds on withdrawals under specified terms
Further information on how to access these can be found in the Learner Handbook and by contacting Student Support. Visit our Student Hub for information on MHCC’s RTO policies and procedures.
Environment, facilities and location
Courses are delivered online. All learners are required to have access to a computer or device along with stable internet connection to access the online learning system and attend any online classes and support sessions. All other resources, materials, and templates needed are provided during the course of study.
Scholarship places
Scholarship places funded by the NSW Ministry of Health are available for this course. Scholarships provide the opportunity for people to gain access to relevant, quality training. The scholarships aim to develop the peer workforce to meet the evolving needs of the mental health sector. To be eligible you must live and/or work in NSW and meet the course eligibility requirements.
See here for more information.
Recognition process
On enrolment, students will be asked to identify any options for recognition of prior learning or credit transfer. Students have the opportunity to enrol into a full or partial recognition program.
Recognition of Prior Learning – full recognition
This assessment only option is most suited to workers with current industry experience of 3 or more years and with specific knowledge and skill in the competencies contained in the 11275NAT Course in Mental Health Peer Navigation. Students who believe they already have the skills and knowledge required for the qualification can apply for an RPL process and are assessed on a individual basis.
The Learner Handbook in the Student Hub and the MHCC website provide information for potential students on the delivery and assessment options available.
FAQs
What is Peer Navigation?
To understand Peer Navigation, we have to understand how peer work is different from typical roles within the system:
- Peer Work is not just a worker with lived experience
- Peer Work is more than just having a personal lived experience, it is harnessing these experiences in line with peer work philosophy and the broader collective lived experience and grassroots thinking.
- Peer Work has foundational differences in the relationship and approach. There are key values like mutuality and reciprocity which speak to Peer Workers not being the ‘expert’, but rather learning together.
Peer Navigation is not just about linking in to services, but understanding someone’s worldview, what they need, what they want and mapping ideas and options together in a way that is collaborative and holistic. It is about exploring service options, but also informal community supports that supports meaningful community connection outside of systems.
What makes Peer Navigators different to typical service navigators?
Peer navigators have a different relational approach that focuses on connection and mutuality. It is using peer work practice and philosophy to support self-exploration and discovery to generate ideas based on someone’s wants and needs. Typical service navigators tend to see linking to services/programs as the goal, whereas Peer Navigators will explore connection options outside of systems and programs based on the wants and needs of the person.
Peer Navigators are not ‘case managers’, and they are not typical service/system navigators. The intention of the role may be similar, but the approach and practice are different. The priority is maintaining the ‘peer’ in peer navigation to truly provide something transformative within system navigation.
Outside of lived experience, how does peer work philosophy differ to typical support worker approaches?
Peer work philosophy has fundamentally different approaches to the relationship and the work in general. Peer work is about learning together, rather than being an expert or advice giver. Typical support worker approaches are often based on ‘outcome’ centrered work and dependence on formal supports (this is usually due to funding and KPI’s), rather than relational work. Peer Work seeks to understand and connect as priority, rather than trying to ‘get’ anyone to do anything. Peer Workers are entirely driven by the person we are connecting with; they take the lead.
Who can do this course?
The 11275NAT Course in Mental Health Peer Navigation is specifically for people who have mental health lived experience, as either a consumer or carer, and are either working (paid or voluntary) as peer workers or peer navigators or would like to in the near future.
Can I complete the course if I am not currently working as a peer worker/navigator?
Although no work placement hours are required for the unit of competency in this course, it is recommended that applicants have a minimum of six (6) months paid or volunteer experience as a consumer and/or carer peer worker.
Can I be a Peer Navigator as a Peer Worker?
The Peer Navigation course provides skills, tools and perspectives that could be used in any peer work role but have been tailored to build on sharing system knowledge, mapping options (in and out of services) and fostering self-exploration to identify what really matters and make meaningful plans relevant to the person.
What does studying this unit give me? Can I work as a Peer Navigator?
Peer Navigator roles are continually evolving across organisations and the sector. Defining the scope of peer navigation is similar to defining the scope of peer work, there are similar bounds and parameters. What will be different in the sector, is peer navigation positions have capacity to be in different contexts within our system, that we have not typically seen peer work placed. E.g. emergency departments, GP clinics, and general health wards. The position could be placed anywhere which opens lots of possibilities for better connections and relationships across the sector and the community.
Students will receive a Statement of Attainment for one unit of competency.
If I have been a peer worker/navigator for a long time, can I get credit?
You may be eligible to gain recognition for skills and knowledge you have already gained through work experience or previous training. You will need to contact MHCC to discuss the process. Credit transfer is not available for NAT11275001 Navigate systems for mental health peer support and recovery at this time as it is a new release.
Can I complete this unit as an elective in the CHC43515 Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work?
It may be possible for you to complete this unit as an elective in the CHC43515 Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work with MHCC at the point of enrolment. Contact MHCC if you would like to discuss this option.
What will I get when I complete the course?
Upon successfully completing all requirements for this course, you will be issued with a Statement of Attainment for one unit of competency, NAT11275001 Navigate systems for mental health peer support and recovery. This will be issued to you within 28 days of you being deemed competent.
Is funding available to complete this course?
Scholarships provided through the NSW Ministry of Health are available subject to eligibility.
I have a question about course, who can I contact?
You can contact our Student Support team on 02 9060 9030 or at training@mhcc.org.au.