Neami is excited to announce we are embracing Intentional Peer Support (IPS) philosophy and practice for staff in all disciplines across the organisation.
IPS is a way of thinking about and inviting powerful transformative relationships. It inspires people in community, peer support, and human services settings to be intentional about the way we connect and build mutual relationships.
Neami’s rollout of IPS will involve training and ongoing co-reflection spaces. This will provide a foundation to guide Lived Experience relational practice in teams across the country.
We’ve partnered with Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC) to deliver this change, with support from Intentional Peer Support Central, the international IPS body.
To embed this change, we know it’s important that leaders undertake this work and co-create intentional workplaces that support relational practice to flourish.
IPS implementation began in October, with training for managers and Lived Experience leadership staff. This was followed by training delivered to Neami’s National Leadership Team in November.
Embracing IPS means staff working in a range of professional disciplines are being introduced to new ways of working. Our organisation-wide approach will support us to embed Lived Experience principles across all aspects of Neami’s work.
This is one of several key projects designed to inspire change and align practice outcomes. It complements our Collaborative Relational Practice ethos, philosophy and commitment.
Staff in designated Lived Experience positions will also continue to receive Neami’s Embodying Recovery training. Embodying Recovery was developed by Lived Experience staff at Neami and supports the exploration of peer practice and sharing emotionally safe stories.
The consolidation of these key practices will support continuous improvement of our relational practice approach. This is part of our commitment to best practice, to benefit staff and provide meaningful support to the people accessing our services.