What is the Peer Facilitator Program?
The Peer Facilitator Program is designed to expand health and safety training in the continuing care sector. Specifically, it allows organizations to train their own in-house educators, called Peer Facilitators, who train and support their colleagues in the following areas of health and safety:
- Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum
- Gentle Persuasive Approaches in Dementia Care
- Safety Leadership Education
- Safe Resident Handling or Safe Client Handling
What are the benefits?
Organizations
- Get an in-house expert. You’ll have someone to provide regular, relevant, and timely support to all your staff.
- Save money. Instead of paying for each of your staff to attend a health and safety workshop, pay for one to become a Peer Facilitator, who can then train everyone. See how much money you could save.
- Get more flexibility. It’s difficult to send staff to an all-day off-site workshop. With your Peer Facilitator, you can train staff when and where you want.
Individuals
- Expand your skill set. Becoming a Peer Facilitator is an excellent opportunity for personal and professional growth. You’ll increase your knowledge and gain valuable facilitation skills.
- Make an even bigger impact. Directly improve the health and safety of your colleagues in the sector.
Am I eligible?
The Peer Facilitator Program is open to the following individuals:
- Those in a SafeCare BC member organization.
- Those in a SafeCare BC associate member organization.
- Non-members who work in continuing care.
Members have the WorkSafeBC Classification Unit 766011 or 766006. Associate members are service providers or education institutions who’ve purchased a membership.
How do I become a Peer Facilitator?
- Step 1: An individual is interested in becoming a Peer Facilitator.
- Step 2: The individual and their organization both agree that the individual can become a Peer Facilitator (if relevant).
- Step 3: The individual checks the training calendar and applies for a train-the-trainer workshop.
- Step 4: The individual completes the train-the-trainer workshop.
- Step 5: The individual goes through Mentorship with a Master Facilitator, receiving the support they need to deliver education effectively.
- Step 6: After successfully passing Mentorship, the individual becomes a certified Peer Facilitator. They can now train and support others in their organization.
Are there other opportunities?
Secondment Program
Secondment is a formal arrangement between SafeCare BC, a Peer Facilitator, and the Peer Facilitator’s organization. Under the Secondment Agreement, Peer Facilitators facilitate at least three workshops for SafeCare BC over a year. In return, SafeCare BC will pay the backfill replacement wages to the organization.
To become a Seconded Facilitator, you must:
- Currently work for a SafeCare BC member site;
- Have completed Peer Facilitator training and Mentorship.
Independent Contracted Facilitators
Independent Contracted Facilitators are paid to deliver training on behalf of SafeCare BC. They deliver workshops to continuing care workers throughout British Columbia.
To become an Independent Contracted Facilitator, you must:
- Not work for a SafeCare BC member organization;
- Have completed Peer Facilitator training and Mentorship.
Questions?
Facilitation requirements
Description of activity
Solo facilitation
Facilitators are expected to facilitate workshops solo unless the number of participants exceeds the maximum number of participants that can be facilitated solo for the particular workshop stream. In those cases, SafeCare BC will provide a co-facilitator.
Comfortable troubleshooting technical issues
Facilitators are expected to troubleshoot technical issues that may arise before or during facilitation. Issues may include internet connectivity problems, sound issues, or issues with the projector or laptop. The facilitator may or may not have additional support from an on-site contact.
Arrive 30 minutes early
Each facilitator is expected to arrive 30 minutes early for each workshop and use that time to set up for the workshop, test equipment (e.g. videos, sound, projector), and become familiar with the housekeeping information that must be shared with participants (e.g. emergency exits, washrooms, wifi information).
Show the SafeCare BC video
All facilitators must show the SafeCare BC video at the start of each workshop. Most workshop participants are from SafeCare BC member sites, so they have the right to know the services they are entitled to. Showing the video at the start of each session allows participants to ask questions about SafeCare BC.
Submit sign-in sheets
SafeCare BC's programs and events coordinator issues sign-in sheets for each workshop organized by SafeCare BC. Facilitators ensure that each participant signs in at the start of each workshop and legibly prints their email address. Email addresses are used to issue workshop certificates. At lunchtime, each facilitator must send a copy of the sign-in sheet to the training@safecarebc.ca inbox. Copies can be made by taking a picture with a smartphone. SafeCare BC needs to know who is attending each workshop in case of an emergency.
Turn away late attendees
Participants attending a workshop are not permitted to arrive late or leave early. The only exception is if a person misses a small section of the day and the facilitator is willing and able to catch that person up during the lunch hour or after the workshop on his or her own time. Otherwise, certificates may only be issued if the participant participates in the entire workshop. Facilitators can direct participants to speak to SafeCare BC if he or she would like to discuss why he or she will not receive a certificate.
Surveys
Near the end of the workshop, facilitators must write a survey code on the whiteboard/flip chart paper for participants to complete the workshop evaluation survey with their smartphones. When possible, all participants should be given the WIFI information for the site at this time. Surveys are built into the course to increase the likelihood of completion. The workshop evaluation surveys include questions that evaluate the facilitator.
Invoices (contractors)
Following a workshop, contracted facilitators must submit an invoice to SafeCare BC within 30 days for their agreed-upon contractor rate. SafeCare BC will issue payment within 30 days.
Invoices (secondment)
Following a workshop, the sponsor organization must submit an invoice to SafeCare BC within 30 days for the facilitator's time and any expenses incurred due to facilitation with SafeCare BC (e.g. mileage, meals, parking).
What is the secondment program?
The secondment program is a formal arrangement between SafeCare BC, a peer facilitator, and the peer facilitator’s organization.
