Eating Disorders Victoria’s Peer Mentoring Program wishes to engage a number of Lived Experience Peer Mentors. EDV encourages mentors from both metropolitan, rural and regional Victoria to apply for these positions.

To be eligible to apply for this position you must have a minimum two-year recovery period from an eating disorder.

• EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Casual position
• AWARD DETAILS: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010. Social and Community Services Employee - Level 2
• REPORTS TO: Peer Mentoring Program Manager
• LIAISES WITH: Program participants, staff, and partner services

Eating Disorders Victoria (EDV) is the leading community organisation helping Victorians understand and recover from eating disorders. A trusted source of support since 1983, EDV delivers a broad range of free and low-cost community services that respond across the breadth of the eating disorder experience – from discovery to recovery.

ROLE STATEMENT

EDV's Peer Mentoring Program (PMP) is a unique and effective approach to providing support for adults currently in or transitioning from hospital inpatient units and intensive day programs, and/ or supported by a treatment team, with the aim of sustaining their recovery outcomes in the long term. The PMP has now been running for over four years and is funded by the Victorian Government.

EDV Peer Mentors will be matched with a person in recovery from an eating disorder and have regular contact with the program participant over approximately six-months (13 mentoring sessions). The participant is supported to achieve self-identified goals, which may include independent activities of daily living (e.g., supermarket shopping, eating out), further developing meaningful skills and interests and engaging with community life (e.g. connecting with local community groups, learning a new skill or activity, planning for or returning to work). PMP sessions occur on a fortnightly basis, take place in a variety of community settings and are scheduled in agreement with PMP team.

The health and wellbeing of all Peer Mentors is of great importance to EDV, and they are supported via regular contact with the PMP office staff as well as bi-monthly group debrief sessions run by a psychologist. Peer Mentors will also participate in the evaluation of this program through a range of activities such as completing questionnaires, interviews and focus groups throughout the program.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Participate in a three-day induction/training program, and professional development activities as required.
• 13 mentoring sessions that occur on a fortnightly basis over a period of approximately six months. Sessions occur with matched participant/s and are scheduled in agreement between the peer mentor, participant and the PMP staff.
• Support program participant/s to devise a Mentoring Journal to reach their short-term goals. Attendance of regular group debriefing sessions facilitated by PMP office staff (bi-monthly).
• Participant in regular individual debriefing with PMP office staff.
• Provide feedback including documented contacted with program participant/s and progress against identified objectives.
• Report any issues of concern to the Project Manager or Program Officer in accordance with guidance provided by EDV.
• Keep up to date with EDV news and sector developments.
• Other duties consistent with position as directed by PMP office staff.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential:

• Recovery from an eating disorder (minimum of two years).
• Ability and willingness to discuss own experiences of mental illness in the context of supporting someone who has recently undergone treatment for an eating disorder.
• Strong commitment to peer support and understanding of the value of peer work in mental health recovery.
• Understanding of the role of professional treatment in recovery from an eating disorder.
• Demonstrated understanding of professional boundaries and ability to work within specified program guidelines.
• Ability to learn from own actions, take feedback, modify behaviour in response.
• Demonstrable knowledge of eating disorders, body image and related issues; including knowledge of the risk/protective factors, treatment options, impact on families and challenges associated with recovery.
• Excellent listening abilities and communication skills.
• Validating, encouraging and friendly manner.
• Understanding of the importance of self-care and demonstrated ability to enact own self-care routines during times of stress.

Highly desirable:

• Qualification in Peer Work.
• Experience as peer mentor or facilitator in another role.
• Relevant tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Public Health, Social Sciences or similar.

For full conditions and requirements of this role, please see the Position Description.

Key contact for further information:

Rachael Duck, PMP Manager
[email protected] using the subject line: Peer Mentor enquiry via EthicalJobs
9994 0354 ext. 214