Consulting
Louise was lead author of the National Lived Experience (Peer) Workforce Development Guidelines, and led the development of the evidence base that primarily informed this policy. As a result, Louise is uniquely positioned to provide evidence based, strategic advice on workforce development issues at any stage of development including:
- Building Lived Experience literacy and strategies for cultural change
- Sustainable expansion of Lived and Living Experience workforces
- Authenticity and fidelity to Lived Experience principles and practice
- Enabling and supporting Lived Experience Leadership, governance, and effective co-production
- Developing psychologically safe work culture for all staff, people accessing services, their family, friends and significant others
- Strategic Advice -
In 2015 Louise was the first Lived Experience Expert Advisor to the QLD Mental Health Commission and has provided advice and supported implementation of evidence-based strategies for Lived and Living workforce development many times at national, state and organisational levels, including roles with the Department of Health Victoria, The Alfred hospital and Mind Australia.
Louise has been the lead author on numerous Lived Experience Plans, Strategies, Frameworks and Guidelines to help guide organisational and sectoral development of the workforce. Louise emphasises engagement with representatives across the organisation to create bespoke policies informed by and tailored to your organisation.
- Development and Implementation of Resources -
In terms of systemic, sector-wide implementation of best practice contemporary evidence there is arguably no-one more qualified. Louise has worked closely with many organisations, funders, and commissioning bodies to develop customised materials and resources to enhance readiness and support for effective and authentic Lived Experience workforce development, responsive to context.
This is achieved by engaging, co-designing, co-developing and then adapting resources to address specific gaps and challenges, and maximise the benefits of Lived Experience work.
Resources and materials include an emphasis on:
- Guidance and implementation of wide-scale organisational change management strategies
- Building literacy of and about Lived and Living Experience workforces and facilitate a more inclusive and welcoming culture for all staff
- Training, tools and packs to enhance Lived Experience recruitment processes, including interview questions, designing effective roles and position descriptions
- Mentoring and formal capacity building for emerging and existing leaders
- Lived Experience governance
- Supervision -
Louise was fortunate enough to train directly with Shery Mead and Chris Hansen in the transformative Lived Experience discipline of ‘International Peer Support’, including both peer support and co-supervisory training.
Louise has provided role clarity supervision, job crafting and coaching for many years, particularly to Lived Experience workers in senior/leadership positions, and allies working towards transformational change who want to more effectively support Lived Experience.