Peer Support Practice

Certificate

Course Details

Course Code	GA_SPSPC_S08
Level	8
Duration	1 year
Credits	30
Method of Delivery	Online
Campus Locations	Mayo
Mode of Delivery	Part Time

Apply Now How to Apply

Apply Now How to Apply

Course Overview

This programme provides students with an education for professional practice in peer support work. This includes disability / neurodiversity, addiction services, physical health (particularly in dementia care), and mental health / emotional distress.

Have you had a lived experience of emotional or physical distress? Have you had a family member who has suffered mental or physical health challenges? Have you reached a point in your recovery that you feel in a position to use your lived experience to help others in their recovery journeys? If so, this course may be for you. The course offers you the skills to work as a professional peer support worker who can provide non-judgemental, peer-led support to people who are experiencing mental and physical health challenges. The programme meets the need to develop systematic education and preparation for professional peer-support practitioners in the statutory and non-statutory sectors and in a number of diverse practice domains.

Graduates from the Peer Support Certificate have multiple further award pathways. They may build on their 30 credits to complete full Degrees in a number of disciplines.

Recommended Study Hours per week

Lectures are held throughout the week from Monday to Thursday. It is recommended that students should try to allow for 2 hours per week per 5 credit module to their studies.

Examination and Assessment

100% continuous assessment.

On-Campus Attendance Requirement

No attendance required.
Note: Check programme Examination and Assessment requirements, as they may involve examinations to be taken on campus.

Download a prospectus

Undergraduate Prospectus Online, Flexible & Professional Development Prospectus

Entry Requirements

Level 7 award in a cognate discipline. If you don’t have such an award then your Recognised Prior Experience will be assessed. Students must have an integrated lived experience relevant to peer support practice.

Fees

Total Fees EU: €2000

Further information on fees

Careers

The proposed Special Purpose Award provides training and education for a very clearly defined cohort of professional practitioners in peer-support practice. Potential employers are the HSE, voluntary and community organisations. Peer-support work is becoming an important feature of health and social care service delivery nationally.

Qualified Peer Support Workers will be eligible to take up peer support roles in the HSE and the NGO sector. There will also be opportunities in recovery education with the HSE and other organisations. Graduates of the course will also be able to input into service improvement processes in organisations. Peer support workers will also be equipped to work in health and wellbeing settings across a range of community and other settings.

Potential employment roles include:

Peer support workers
Family peer workers
Peer Educators
Peer managers
Area Leads for Engagement
Peer Researchers
Peer Advocates
Community Connectors
Professionals with Lived Experience

Further Information

Who Should Apply?

This programme is suitable for those seeking to work as professional Peer Support or Family Peer Support workers in areas of mental and/or physical health practice.