Level 3 Autism Peer Support Worker Training

About the course

This customised qualification has been accredited by NCFE demonstrating the quality and rigour. It is delivered at academic Level 3, which is equivalent to further education standard (e.g. A level, or BTEC Level 3). When learners complete the course, their certificates will carry the logos of both Imroc and NCFE.

Our co-produced Level 3 Autism Peer Support Worker training acts as an opportunity to formalise years of lived and learned experience and expertise present in the autistic community. It builds on existing skills and knowledge while building and developing new awareness and capabilities needed for the effective, accessible and safe offer of peer support, which can be provided within the NHS or voluntary sector organisations. The course maps to the core domains of peer support work as set out in Health Education England's 'Capability Framework' for Autism Peer Support workers.

What you will learn

The Level 3 Autism Peer Support Worker Training will enable participants to:

  • Explore the autistic experience, identity and the associated strengths and challenges of living as an autistic person.

  • Recognise and value the expertise they have gained through their own lived and life experience and discover how to use this in a transformative and safe way within the field of peer support.

  • Draw on their lived and life experience to offer safe, effective, person-centred and recovery-focused support to help people live the lives they want and to live them well.

  • Understand the policy and legislation that has been created to support autistic people in different contexts, as well as the context and history surrounding this.

  • Utilise strengths-based, progressive approaches through a human rights and reasonable adjustments informed lens, in order to structure and support their offer of peer support.

  • Foster inclusion while respecting difference, enabling trainees to deliver high quality, equitable peer support to people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

  • Work in a collaborative and co-productive manner alongside the individuals they support and other professionals and services.

Structure

Total Duration: The training spans up to 20 weeks, covering induction, training, and assessment
Course Structure: 15 sessions, 3 hours each
For bespoke delivery options: please contact neurodiversitypeertraining@imroc.org

Who is this course for?

  • Autistic and neurodivergent individuals taking on peer support roles (paid or voluntary)

  • Parents / carers / family members of autistic individuals in peer support roles, with or without an autism diagnosis themselves

Modules Covered

Units Covered

Unit 1: Creating a safe space for learning on the course
Unit 2: Building relationships using peer support values
Unit 3: Adapting to the different needs and communication styles of your peer
Unit 4: Understanding sensory and environmental needs
Unit 5: Rights, legal entitlements and understanding informed consent
Unit 6: Using lived experience safely and effectively
Unit 7: Understanding support structures and systems
Unit 8: Supporting through transitions and change
Unit 9: Understanding what it means to work in a person-centred way
Unit 10: Establishing, sustaining and ending peer relationships
Unit 11: Beyond barriers - including everybody
Unit 12: Security and safety in autism peer support
Unit 13: Finding your feet as an autism peer support worker
Unit 14: Wellbeing, work and managing distress
Unit 15: Creating meaningful endings

Additional Details

Induction: Yes


Assessment: Assessments are diverse and designed with accessibility in mind. We understand our demographic and see our role as not only to support learners with knowledge and skills development, but also to focus on building their confidence.
Assessment depth and challenge increases throughout the course, slowly building knowledge, confidence and capacity via multiple choice quizzes, case studies, short answer questions and reflective essay questions.
Learners are supported to move through knowledge and recall into application and analysis through exploration of case studies, creative assignments and reflective activities such as building their own wellness recovery plan


Cohort Size: 12–18 participants


Cost & Booking: neurodiversitypeertraining@imroc.org