Under the secondment agreement, peer facilitators facilitate at least three workshops for SafeCare BC over a year. In return, SafeCare BC will pay the backfill replacement wages to the organization.
What are the benefits?
Organizations
- Get paid for your peer facilitator’s time. We’ll pay the backfill replacement wages each day the peer facilitator runs a workshop.
- Get no-cost training. Secondments may take place at the peer facilitator’s organization. When that happens, some training seats are reserved for your staff, and we pay you backfill replacement wages for the peer facilitator’s time.
Individuals
- Expand your skill set. Becoming a peer facilitator is an excellent opportunity for personal and professional growth. You’ll increase your knowledge and gain valuable facilitation skills.
- Make an even bigger impact. You’ll directly improve the health and safety of your colleagues in the sector.
Am I eligible?
To be eligible, you must:
- Work for a SafeCare BC member or associate member organization
- Have completed peer facilitator training and Mentorship in an eligible program stream.
The eligible program streams are as follows:
- Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum (PVPC)
- Gentle Persuasive Approaches in Dementia Care (GPA)
- Safety Leadership Education
- Safe Resident Handling or Safe Client Handling
What are the application criteria?
We rate applications based on commitment. You must:
How do I apply?
We’ll be collecting applications until November 15.
Step 1: Contact your organization and let them know you’re interested in the secondment program.
- Step 2: Review the sample agreement below with your organization. Send any questions to training@safecarebc.ca.
- Step 3: Complete and submit the application form. We’ll contact you about your application and may ask follow–up questions. Our interest in having you as a seconded facilitator will depend on our current training needs. If we haven’t seen you facilitate recently, we may ask you to attend one of your in-house workshops to assess your content competency and facilitation skills.
- Step 4: We’ll contact you about the status of your application. If we’d like to move forward, we’ll send you an Agreement you and your site need to sign. We’ll also require an email from your site administrator or HR department stating your gross hourly rate.
- Step 5: Once the Agreement is signed, we’ll connect you with our programs and events coordinator, who will schedule workshops for you to facilitate.
Questions?
Why must I track my continuing education?
To maintain certification, Peer Facilitators and Master Facilitators must participate in 40 hours of continuing education over two years. Facilitators are required to report continuing education to SafeCare BC regularly. SafeCare BC will issue re-certification if requirements are met.
How do I collect continuing education hours?
Continuing education hours can be accumulated in the following ways:
- A minimum of two workshops (16 hours) in the first year and two workshops (16 hours) in the second year, plus at least eight hours of other activities in either your first or second year.
- All curriculum edition updates, content delivery updates, and refresher training (if applicable).
- Peer-to-peer coaching, safety huddles, new employee orientations, or other workplace health and safety training types.
- Professional development (online or in-person) as approved by SafeCare BC.
In addition to fulfilling the continuing education mentioned above, Master Facilitators must also facilitate a train-the-trainer workshop annually. If you are unsure about the eligibility of your continuing education hours, email training@safecarebc.ca.
Step 1: Read the Descriptions
Secondment Program
Seconded Peer Facilitators deliver at least three workshops in their region within one year. Secondment Agreements are made with the support of the Peer Facilitator’s organization. SafeCare BC pays the Peer Facilitator’s regular daily rate to the home organization in exchange for the Peer Facilitator’s time. The workshops may sometimes be held in the organization’s training space.
Independent Contracted Facilitators
Contracted Facilitators deliver training on behalf of SafeCare BC. They can expect periodic workshop opportunities over a two-year term. Some travel may be required. All costs, including hourly rate and travel, should be included in the contractor’s bid (see the application).
Step 2: Apply
What is an independent contracted facilitator?
Independent contracted facilitators are paid to deliver training on behalf of SafeCare BC. They deliver workshops to continuing care workers throughout British Columbia.
Contracted Master Facilitators are highly experienced facilitators in their respective curriculum streams. Not only can they deliver training to staff, they’re also qualified to train and mentor new Peer Facilitators on behalf of SafeCare BC.
What are the benefits?
- Expand your skill set. Becoming an independent contracted facilitator is an excellent personal and professional growth opportunity. You’ll increase your knowledge, build valuable facilitation skills, and collect continuing education hours to maintain certification.
- Make an even bigger impact. You will directly improve the health and safety of those in the continuing care sector.
- Have flexibility. You get to select facilitation dates that work for your schedule.
- Get paid. We’ll pay you to deliver workshops on our behalf.
Am I eligible?
To be eligible, you must:
- Have completed peer facilitator training and mentorship in an eligible program stream.
The eligible program streams are as follows:
- Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum (PVPC)
- Gentle Persuasive Approaches in Dementia Care (GPA)
- Safety Leadership Education
- Safe Resident Handling or Safe Client Handling
What are the application criteria?
We rate applications based on the following:
- The training demand in the region where you’re located
- Your experience in the continuing care sector
- Your experience with the curriculum
- Your facilitation skills
- Your availability to facilitate.
How do I apply?
We’ll be collecting applications until November 15.
- Step 1: Review the information online and determine whether this is an opportunity you wish to pursue.
- Step 2: Review the sample agreement and direct any questions to training@safecarebc.ca.
- Step 3: Complete and submit the application form. We’ll contact you about your application and may ask follow-up questions. Our interest in contracting you will depend on our current training needs. If we haven’t seen you facilitate recently, we may request an opportunity to assess your content knowledge and facilitation skills.
- Step 4: We’ll contact you about the status of your application. If we’d like to move forward, we’ll send you an Agreement to sign.
- Step 5: Once the Agreement is signed, we’ll connect you with our programs and events coordinator, who’ll schedule workshops for you to facilitate. You must arrange general liability insurance (GLI) before your first workshop.
Questions?
