Keeping Children Well: The Role of the Aboriginal Peer Support Worker

Member price :$0.00
Non-Member Price: $25.00

Presenters: Ailsa Munns1, Desley Hegney1, Rhonda Marriott2,3, Roz Walker3

Organisation: 1Curtin University, WA, Australia, 2Murdoch University, WA, Australia, 3Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, WA, Australia

Date of Presentation: 20/10/2014

Abstract:

AIM:
This study is investigating the development and impact of peer led home visiting support for Aboriginal families, particularly exploring the role and scope of practice of Aboriginal peer support workers.
METHOD:
Community based participatory action research has been used to develop a partnership approach between Aboriginal peer support workers and program coordinator, along with a non-Aboriginal researcher and program facilitator to investigate the development of a home visiting support service relevant to the needs of children and families in the local community. A mixed methods approach is exploring the suitability and impact of the program. The responses from individual and group questionnaires from two cohorts have been analysed using thematic analysis.
RESULTS:
Results are demonstrating the self-perceived role of the peer support workers and the emerging   confidence in their role. Their scope of practice is varied and responsive to child, family and community need, demonstrating reflexivity and culturally relevant approaches. Responses from community agencies have supported their role with the families.
CONCLUSIONS
This research is demonstrating the value of Aboriginal peer support for Aboriginal children and families. The partnership approach is developing a service relevant to the needs of the local community. The program’s features have the potential to impact all five action areas of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion, central to which is the influence of peer support workers.