Experiences and perceptions of facilitators of The WORKS

Some people who have a mental illness may require vocational rehabilitation and support to assist their participation in activity and employment. The WORKS is a vocational rehabilitation group intervention program, co-facilitated by Peer-Support Workers and Occupational Therapists. These facilitators provide support and guidance to people with a mental illness through practical activities and goal development.

This study aimed to explore the lived experiences and perceptions of facilitators of The WORKS.

The Integrating Theory, Evidence and Action (ITEA) method was used in this study, employing a phenomenological approach. Facilitators of The WORKS at a metropolitan Australian mental health service were purposively sampled, and four participated in semi-structured interviews. Data was transcribed verbatim and member checked, before being coded and analysed with reference to the Model of Human Occupation.

Five themes emerged from the data; Consumer Growth [Volition], Facilitator's Occupational Identity [Volition], Role of Facilitators [Habituation], Workload of Facilitators [Performance Capacity], and Adaptation of The WORKS Resources [Performance Capacity].

All participants perceived benefits related to The WORKS however discussed a co-facilitation power imbalance between facilitators. Therefore, more development is needed around the co-facilitation relationship between Occupational Therapists and Peer-Support Workers.