What is the background to the Peer Support Grants?

A government inquiry into mental health and addiction in New Zealand, proposed the development of a resilient, diverse, skilled, and sustainable workforce that accurately reflects the communities it serves. It highlighted the importance of expanding the provision of peer support within multidisciplinary mental health teams.

Key actions include the growth and development of the peer support workforce and strengthening the voice of those with lived experiences within the workforce.

To support the growth and development of peer support workers, Careerforce is offering two grants, supported by funding from Health NZ Te Whatu Ora:  The grants cover the enrolment fees for the following programmes:  

Grant Programme
Peer Support MHA Grant (valued at $2000 Inc GST) NZ Apprenticeship in Health and Wellbeing Peer Support (Level 4)  >>More

Peer Support SCP Grant (valued at $700 Inc GST)

SCP (Supplementary Credit Programme) – Supporting a Person’s Mental Health and Addiction Wellbeing (Level 4) >>More

 

What is the purpose of the grants?

The funding of enrolment fees is intended to provide more opportunities for kaimahi (staff) with lived experience of mental health, addiction and gambling harm working within the mental health and addiction sector, to attain proficiency with the graduate outcomes of the qualification and programme. 

 

When are the grants available?

Applications for the grants open from Monday 29 July 2024 until 30 June 2026 (subject to continued funds being available). 

 

Why is Careerforce promoting these grants?

Careerforce is contracted to offer these grants by Health NZ Te Whatu Ora, when used to support the upskilling of Peer Support Workers through its Apprenticeship in Peer Support Programme, or the Supporting a Person’s Mental Health and Addiction Wellbeing – Supplementary Credit Programme.

 

Criteria for entry into the programmesPeer Support Apprenticeship Programme?

To be suitable for this training programme, kaimahi will need to:

  • Have lived experience and be able to reflect from personal experience and awareness of strategies to enhance own wellbeing and balance this with the learning and assessment.
  • Have a Self-Care/ Wellness Plan in place or be supported in developing one.
  • Be employed in a relevant Peer Work/Peer Support Worker role.
  • Have a working knowledge of Peer Support and Peer Support models.
  • Self-manage their learning.
  • Be working for at least 10-16 hours a week as a Peer Worker/Peer Support Worker
  • Have good access to the internet and digital device.
  • Have a good level of computer literacy, and able to complete practical assessment tasks.
  • Have a good level of proficiency in English.
  • Be able to identify appropriate attestors and observers.
  • Meet all the relevant Suitability Criteria for Programme Entry >>More

 

Supporting a Person’s Mental Health and Addiction Wellbeing (Level 4) SCP

To be suitable for this training programme, kaimahi will need to have completed one of the following apprenticeships:

  • Apprenticeship in Whānau, Community and Social Services 
  • Apprenticeship in Disability Support
  • Apprenticeship in Diversional Therapy
  • Apprenticeship in Community Health Work
  • Apprenticeship in Community Facilitation
  • Apprenticeship in Community Facilitation in Disability Support
  • Apprenticeship in Community Facilitation in Diversional Therapy
  • Apprenticeship in Social Services
  • Apprenticeship in Youth Work

Applicants may be accepted where an approved programme has been completed with another provider.

 

Who can apply for the grants?

  • Applicants must be employed in the mental health and addictions sector.
  • Applications can be made by an employer on behalf of the learner.
  • Learners applying for themselves must have the support of their employer.
  • There must be a robust self-care/wellness plan in place for learners.
  • Applications for grants cannot be considered if the applicant is already funded by other agencies, or is in receipt of other grants from any other organisation, such as ‘fees free’ etc., for the activity the application relates to.
  • Only NZ domestic residents will be eligible for these grants.

How is the learning delivered and assessed?

The NZ Apprenticeship in Health and Wellbeing Peer Support (Level 4) and the Supporting a Person’s Mental Health and Addiction Wellbeing (Level 4) SCP are both delivered as ‘full service’ enrolments.

With Full Service Enrolments, learners are assigned an assessor by Careerforce, and who provides full assessment services to the trainee for the duration of the training programme (marking assessments, providing feedback, and registering assessment results). However, workplace based training by its very nature is a tripartite relationship between the learner, the employer and Careerforce. The employer is still responsible for creating a supportive learning environment, tracking the training progress of their staff, providing additional supports to their staff learners as and when required (e.g. study time, mentor/buddy supports), and providing observations as evidence to support the assessment decision. 

 

How do I apply for a grant and enrol in the programmes?

The following steps apply for both the Peer Support MHA Grant and the Peer Support SCP Grant:

  • The applicant should check that they meet the suitability criteria for the programme.
  • The applicant should complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) form.
  • On completion of the EOI form, Careerforce will invite the applicant to attend an online interview. (We will aim to arrange an interview with the applicant within 14 working days of the receipt of an EOI).
  • We will advise the applicant if they have been successful and can be enrolled in the programme without incurring enrolment fees.
  • A Training Agreement will need to be completed by the workplace and the learner.

To help us respond to applications promptly, and avoid any delays, please ensure all relevant information is provided in the Expression of Interest Form. 

 

What happens if my application for a grant is successful?

Careerforce will determine eligibility for the grant and notify the applicant whether their application have been successful.

As with all Careerforce enrolled learners, successful applicants of the grant are required to be engaged and committed to their learning programmes. Learners are encouraged to try to manage their work and training commitments as best they can and complete them within the timeframe agreed between themself, their assessor and their employer.

 

What happens if my application for a grant is unsuccessful?

We will advise the applicant if their request has been unsuccessful and what other options might be available. 

 

Who can I contact if I have any questions?

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any queries.