DES Home > EMQ Home >EMbrace Program >Peer Support

Peer Support

The goal of EMbrace Program is to promote staff well-being.

Peer Support is an integral part of the EMbrace Program service. Peer Supporters are selected staff specifically trained to assist and support fellow workers with either work related or personal difficulties. Peer Supporters are carefully selected on the basis of trust, integrity and a genuine interest in the health and wellbeing of fellow workers.

The Peer Support Role

Peer Supporters provide:

One-on-one support and or group support after a critical incidents
Understanding and acceptance of feelings and experiences
Referral to professional counselling, if required
Basic EMbrace Program Awareness Training

Peer Supporters are NOT counsellors and thereby have limitations to their role; however, they will at all times help others to appropriately seek professional counselling support.

Volunteers are able to access a list of peer supporters for every region by visiting the Volunteer Portal and navigating to the EMbrace Program site under the "Safety and Support" heading.

Critical Incident Stress Management

Peer Supporters are often involved when an event of high emotional impact arises. In this case they may:

Identify the need for Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) interventions
Touch base with individuals or groups exposed to an incident by simply offer practical support and if requested help people discuss their reactions.
Liaise closely with professional EMbrace Program Counsellors to arrange further assistance such as individual counselling

Confidentiality

Peer Supporters are required to maintain to strict confidentiality in all interactions with fellow workers. To this end, Peer Supporters sign a Statement of Agreement and a Code of Ethics, binding them to the guidelines, policies and procedures of EMbrace Program, which are in accordance with the DES Privacy Policy Statement (refer section 15.6 of the DES Financial Management Practices Manual)
EMbrace Program information may only be revealed when:

It is a legal requirement to disclose information
Failure to disclose information would place the client or another person at risk
The Client's written consent has been obtained to release the information to another person or agency
At times an audit will be conducted, during which, an external auditor will be engaged to verify invoices paid to counsellors

Who can contact a Peer Support Officer?

Any SES or VMR volunteer experiencing volunteer / work-related problems.
Any EMQ staff or any staff member's immediate family experiencing personal or work-related problems.
EMbrace Program considers Immediate Family to include a person's spouse/de facto and children.

When should I seek help?

You should seek help from a Peer Support Officer or EMbrace Program Counsellor if you notice:
A persistant change to the way you feel.
An increase in your alcohol, tobacco and other drugs use
Any decline in your relationships with others
Any persistent change of behaviour that is not normal for yourself

Are you interested in becoming a Peer Support Officer?

If you are an employee or volunteer of the EMQ, the SES or VMR and possess the necessary Personal Qualities, then you may be eligible to become a Peer Support Officer. An Application Form can be downloaded, completed and returned to the EMbrace Program office - emqembrace@emergency.qld.gov.au

The decision to continue the application at all stages of the process will be at the discretion of the Embrace program Coordinator.

To become a Peer Supporter, an applicant must successfully complete the Peer Support Induction program

For more information refer to: Statement of Agreement / Code of Ethics / Personal Qualities / Peer Supporter Application Form / Training

Last updated 27 May 2009