Pathways Goulburn is part of Directions Health Services, an innovative non-profit organisation that has provided specialist alcohol and other drug (AOD) services in the ACT and NSW for more than 40 years.

Today we at Directions offer a comprehensive suite of holistic AOD, mental health and primary health services that aim to reduce harms experienced by individuals, families and communities and improve overall health and wellbeing. Directions’ multidisciplinary team currently includes a Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Social Workers, Counsellors, Case Managers, Aboriginal Health Workers, Peer Support Workers, GPs, Registered Nurses, Pharmacists and Chemical Analysts. Directions’ capacity to implement innovative services developed in collaboration with our clients, partners, and other stakeholders, enables us to effectively respond to the changing needs of the communities we serve.

At Directions, we pride ourselves on our supportive, inclusive, employee and client-centred culture. Our excellent culture has led to our very high staff retention rates and great reputation within the Mental Health and AOD sectors.

Our capacity to implement innovative services developed in collaboration with our clients, partners, and other stakeholders, enables us to effectively respond to the changing needs of the communities we serve.

About the position

As an Alcohol and Other Drug Youth Peer Support Worker, you will draw on your own lived experience of AOD recovery to provide high quality support and information to young people needing support. Pathways Goulburn will support clients of any age and their families, carers, and natural supports.

This position is a fixed-term, part time role – 0.6 full time equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Take a person centred, recovery-oriented approach to engaging young people, respecting their right to privacy, independence, and self-determination, meaningfully involving their family/friends where appropriate.
• Undertake holistic assessment of prospective young people referred for AOD support, including screening for suitability.
• Work with young people and their family/friends and other stakeholders to identify their goals and aspirations and create a holistic and strength-based individual support plan, in line with the program model of care - including referral to supplementary services as needed.
• Drawing on lived experience, engage young people, and provide peer support including guidance, empowerment and coaching to young people to assist their recovery.
• Provide evidence informed case management sessions with young people that are sensitive and responsive to their cultural strength, needs and goals, including on outreach.
• Support young people and their family/friends to access and maintain engagement with the clinical supports they need to manage their mental health, substance use and other complex issues.
• Support young people to establish meaningful personal and community connections and connect them to the support needed to develop their skills.
• Provide comprehensive information on available treatment and support options and/or harm reduction strategies.
• Facilitate self-help and support groups and contribute to group program development.

• Build relationships and refer young people to other Directions services and external agencies as required to address health and other issues and work collaboratively with these services to ensure effective coordination and continuity of care.
• Undertake routine outcomes measurement and progress monitoring in collaboration with young people.

• Ensure documentation and data collection is timely, complete and of an appropriate standard, including assessments, client case notes, treatment outcomes measures, reports, and other written communication, and ensure effective handover of information when required.
• Maintain professional standards in relation to service delivery and confidentiality.
• Seek to enhance or maintain skills and expertise through training and professional development (including exposure to groups and clinical practices and self-directed learning to enhance AOD treatment), line management, and performance reviews.
• Work in accordance with Directions’ Policies and Procedures and health and safety guidelines.
• Participate in staff meetings, supervision, and shared care meetings.

• Undertake other duties as required.
• After hours work and travel to other sites in Regional NSW may be required

What we offer

• A flexible and supportive work environment
• Community Service Employee Level 2-3 part-time (0.6 FTE) role, commensurate with qualifications, skills, and experience
• Generous salary packaging benefits
• 17½% leave loading
• Generous professional development and training opportunities

What we would like you to have

• Lived experience as a young person with AOD substance use or experience as a young person with AOD substance use in their immediate family, and experience accessing relevant services.

• Experience in AOD or Youth Work service settings is desirable.
• Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs (or willingness to commence within first year of employment).
• Certificate IV in Youth Work (or willingness to commence within first year of employment).

• Demonstrated understanding of the impact of alcohol and other drug use and the associated issues that young people may experience, including physical and mental health.
• A good working knowledge of effective treatment and support options and harm minimisation strategies
• Demonstrated understanding of working with young people using a person-centred approach
• Well organised, self-motivated, and proactive
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, combined with a proactive and hands-on attitude.
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office applications and the ability to use electronic client information systems.
• Ability to work competently in a cross-cultural environment.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with minimum supervision in a small flexible team environment.

All appointments will be conditional upon having a Working with Children Check, current First Aid and CPR certification and a satisfactory National Police Check.

For further information about this position please refer to the Position Description below and/or contact our HR team at [email protected] using the subject line: AOD Youth Peer Support Worker - Pathways Goulburn enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.

Directions is passionate about providing equal employment opportunities and we greatly value diversity in our organisation. We actively encourage applicants from all background and cultures. Research shows that women and other marginalised individuals tend to only apply for jobs when they meet 100% of the requirements. If you think you may be a good fit for this position, but don't necessarily meet every requirement, please get in touch. We would love to have a chat and see if you could be a great fit.