We know that without support to foster peer relationships, and to work in challenging systems, peer workers are not able to thrive in their work. Supervision is an essential element of the support that peer workers should expect to receive. This webinar will explore what supervision for peer workers should look like, including the approaches we might use, the challenges we might encounter, as well as the evidence and best practice available to us.
Using the recent briefing paper, ‘supervision for peer workers’, we will map out what peer workers often receive in terms of supervision, and the most helpful elements of supervision for peer workers. Imroc will share their experiences and learning from facilitating peer informed supervision training, and open up the conversation so that we can collectively reflect on what’s needed in supervising peer workers.
What to Expect
This webinar will delve into the critical role of supervision in supporting peer workers, ensuring they can thrive in their roles while navigating challenging systems.
Emma will begin with a 20minute presentation on her recent publication on the subject. Danny and Emma will then have a discussion, before opening up to questions and reflections from Attendees.
Participants will explore:
What effective supervision for peer workers looks like.
Different approaches to peer-informed supervision.
Common challenges in supervision and strategies to address them.
Current evidence and best practices in the field.
Using insights from the recent briefing paper, Supervision for Peer Workers, we will examine what peer workers typically receive in terms of supervision and identify the most valuable aspects of effective support. Emma will share key learnings from Imroc’s peer-informed supervision training, providing grounded insights and generating a collective discussion on what is needed.
Key Takeaways & Benefits of Attending
A clear understanding of the essential elements of supervision for peer workers.
Practical strategies for implementing effective supervision models.
Insights into best practices from Imroc’s peer-informed supervision training.
An opportunity to engage in collective reflection and discussion with peers.
Access to the latest research and guidance from the Supervision for Peer Workers briefing paper.
This session is ideal for peer workers, supervisors, managers, and anyone involved in peer support programs looking to strengthen supervision practices and enhance the effectiveness of peer work.
Registration
Email events@imroc.org before 11th April 2025 to book a free place.
Speakers
Danny Bowyer
Danny Bowyer is a dedicated mental health advocate and Peer Support (Mental Health) Programme Lead at Imroc, where he advances peer support initiatives across health and social care.
His journey into peer support began over 12 years ago when he was first supported by a peer worker—an experience that shaped his career. He later trained as a peer support worker, working in a recovery college and training others in the field.
At Imroc, Danny leads the design and delivery of peer support training, focusing on lived experience, recovery principles, and systemic influences on mental health. He has also contributed to supervision models that address the unique challenges of peer workers.
A regular speaker at conferences, Danny shares insights on embedding peer support within mental health services. Based in Peterborough, he continues to advocate for recovery-focused approaches in mental health care.
Emma Watson
Emma Watson is the programme lead at Imroc for Research, Evaluation, Publications and Development, and the Peer Support Lead at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. As Peer Support Lead, she has led the strategic introduction of peer support workers into a range of clinical services, establishing training and supervision processes to support this development. Prior to this, Emma worked in a number of peer roles, including peer support worker, peer supervisor, peer trainer and peer researcher. Emma was among the first peer workers to be employed in Nottingham NHS Trust in 2010; an experience which transformed her own recovery, as well as her understanding of the power of lived experience.
As a programme lead at Imroc, Emma aspires to centre lived experience perspectives in research and publications, and offer accessible, creative ways for knowledge to be developed and shared. She is leading on the development of an MSc in Lived Experience Leadership as well as overseeing Imroc’s research and evaluation projects. Emma's commitment to advancing peer support is further demonstrated through her extensive research publications. She has authored numerous articles, as well as co-authoring the book "Peer Support in Mental Health," which provides an in-depth exploration of peer support concepts and practices. Her PhD explored peer support in the context of an NHS service, especially how this context changes or constrains peer support, and how individual peer workers resist this process.