Final Draft of Guidelines for Supervisors of Peer Support Specialists

In 2013, after extensive participation of peer supporters throughout the U.S. and internationally, the International Association of Peer Supporters (iNAPS) released National Practice Guidelines for Peer Supporters. Twelve key values were identified and validated, and practices described that were consistent with the ethical guidelines.

With the continued growth of the peer workforce during the past six years, increased attention has turned to supervision of peer support workers, also known as peer specialists and many other titles. In 2018, iNAPS convened a Supervision Workgroup that reviewed existing reports, curricula and webinars related to supervision of peer support workers. As a result, a Supervision page was established on the iNAPS website with resources available to all. iNAPS also offers monthly online discussions for peer support workers and for supervisors.

The Workgroup members then began to draft National Practice Guidelines for Supervisors of Peer Support Specialists, consistent with the 2013 Guidelines for Peer Supporters.  The Supervision Workgroup sought input on the draft Guidelines from working peer support specialists and supervisors throughout the U.S. The Workgroup members revised the draft Guidelines based on feedback received during focus groups and from written communication.

We are now seeking agreement on the final draft of these guidelines before presentation at the October 2019 iNAPS conference in San Diego, CA.

On behalf of iNAPS, we thank you in advance for responding to the survey by July 1, 2019.

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* 1. Contact information: (optional)

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* 2. The National Practice Guidelines for Peer Supporters received a 98% approval rating among peer support providers and were issued by iNAPS in 2013. The National Practice Guidelines for Supervisors are intended to ensure the integrity of peer support practices through ongoing education and informed action by the supervisors of this emerging workforce. (View National Practice Guidelines for Peer Supporters here.)

The draft National Practice Guidelines for Supervisors of Peer Support Specialists, which can be seen here,  clearly outline the role of a supervisor of peer support specialists in assisting peer support specialists to adhere to the core values of peer support as described in the previously adopted National Practice Guidelines for Peer Supporters.

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* 3. If you indicated "no", please briefly state the specific reason(s) in the text box below:

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* 4. How could the guidelines benefit peer support specialists, their supervisors, and the peer support profession?

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* 5. In what state, U.S. territory or country do you currently work?

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* 6. How do you best define your current role?

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* 7. My job title is

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