1. Role of the Aboriginal Peer Support Worker Ailsa Munns Curtin University

2. Peer Support A system of giving and receiving help founded on key principles of respect, shared responsibility, and mutual agreement of what is helpful. It is about understanding another’s situation empathically through shared experiences (Adapted, Mead, Hilton & Curtis, 2001). It is based on the premise that connecting with others that have had “the same or similar experiences can lead to a sense of genuine empathy and shared understanding, to reassurance and hope” (Basset, Faulkner, Repper & Stamou, 2010).

3. The defining feature of peer support is that it refers to relationships and interventions between people who are peers and who are equal in ability, standing, rank or value (Fulton & Winfield, 2011). A trusting relationship, offering companionship, empathy and empowerment, where feelings of isolation and rejection can be replaced with hope, a sense of agency and belief in personal control (Repper, 2013). Little evidence on Aboriginal peer support, especially for parents support.

4. Midland study Identify and examine the elements required to deliver a culturally secure Aboriginal led home visiting child health parent support program in Midland; In partnership with the Aboriginal community in Midland, implement and evaluate a culturally secure Aboriginal led home visiting child health parent support program; Explore the self perceived suitability, feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of a culturally secure Aboriginal led home visiting child health parent support program in Midland; Inform a model for a culturally secure Aboriginal led home visiting child health parent support program in Midland.

5. Justification and Background Enhancement of parental capacity and resilience Midland SEIFA index 888 - Ranking 1 in WA and 2 in Australia Short and long term health and developmental trajectories Research studies such as Maternal and Child Health Project. Strengths and needs analysis (Larson & Bradley, 2009) and Evaluation of the Halls Creek Community Families Program (Walker, 2010). Peer led support for Aboriginal parents crucial for effective culturally appropriate strategies & recognition of local impacts.

6. Methodology A critical methodology – Participatory Action Research Allows participants to explore own needs with political, historical, psychosocial & psychocultural considerations (Roberts & Taylor, 1998). An empowering critically informed approach with collective self-reflective inquiry (Kemmis & McTaggart, 1998).

7. Action Learning Sets 5 PSW & Coord 8-10 Clients 4 CKI 5 PSW & Coord 8-10Clients 4CKI 5 PSW & Coord Action learning set 1 April 2013 Action learning set 2 May 2013 Action learning set 3 June 2013 Action learning set 4 August 2013 Action learning set 5 Sept 2013 Action learning set 6 October 2013 CKI: Community Key Informants Clients: ClientAboriginal women/families PSW & Coord: Parent Support Workers; Local Project Coordinator Action learning set 7 Nov 2013 Action learning set 8 Dec2013 Action learning set 9 Feb 2014 Action learning set 10 March 2014 5taffaStafff 5 Clients 4 CKI 5 PSW & Coord 8-10 Clients 4 CKI 5 PSW & Coord 5 PSW &Coord 5 PSW & Coord 8-10 Clients 4 CKI

8. Data Management Parent Support Workers and Project Coordinator - a combination of unstructured and semi structured interviews during the pre- study phase and action learning sets. Thematic analysis

9. Emerging Themes: Positive and challenges Overarching Theme  Parent Support Well we’re just pretty much here to support them in whatever they need support in. And you know just praising them on, on their parenting skills and acknowledging their strengths and building their confidence up to know that they you know that they’re doing the best that they can. Enabling Themes  Development of Client Acceptance and Trust Creating safe spaces She felt safe yarning and that but she said there’s no one else I can yarn to about the problem what I’m going through. Developing trust They’re all like very guarded and they’ve got that wall there and they’re still sussing you out.

10.  Delivery of culturally relevant support …the peer support workers themselves, they’re local women, they really have that invested interest in giving back to community, it’s everything they focus on you know.  Advocacy Enabling So I ended up getting in contact with her and then I ended up ringing around, I found St. Vincent De Paul, they do food and fuel cards. So I passed that message onto her and she ended up getting help. Barriers ‘Cause she was pregnant as well and she wanted to be in a house before baby was born… there was also issues on priority waitlist. I said to her I don’t have a magic wand.

11.  Development of Therapeutic Communication Flexibility of engagement – face to face, phone, text …ring back in a few days or something you know just to check how everything’s going Confidence building Yeah I think I do ok, building up my confidence already. I won’t go in there and just freeze on the spot, mate I’m over that barrier now.  Creating Safe Home Visiting Practices Enabling So I brung them into the office. They’re all in that one house and they’re all sort of like frightened from when grandmother goes out, gets on the slops, come back and be abusive to ‘em all. Self care But we made the decision that at all times now with this client there’ll be pairs going all the time…in regards to potential family violence.

12. What should Peer Support Workers do? Self Identified by PSWs Show good things. Bring up alcohol or smoking as things not to do. Show the right path. We are here to support and help families with their journey. The families are not alone.

13. The Future Peer Support Worker perseverance There’s a lot of families out there that have a lot of potential but just supporting them They haven’t kicked us out yet Other than the magic wand that we want…if we find that bloody magic wand.

14. Acknowledgements Peer Support Workers, Project Coordinator and Education Support Worker at Ngala Ngala management Centre for Research Excellence in Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing at Telethon Kids The Western Australian Nurses Memorial Charitable Trust Research supervisors Prof Desley Hegney, A/Prof Marion Kickett, Prof Rhonda Marriott and A/Prof Roz Walker

15. References Basset, T., Faulkner, A., Repper, J., & Stamou, E. (2010). Lived experience leading the way: Peer support in mental health. London: Together UK. Fulton, K., & Winfield, C. (2011). Peer support. A discussion paper from the Centre fore Welfare Reform publishing in association with Paradigm. Suffield, UK: Centre for Welfare Reform. Larson, A., & Bradley, R. (2009). Maternal and child health project. Strengths and needs analysis. Geraldton, WA: CUCRH. Mead, S., Hilton, D., & Curtis, L. (2001). Peer support: A theoretical perspective. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 25(2), 134-141. Repper, J. (2013). Peer support workers: Theory and practice. London: Centre for Mental Health and Mental Health Network, NHS Confederation. Walker, R. (2010). Evaluation of Yanan Ngurra- ngu Walalja: Halls Creek Community Families Program. Perth, WA: Telethon Institute for Child Health Research.