Draw on your lived experience of recovery from mental health concerns to instil confidence and hope in others with their journey to recovery.

• DURATION: 0.8 FTE until 30 June 2028
• First Nations People, LGBTIQA+ people, people with disability, people of colour, public housing residents or people with a lived experience are encouraged to apply
• DS is committed to child safety and strictly adheres to the Reportable Conduct Scheme for organisations. The safeguarding and wellbeing of our clients is our core focus. All staff must undergo thorough recruitment process including screening and providing evidence of current Working With Children Check and National Police Check.

About the role

The Head to Health Geelong centre, a partnership between Neami National and Drummond Street Services, is an exciting new service which provides the Geelong community an alternative service to attend when experiencing mental health crisis. The service will have a strong focus on lived experience and will support a high engagement, multi-disciplinary crisis model.

The LGBTIQA+ Mental Health Peer Support Worker identifies as belonging to the LGBTIQA+ community and has a lived experience of mental health concerns or caring for someone with mental health concerns who would like to support others with a similar lived experience. Peer Support workers draw on their lived experience of recovery from mental health concerns, mental health crisis or caring for someone living with a mental health concern to instill confidence and hope in others about the journey of recovery. You must have a rich understanding of the processes of recovery and must be willing to purposefully use your own story to help others further their own understanding of recovery.

You will work alongside a multi-disciplinary team inclusive of mental health clinicians, mental health registered nurses, medical officers and consultant psychiatrists. Delivering a Peer First and Peer Last approach the Recovery Support Worker will support a high engagement model of care, through actively greeting and supporting guests (consumers) throughout their time at Head to Health Geelong. You will have access to a tailored training program and regular professional development sessions.

Your responsibilities

• Provide queer sensitive and affirmative mental health peer services to LGBTIQA+ consumers and their families.
• Share expertise and knowledge with consumers to support their recovery.
• Support consumers to build positive mental health and relationships.
• Support consumers to set goals and work alongside other Head to Health staff to develop and implement individual case plans.
• Assist in building social and community supports and connections.
• Refer consumers to internal and external support services to meet their needs.
• Support the development and delivery of groups that promote LGBTIQA+ mental health and well-being.

About you

• A lived experience and understanding of the impact of mental health issues on health and wellbeing
• Demonstrated capacity to work creatively, show initiative, contribute ideas and be active in a supportive team environment in an agency working to support individual and family relationships
• Cultural and diversity humility
• Identify as belonging to LGBTIQA+ communities, as well as other communities with whom DS assertively engages

Key Selection Criteria

Please address the following in your application to be considered.

• A lived experience and understanding of the impact of mental health issues on health and wellbeing.
• A Mental Health Qualification (or equivalent Human Services, Community Services) qualification of Certificate IV level or above, or complete such a qualification within 2 years of your commencement of employment. Support may be provided to complete this qualification.
• A strong personal/professional support network that promotes resilience.
• Involved and actively participating in the local community.
• A commitment to and/or experience in working with people from LGBTIQA+ communities.
• An interest in or demonstrated experience in running group programs.
• Demonstrated understanding of the needs, issues and sensitivities of people from diverse backgrounds including Aboriginal, LGBTIQA+ and culturally and linguistically diverse people and communities
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Basic administration and information technology skills
• Sound group facilitation skills

Please review the position description which outlines the full list of responsibilities and key selection criteria

Application process

• Applications close at midnight on the advertised closing date.
• All applications will be directed to our careers portal – click "Apply Now"
• All applicants must include a resume and with a cover letter addressing all the key selection criteria for the position
• Applicants shortlisted for an interview will be required to provide evidence of their qualifications during the interview process

Please contact Tara Dempster-Clark on 9663 6733 or [email protected]using the subject line: LGBTIQA+ Mental Health Peer Support Worker - Geelong enquiry via EthicalJobs  to discuss your application.

A position description is attached.