Peer Mentoring for Individuals with a Substance Dependency

Individuals with a substance dependency often have the most complex needs.

Without specialist intervention, many are unable to overcome barriers to recovery and employment.

Individuals are often unwilling to disclose their dependency to Jobcentre Plus (JCP) work coaches due to denial, shame, or fear that they will be sanctioned in some way.

Other individuals with a dependency may not be engaged with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) at all.

As a result, individuals are not able to receive the help and support they need to overcome the addiction and move towards or into work.

DWP is therefore seeking to run a new Peer Mentoring Trial, with the expectation of there being up to 18 Peer Mentors in 6 Jobcentre boroughs within England and Scotland in 2022-23 - North West and Central (5 Peer Mentors covering Liverpool City, Knowsley, Wirral, St Helens, Sefton); North East (4 Peer Mentors covering Kingston Upon Hull, North East Lincolnshire); London and Essex (3 Peer Mentors covering Hackney, Islington (Barnsbury, Finsbury Park), Tower Hamlets); South East (1 Peer Mentor covering Portsmouth - Portsmouth, Cosham); South West (2 Peer Mentors covering Bristol - Bristol Temple Street, Bishopsworth, Kingswood, Horfield); and Scotland (3 Peer Mentors covering Paisley, Patrick, Drumchapel).

Peer Mentors will use their lived experience of addiction and recovery to inspire, motivate, and support others to manage their dependency, access appropriate support (including treatment, Universal Credit and housing services) and move towards employment.

The expectation is that providers would be required to demonstrate a track record of engaging with drug and alcohol dependents and treatment services; recruit Peer Mentors with lived experience of drug or alcohol dependency; suitably train Peer Mentors in supporting Mentees with complex needs and ensure they have a strong working knowledge and relationships with a range of support organisations in their local community; implement appropriate structures to manage, supervise and safeguard Peer Mentors and Mentees; confirm the potential Mentee's eligibility for any non-JCP referrals and obtain approval to Start from JCP; deliver the provision in a location which is accessible to customers from the dedicated Jobcentre offices; raise awareness of the Peer Mentoring Trial through new and existing relationships and networks; report timely, accurate and comprehensive management information as specified by the Authority; produce and report against an implementation plan; deliver provision in a flexible manner under any face-to-face restrictions, for example any pandemic related restrictions.

Should this new Trial programme be formally launched to the market in the summer of 2022, interested providers would need to be accredited on DWP's Test and Learn Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) under the Peer Support.

Please see this link below: - DWP Test and Learn DPS: how to register and apply - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)