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 Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (the Buyer) 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.

The Buyer is therefore seeking to run a new Peer Mentoring Trial, with the expectation of there being a minimum of 35 Peer Mentors in 8 Jobcentre boroughs within England, Scotland, and North Wales in 2023 - North East (2-4 Peer Mentors covering Hull, North East Lincolnshire); Liverpool Region (9-11 Peer Mentors covering Liverpool City, Knowsley, Wirral, St Helens, Southport, Sefton, Halton); South East (5-7 Peer Mentors covering Portsmouth, Cosham, Fareham, Havant, Gosport); South West (3-5 Peer Mentors covering Bristol Central, Bristol South, Bristol North/East); London and Essex (8-10 Peer Mentors covering Newham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Islington, Westminster and Camden, Lambeth, Croydon); North Kent (1-2 Peer Mentors covering Medway); Scotland (4-6 Peer Mentors covering Partick, Drumchapel, Springburn, Laurieston, Glasgow City, Shettleston); North Wales (3-5 Peer Mentors covering Wrexham, Denbighshire, Flintshire).

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, housing services) and move towards employment.

The expectation is that Suppliers 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; deliver the provision in a location which is accessible to customers from the dedicated Jobcentre offices; raise awareness of the Peer Mentoring Trial; report timely, accurate and comprehensive management information; produce and report against an implementation plan etc.

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

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