For students not seeking the Level 4 certificate, the course runs weekly over a length of six weeks.

For students who are seeking a Level 4 certificate, the course runs weekly over a length of twelve weeks.

Training days for the Developing Expertise in Peer Working course run from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. These days should be protected so the student is able to attend the training without interruptions.

The main days this training course are held are on are Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The occasional cohort will run on Thursdays. Dependent on the cohort your staff member is on will determine which day they attend training on. Training is held weekly online via Zoom.

Students will need this equipment for training days:

  • Zoom Application
  • Pen and paper
  • A laptop/computer/tablet with a webcam (either integrated or a separate one)
  • A charger for the laptop/tablet or a power main plug for computer
  • Microphone and speaker or a set of headphones with an integrated microphone
  • Internet connection (with an upload speed of 2.5 mbps and a download speed of 2.5 mbps)
  • Somewhere to attend the training from (ideally from home or a bookable office space/room)

Students will receive course materials and resources from the training team via email prior to and throughout the course, as and when needed.

Peer Educators, who have lived experience of health challenges and professional experience of peer working, will be delivering the course.

Yes, the Peer & Lived Experience Training Team are here to support students throughout the Developing Expertise in Peer Working course.

Students can request support by emailing our team’s Peer Training email: cnwl.peertraining@nhs.net. A member of the team will respond as soon as possible to arrange a suitable time on a Friday for a video call with the student.

Requests will be processed on a first come, first served basis.

Students may wish to request a particular Peer Educator, and they will endeavour to arrange to see them as soon as possible. Students may be seen more quickly if they do not have a preference of who they wish to speak to.

For a more specific answer for students taking the Level 4 accreditation, our answer can be found here.

The Peer & Lived Experience Training are here to support students throughout the Developing Expertise in Peer Working course including making reasonable adjustments to support any learning needs.

During enrolment, we ask if students have any learning needs and this is so we can do our best as a team to implement reasonable adjustments and ensure we can support them through the course.

Examples of potential reasonable adjustments can include: sending training materials earlier, adjusting the background colour of training slides to make them more accessible and allowing students to use fidget toys or other equipment to help them feel comfortable and able to concentrate during training days. This list of examples is not exhaustive.

As a team, if we become aware of any needs, we will endeavour to contact the student directly to have a discussion with them so we can understand how we can best support them through the course.

Whilst we cannot advise on a specific amount of study time, students should have protected time for training days, so they are able to attend them without interruption. Moreover, students will need some further protected time to complete the additional learning tasks set for them (either the reflective log or for the Level 4 accreditation there are the two assignments, the workbook and the reading log).

Discussing with your staff member on what their study needs are and the needs of the service/team they work in will allow you both to agree upon a suitable arrangement.

For a more thorough answer for the Level 4 accreditation, please click here.

If the student is not going up for Level 4 accreditation, they can expect to receive their certificate of completion within two weeks of the final training day.

For the Level 4 certificates, our answer can be found here.

No, you and your organisation do not have to pay to send students onto the Developing Expertise in Peer Working course.

Placing organisations receive a one-off payment for each student placed on the training.

There are many benefits to you as a manager or supervisor sending your staff member onto the Developing Expertise in Peer Working course. These include:

  • It is a way to support the continued professional development of your staff member (including the opportunity to earn a Level 4 certificate, if the staff member wishes to go for the accreditation)
  • The staff member can develop a greater sense of confidence
  • The staff member can deepen their understanding of peer support theory and working practice
  • The staff member can develop upon key skills for peer working, such as active listening, self-reflection and communication skills
  • Attendance of the course allows students to demonstrate the competences expected of peer workers, as laid out in Health Education England’s Competency Framework for Peer Workers

This list is not exhaustive but is there to highlight some of the key benefits to you, as a manager or supervisor of sending your staff member on the Developing Expertise in Peer Working course.