Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCIA) is a member-based national for purpose organisation that promotes independence and provides services to people with a spinal cord injury and other physical disabilities to assist them to achieve their goals. Working together with our customers, we aim to eliminate the barriers that prevent workplace and social inclusion for people with a spinal cord injury and other physical disabilities, ensuring that the society in which we live is accessible in every way.

SCIA was founded by people with spinal cord injuries. People with disability represent more than 30% of our staff, and a majority of our Board. We are a member-based organisation, with more than 3000 members that include people with disability, their families, carers and professionals in the sector.

What we do:

• Offering a one-stop-shop for information on services, advice and support
• NDIS provider for NDIS participant’s Support Coordination and Plan Management services
• Sharing the lived experience of having an SCI through peer support
• Influencing social change on a systemic and individual level
• Supporting people back into employment, education or training
• Operating an Australian Disability Enterprise that employs people with disability and pays full award wages

SCIA’s Peer Support Services

Our team currently work in the spinal injury units around Sydney and in the community the Central West and Bathurst supporting people who are newly injured regain their independence, adjust to life with an injury and improve their overall wellbeing. The team share their own lived experience and to assist with the practical application of core knowledge and skills for people with injuries and their families.

The Peer and Family Support team are out and about in the community ensuring they have the latest information on new equipment, assistive technology, products and services. Whether this is accessing care, modifying their home, or finding out the best transport options in the community, the Peer and Family Support team coordinate SCI people with other organisations and share their combined knowledge to offer full support. We know that everyone’s post injury experience is different. We assist without judgement.

The Role :

We are seeking our next Community Peer and Family Support Coordinator to support the SCI community in the ACT. The role, which is part-time at 15 hours per week, will primarily target people who have sustained a spinal cord injury (SCI) living in the ACT, predominately in the community. The role will involve:

• Enhancing connectedness into the community through engagements in group social activities to build networks of people with SCI.
• Peer guided support to promote the prevention of secondary health issues of SCI.

This position is classified as Community Services Worker Level 1 Pay Point 2. For a full-time equivalent, the salary range is $45,000 - $50,000 plus superannuation and any applicable fringe benefits tax.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong belief in pursuing equality and full inclusion for people living with SCI and other disabilities.

Key accountabilities for this role

1. Enhancing connectedness into the community through engagements in group social activities to build networks of people with SCI. The strategy includes:
   • Running monthly group social activities such as dinners, movies, BBQs, coffee groups. Through these social activities, incidental peer support will occur e.g., navigating public transport and toilets, socialising and community participation, etc.
2. The prevention of secondary health issues of SCI. The strategy includes:
   • Delivering one-on-one face-to-face peer support with lived experience as requested by individual clients in both the hospital setting and the community.

CORE SKILLS AND ABILITIES FOR THE POSITION:

• Ability to listen and take direction from clients.
• Excellent documentation skills to record outcomes.
• Have a person centred and outcome focused approach.
• Ability to work under regular supervision reporting on progress and outcomes.
• Ability to utilise resources efficiently.
• Open, proactive and approachable.
• Ability to travel independently to a number of different community event sites.
• Flexible work approach: open to change.
• Sound written and oral communication skills.
• Understanding of and commitment to social justice principles for people with disability.
• Willingness to adhere to SCIA policies and procedures and all other relevant government legislation and standards, including workplace health, safety.

WHAT WE WILL OFFER YOU:

As an SCIA employee you will be entitled to a number of benefits including;

• A competitive salary package.
• PBI Fringe Benefits Salary Packaging.
• Access to our Health and Well Being package.
• On-going professional development and training opportunities.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• The opportunity to work in a supportive environment supporting people living with disability.

This role is to be worked in a hybrid mode; with the flexibility to work from SCIA'S site in Flynn, ACT, from home and in the wider community.

The position is a fixed term contract role for the period of 12 months, working part-time 15 hrs p/w. Interviews will be conducted as applications are received.

You may contact Dan Holt at [email protected], using the subject line: Community Peer and Family Supports Coordinator enquiry via EthicalJobs, for more information.

Successful candidates are required to complete a pre-employment screening including an NDIS Worker Screening Check.

As part of our commitment to creating a flexible, diverse and inclusive workplace, this role is open to experienced candidates seeking workplace flexibility. We invite candidates of all ages, people with a disability and Indigenous Australians to apply.