Peer Researchers and Support Workers in Social Care: Harnessing Lived Experience

Lived experience brings a unique perspective to social care. People who have navigated mental health challenges, intellectual disabilities, or complex care systems themselves can offer insights, guidance, and support that enrich services for everyone. Two key roles leverage this expertise: peer researchers, who inform and shape policy and practice through research, and peer support workers, who provide practical, emotional, and social support to those currently navigating similar challenges.

This guide provides practical steps for recruiting, supporting, and embedding peer roles in social care, ensuring they deliver meaningful impact.

The first step is finding individuals whose lived experience aligns with the goals of the role.

Identifying the Right People

Not every person with lived experience will be suited to every role—but the right fit can transform services.

Peer Researchers thrive when they can reflect on their experiences and communicate insights clearly. Curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to engage in ethical research are essential. Research training, conducting projects and presenting at workshops can help build communication skills, confidence, and comfort discussing sensitive topics.

Peer Support Workers excel when they combine personal experience with empathy, reliability, and a strong desire to help others navigate challenges. Including service users or team members in recruitment can provide valuable perspectives on candidates’ ability to connect authentically.

Clarifying expectations, responsibilities, and boundaries early ensures that peer staff feel supported and confident in their roles from the start.

Supporting Peer Roles Effectively

The success of peer roles depends on intentional, structured support. Here are four practical ways to support peer roles effectively:

• Training and Development is crucial. Peer researchers need guidance in interviewing, ethics, and accessible communication, while peer support workers benefit from training in boundaries, trauma-informed care, and navigating service systems. Joint induction sessions with other staff can foster understanding and smoother collaboration.
• Supervision and Mentoring help peers manage the emotional demands of their work and grow professionally. Assigning a dedicated mentor or supervisor who understands the role’s unique challenges ensures ongoing support.
• Integration into Teams Peer roles work best when peers are fully included in meetings, planning, and decision-making processes. This normalises their contributions and strengthens collaboration.
• Career Pathways reinforce value and sustainability. Providing clear job descriptions, pay structures, and opportunities for progression recognises the expertise peers bring and encourages retention.

Impact for Individuals and Organisations

Peer roles bring a perspective that no textbook or training manual can provide. Because peer researchers and peer support workers have lived experience of mental health challenges, intellectual disabilities, or navigating complex care systems themselves, they understand the realities and nuances that others may overlook. This unique insight helps uncover barriers, inform better decision-making, and shape services that genuinely meet people’s needs.

For organisations, integrating peer roles drives real benefits. Peer researchers highlight gaps in policies and service delivery that might otherwise go unnoticed, ensuring interventions are relevant and effective. Peer support workers bridge the gap between services and those who use them, offering guidance, encouragement, and practical strategies that improve engagement, adherence to care plans, and participation in employment or community life.

Peer roles also provide meaningful benefits for the individuals themselves. Peer researchers gain confidence, develop new skills in research, communication, and advocacy, and see the tangible impact of their contributions on policy and practice.

Peer Research in Action: Katherine Greer’s Journey

Katherine Greer, a user of Praxis Care’s Coleraine Mental Health Service, has successfully completed her second year of an MSc programme – an achievement made possible through her role as a peer researcher.

Her journey began when staff encouraged her to apply for a peer researcher position. Through structured training, mentorship, and hands-on research experience, Katherine developed skills in interviewing, IT, and co-production, while gaining confidence and motivation.

“It gives me something to do that uses my brain and has given me motivation and confidence,” Katherine says.

Her contributions have also benefited the organisation: Katherine has co-authored multiple publications, assisted in training new team members, and helped embed co-production in research practices.

Katherine’s advice to others considering a similar path is both simple and empowering: “It’s hard work but possible. You are just as good as other researchers, even if they speak more confidently.”

Bringing It All Together

Peer roles can play an important role in improving service delivery and identifying insights that can help shape policy and practice. By identifying the right people, supporting them effectively, and recognising the impact they bring, organisations can harness lived experience to transform services. When lived experience shapes decision-making and day-to-day support, everyone benefits: services, staff, and the people they support.

References:

• Norton, M. J., Clabby, P., et al. (2023). Peer Support Work: An International Scoping Review. Impact Research Centre, Maynooth University; Peer Advocacy in Mental Health, Praxis Care, Queen’s University Belfast.
• Webb, P., Falls, D., et al. (2022). Peer researchers’ experiences of a co-produced research project on supported decision-making. Res Involv Engagem 8, 70. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40900-022-00406-1
• Montgomery, L., Kelly, B., Campbell, U., et al. (2022). Getting our voices heard in research: a review of peer researcher’s roles and experiences on a qualitative study of adult safeguarding policy. Res Involv Engagem 8, 64. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40900-022-00403-4

Norton, M. J., Clabby, P., et al. (2025). The role of peer support work in recovery-oriented services: a rapid scoping review. Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/irish-journal-of-psychological-medicine