What might people look for when choosing a Psychosocial Recovery Coach?

We thought we might give you a rundown on 5 things people may consider when choosing a Recovery Coach.

When people choose you as their Recovery Coach, they need to make sure you are a suitable fit for them. Everyone will have different wants and needs when it comes to their supports, but here are a few of the things they may consider in their search.

1. Do they feel a connection with you when they meet you? Are you easy-going and do you make them feel comfortable and supported? Do you listen to them, rather than talk at them?

2. Do you have a lived experience of mental illness and recovery? Are you able to effectively use that experience to support others? Do you understand healthy boundaries in the recovery and support relationship? You should be able to use your experience in a way that enhances the participants life, not overshadows it.

3. What are your level of qualifications and experience, can you access ongoing training, do you have their own support/supervision available? Supervision is an important aspect of the role and will help you remain healthy and focused and maintain a safe working relationship with participants.

4. Are you registered or not registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguard Commission? There are many great, registered, and unregistered providers out there and this should not be an indication of the quality of your service. However, it is important to understand that a registered provider is held to account for the way you provide support, unregistered providers should maintain the same work standard, ethics and compliance as a registered provider. Get familiar with the NDIS code of conduct and provider guidelines so the people you support receive an appropriate level of support.

5. When and where are you available to support participants? Recovery Coaches have more flexibility to be available to participants when needed. Are you available for crisis support or support on the weekends? You need to be clear with participants when you will be available, so they can make an informed choice if you are the right coach for them. Remember, burn-out is a real thing, so you need to have clear boundaries around your time and availability.

Article adapted and sourced with permission from: https://www.ethicalcaringgroup.com.au