Peer support in Dundee highlighted as a ‘sector-leading’ approach by inspectors
A new joint inspection of adult mental health services in Dundee highlights the critical role of collaboration and peer support in delivering high-quality, recovery-focused support.
Published by the Care Inspectorateand Healthcare Improvement Scotland, the inspection report commends Dundee Health and Social Care Partnershipfor its clear vision and sustained commitment to transforming services.
It identifies strong collaboration with people, the third sector and a growing network of peer support workers as key strengths, with partnership working at both strategic and operational levels driving more seamless services and improved mental health outcomes for adults.
Peer support recognised as a key driver
At Scottish Recovery Network we welcome the report’s clear recognition of peer support and third sector collaboration as central to the design, delivery and improvement of high-quality mental health services. What is particularly striking is that the development of peer worker roles across sectors and settings had resulted in a range of tangible benefits not only for people engaging with support but across service and system cultures.
Embedding these [peer worker] roles within a wide range of settings proved effective as contributions consistently strengthened engagement, enhanced recovery, and provided a valued feedback loop for people in their recovery journey.
Joint inspection of adult services report (2026)
People in Dundee describe the impact of peer support as overwhelmingly positive. Peer workers are enabling individuals to become active participants in their own recovery, supporting choice, control and more meaningful involvement in decision-making.
A system showing ambition and innovation
There is much to learn from Dundee’s approach. Partners have demonstrated real ambition and a willingness to innovate, backing their commitment to lived experience with investment in peer roles and partnership working.
Dundee is now ahead of many areas of Scotland, with peer workers embedded across both third sector and statutory services. This includes Penumbra, Wellbeing Works, SAMH, the Mental Health Officer Team, Community Mental Health Teams, Veterans First Point, Carseview Inpatient Centre and others. The intention to further expand peer roles through the rollout of the NHS Tayside mental health model of care is particularly encouraging, signalling a shift to more systematic integration.
The report also points to the successful development of a Peer Support Network facilitated by Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action (DVVA). This network plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the peer workforce is connected, supported and can continue to grow and thrive.
Just imagine
Dundee gives us a glimpse into what can happen when you build a mental health system powered by lived experience and strengthen by peer support. It is however important to note that while this progress should be celebrated there are still relatively few peer workers compared with other mental health staffing groups. There are around 30 peer support workers (about 20-22 FTE) across all third and statutory sector mental health services in Dundee. That such a small number of peer support workers can have this impact is impressive. Just imagine what could happen if peer roles across the country were treated equitably.
What if Scotland, like many other countries, invested seriously in peer leadership and peer working in mental health services? This is not about isolated roles, but about a coordinated, system-wide approach to embedding lived experience in leadership and service delivery. Done well, this could drive the cultural transformation needed to ensure people get the right support, at the right time.
Scottish Recovery Network’s Insight Report 1: Peer Support in Scotland provides a wealth of clear evidence that peer support works. The priority now is to scale what we know is effective, embedding lived experience leadership and peer support across the system to better meet people’s needs and improve mental health and wellbeing.
The Future is Peer!
