• Full time role
• Salary: $41.52 to $42.60 AUD Per Hour - Based on experience
• Location: Open to candidates in Sydney or Melbourne
• Contract: Fixed-Term Contract until 30th June 2025 - potential extension
• Hours: Monday - Friday 12:00pm - 20:00pm
• Flexible working – hybrid ways of working with a minimum 2 days per week in the office

SANE Australia

SANE works to make a real difference for the five million people affected by complex mental health issues nationally. Australians affected by complex mental health issues, experience major barriers in accessing quality, affordable support, and face high levels of stigma and discrimination. SANE is committed to changing this through its digital and phone counselling, peer support services, arts programming and services, and advocacy and research programs.

Day-Day Duties:

Groups Facilitators are responsible for delivering engaging and recovery-focused mental health support group sessions via video conferencing. Participants are SANE service users experiencing a range of complex mental health issues. Depending on the session’s needs, facilitators may act in the role of a lead or navigator. Leads are the primary conductor of group sessions, responsible for planning, guiding discussions, and ensuring a productive and recovery-focused atmosphere. Navigators act as a support system, monitoring engagement, group dynamics, and providing direct assistance to participants requiring additional support. This position requires flexibility, empathy, and a strong commitment to confidentiality and participant safety.

• Prepare session plans that are inclusive, engaging, and aligned with the CHIME framework of mental health recovery.
• Apply trauma-informed practices to group facilitation, ensuring sensitive handling of discussions and participant experiences.
• Actively engage with participants, managing group dynamics and facilitating discussions that promote connection, recovery, and mutual support where all voices are heard.
• Foster a welcoming and safe atmosphere for all participants, encouraging the sharing of experiences and mutual support.
• Skilfully open and close sessions with clear, engaging communication, setting the tone for a supportive and structured discussion.
• Implement effective session time management strategies to ensure that group sessions start and end as scheduled, maintaining a focused and engaging agenda.
• Utilise the Session Rating Scale to gather participant feedback and adjust facilitation approaches as necessary.
• Manage the technical aspects of online facilitation, including Zoom features like breakout rooms and polls, to enhance group interaction.
• Assist the Group Lead by monitoring participant engagement and group dynamics.
• Identify participants experiencing distress or challenges adhering to group guidelines and provide discreet support via private chat.
• Facilitate private discussions in breakout rooms for participants needing additional support, ensuring minimal disruption to the main session.
• Contribute to maintaining the session's flow and integrity, stepping in as co-facilitator when necessary.
• Utilise crisis intervention strategies when immediate risks are identified, following critical incident escalation protocols.
• Collaborate with the wider groups team to share insights, challenges, and successful strategies from group facilitation experiences, fostering a culture of continuous learning and development.
• Work to integrate evidence-based practices and the latest research findings into group facilitation techniques, ensuring the highest quality of participant care and support.
• Contribute to the collective effort of developing and refining innovative digital service delivery models, including the use of technology to enhance participant engagement and support. This includes exploring new tools for online group facilitation, enhancing interactivity and accessibility for participants.
• Participate in quality assurance processes, including the review of group content and facilitation methods, to align with best practices in mental health support and to meet the evolving needs of participants.
• Provide input into the strategic development of the group program, including the identification of new topics, formats, and engagement strategies that respond to participant feedback and emerging mental health trends.

Experience/Qualifications:

• Tertiary qualifications in Psychology, Counselling, Social Work, Mental Health, Peer Work, or related fields.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in group facilitation, community engagement, or a similar role, preferably within a mental health context (required).
• Experience working with diverse populations and promoting inclusive and supportive online communities.
• Lived experience of complex mental health issues is highly desired, offering valuable insights and empathy in the facilitation of recovery-focused group sessions.
• Experience working in customer service or public facing roles (highly desirable)
• Excellent interpersonal skills and communication, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work independently and adaptively in a fast-paced, evolving online environment.
• High level of attention to detail.
• Full Working Rights in Australia.

Please note:

All SANE Employees are required to complete safeguarding checks including a National Police Check and Working with Children's Check. SANE is an equal opportunity employer and prides itself on our diverse and inclusive workforce.

We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, inclusive environment for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds, including people with lived experience of complex mental health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, people from CALD and LGBTQIA+ communities, and people of all ages to apply for our roles.

Please reach out if you require reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process. No agencies please, we've got this one :)