Developing and evaluating mental health lived experience practitioner (LXP) roles in an NHS trust

The value of establishing roles for people with lived experience of mental distress within mental health services is increasingly being recognised. However, there is limited information to guide the introduction of these roles into mental health services. This study details the development and evaluation of a new mental health peer worker role, the Lived Experience Practitioner (LXP), within an NHS Trust. A three-phase exploratory mixed-methods approach was used. Qualitative data were collected and analysed in the first phase. The qualitative findings were then translated into the formal procedures for introducing LXPs into the Trust, with the approach examined quantitatively in the third phase. The qualitative analysis identified five themes; role design, training, piloting, career pathways and communication. These formed the basis for working groups (workstreams) which developed policies and procedures for introducing the LXP role into the Trust. Twenty-eight applicants commenced a training programme with 10 successful completions. Seven LXPs were employed by the Trust and were still in their posts after 2 years. In this study, three areas were viewed as important when introducing LXP roles into mental health services; organisational support, the training programme and employment procedures.