Peer Support-Led Interventions in Forensic Settings: Listening to Service Users and Peer Support worker’ Perceptions and Experiences

Abstract

ABSTRACT Repeatedly, peer support (PS) research in mental health settings has indicated the influential impact of PS on recovery outcomes, including community reintegration and overall quality of life. Despite these findings, and the bolstering of PS in UK healthcare policy, PS remains underdeveloped in UK mental health settings. This is particularly pronounced in forensic mental health settings where the development of PS has remained heavily restricted by application difficulties in secure care models. The current study aims to provide one of the first in-depth explorations of PS experiences for both service users (SUs) and peer support workers (PSWs) in UK forensic mental health services. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 participants (ten SUs, three PSWs) and analyzed using thematic analysis. Four primary themes were identified detailing the experiences and challenges of forensic-based PS: Experiences of PS from SU perspective; Experiences of PS from PSW perspective; Contrasting care: Addressing the “Us and them” divide, and Further service development. Recommendations identified for progressing PS center on integration improvements, increasing the variety of peer-led interventions, and incorporating PS’s “flexible” nature into traditional models of care. Further action is needed to develop and embed PS in forensic care, including guidance for the development of strategies and policy, and direction for future research.