Lived Experience at Gippsland PHN
Gippsland PHN is one of three out of 31 PHN’s across Australia to have identified lived experience roles.
Gippsland PHN’s approach to lived experience is leading the way by demonstrating a considered and thoughtful approach to supporting, utilising and growing the lived experience workforce within the PHN and across Gippsland more broadly.
In 2023 Gippsland PHN started their lived experience pilot project- starting with organisational readiness planning, staff recruitment, development of a lived experience action plan, and evaluation of the impact of a Lived Experience workforce.
Lived experience expertise is central to mental health reform and investment in developing this workforce is essential to improving outcomes for people who use mental health services.
It is the responsibility of every agency in the mental health system, and in other human services, to take steps to bring lived experience into the design and delivery of services. This includes embedding this perspective in the activities of commissioning agencies such as PHNs.
Gippsland PHN’s Lived Experience pilot project is part of similar initiatives among the national network of PHNs and falls in line with the PHN Program Needs Assessment Policy Guide (2021) statement that consumer and carer engagement is essential to obtain information about the perceived needs of local communities and individuals, insight into the experiences of consumers and carers, and perspective on how primary health care could be improved and where it is already working well.
Gippsland PHN’s Lived Experience workforce ensures we are in step with the Victorian and national collaboration on approaches to Lived Experience. It also enables the support of local initiatives to grow the local Lived Experience workforce.
We’re incredibly proud of the work we are doing to embed lived experience expertise here at Gippsland PHN. This program shows the impact lived and living experience workforces have in enriching work across the commissioning cycle.
People with lived and living experiences are vital voices that help inform our work. We need that leadership and expertise to drive change in the mental healthcare system, across planning, design, monitoring and evaluation.
Embedding Lived Experience into the workforce includes welcoming diversity, acknowledging the validity and significance of alternative perspectives, working to adjust the dynamics of influence (power balances) and supporting collaborative decision-making.
An individual’s personal, professional, and socio-political experiences have a direct impact on their lived experience and how it is interpreted.
Lived experience roles can include sub-disciplinary perspectives.
Personal or direct experience roles (also referred to as consumer or Lived Experience roles) These are informed by: personal experience of mental health challenges, service use, periods of healing/personal recovery. (National Mental Health Commission)
Family/carer experience roles (also described as family, support or carer roles) These are informed by: the experience of supporting someone through mental health challenges, service use, periods of healing/personal recovery. (National Mental Health Commission)
Source: The Western Australian Lived Experience (Peer) Workforces Framework (https://www.mhc.wa.gov.au/media/4911/mhc-lived_experience_workforces-framework-mar2024-digital.pdf)
Examples of types of roles include: Peer Support Recovery Worker, Mental Health Peer Worker, Carer Peer Support Worker, Family Peer Support Worker, Youth Peer Support Worker, Alcohol and Other Drugs Peer Support Worker, Senior Peer worker, Peer Support Lived Experience Coordinator/advisor, Mental Health Consumer Consultant, Lived Experience Consultant, Peer Support Supervisors/Coordinators, Consumer Services Coordinator/Carer, Services Coordinator/Lived Experience Practice Specialist, Consumer Advocate, Consumer Advisor, Lived Experience Advisor. For more information on roles click here
Lived experience work is underpinned by several core values and principles. They are based on lived experience perspectives, encompassing human rights, transparency, equality, emancipation, and an equal power balance. Work practices that match these values lead to increased job satisfaction and effectiveness for the lived experience workforce.
Lived Experience values and principles[1]
| Values | Principles |
|---|---|
Hope | Lived experience as expertise |
Equality/Equity | Self-determination |
Mutuality | Recovery-focused |
Empathy | Person-directed |
Choice | Strengths-based |
Respect | Relational |
Authenticity | Trauma-informed |
Belonging/Inclusion | Humanistic |
Interdependence/interconnectedness | Voluntary |
Justice/Human Rights |
A detailed description of the core values and principles of Lived Experience work is included in the National Development Guidelines for the development of the Lived Experience workforce, available here.
Gippsland PHN is committed to supporting our commissioned services and the Gippsland region in supporting and growing the lived experience workforce across the Gippsland region.
To make an appointment to discuss how Gippsland PHN can support your service and lived experience workforce contact: jess.edwards@gphn.org.au
[1] Byrne, L., Wang, L., Roennfeldt, H., Chapman, M., Darwin, L., Castles, C., Craze, L., Saunders, M. National Lived Experience Workforce Guidelines. National Mental Health Commission; 2021
Main office
11 Seymour Street, Traralgon, Gunaikurnai Country
13 McBride Avenue, Wonthaggi, Bunurong Country
119 Main Street, Bairnsdale, Gunaikurnai Country
Gippsland PHN is committed to providing inclusive services and work environments where people of all backgrounds, sexualities, genders, cultures, spiritual beliefs, age, bodies and abilities are valued, supported and celebrated.
Gippsland PHN acknowledges the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people/s as the traditional Custodians of Country across the Gippsland region.
We acknowledge the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people/s continuing connection to Land, Water and Community.
We pay our respects to the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People/s, Cultures, and their Elders past and present.
We also recognise, respect and affirm the central role played in our work by people with lived experience, their families and/or carers.
Gippsland PHN acknowledges Alfie Hudson for the healing circles artwork. Alfie is a Gunai Kurnai man and created this artwork which represents health professionals being committed to work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members for the best health outcomes.
