Peer support in the comprehensive care of homeless people
The NICE Guide to Integrated Health and Social Care for the Homeless , published in March 2022, provides recommendations on how to improve access to and engagement with health and social services for the homeless, as well as advice on how administrations, managing bodies, providers and professionals from different disciplines can work together to support and improve outcomes for people experiencing homelessness.
The Guide points out that people experiencing homelessness often have poorer access to healthcare and social services , which contributes to, and can also be a consequence of, their homelessness. Furthermore, they have worse social and health indicators than the general population (for example, their life expectancy can be up to 30 years lower) and make greater use of emergency and urgent care services .
Thus, the Guide aims to offer service provision models, with specific services for homeless people, but also to facilitate their access to general services.
The role of technical people in accompaniment and mutual support (TeAM) in mental health recovery
One of the general principles of the Guide is to recognize the value of co-designing and co-providing services with peers , with people who have lived and experienced homelessness, as a way to improve the quality of health and social care offered to them.
Four ways to incorporate peers into services:
Involve people with their own experience as service providers and in the design of these services
People who have experienced homelessness can directly provide social and health interventions. They can also be involved by contributing their perspective to the design and development of services, as well as providing training to professional teams (healthcare and social services). Another key aspect is their involvement in participatory research and data collection for it.
Offering support to other homeless people
People with lived experience of homelessness provide a model for their peers of how they have been able to turn their lives around and help them develop their self-efficacy. These individuals can also act as companions or guides when welcoming new service users, helping them attend appointments (or even during appointments themselves). Furthermore, they facilitate the development of trusting relationships with the professional team and improve communication between the team and the people being served.
José Leal Rubio
Supporting peers in the effective exit from services and in maintaining their own well-being and development
In this regard, the guide indicates that homeless individuals can provide training, supervision, and management structures tailored to and adapted to the person's needs. They can also provide social and psychological support (reflective practice) according to their needs and changing circumstances, as well as tailored support for their professional development, including access to inclusive training and employment opportunities.
Understanding the needs and preferences of homeless people
People who have experienced homelessness possess backgrounds and skills that make it easier to understand the needs and preferences of other homeless individuals. Therefore, their experience, background, and language skills can be considered and used to understand the needs and preferences of homeless people.
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