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Peer Workers and Mental Health Workers

Job No: FLO1502
Location: Wollongong, Nowra, Ulladulla

Multiple exciting opportunities for Peer Workers and Mental Health Workers to join our Illawarra teams!

  • Nowra: Full-time ending 31 December 2021
  • Wollongong: Full-time ending 30 June 2022
  • Ulladulla: Full-time ending 30 June 2022

There is the possibility of an extension for all positions, as the service expands. The successful candidates will be working Monday to Friday. All positions are classified at Level 3 on the Flourish Australia Enterprise Agreement (2018). 

About the Opportunities

As a Mental Health Worker or Peer Worker, you will work in the community to support people accessing our services who have a lived experience of mental health issues to achieve their hopes and dreams. You will play an important part in assisting people to maintain wellness and realise their goals. On a day to day basis you will:

  • Listen to and create opportunities and activities that meet the interests and goals of people.
  • Encourage shared learning experiences, and support skill development at every opportunity through self-directed learning, information and education.
  • Ensure that individual support is provided to a person that accesses Flourish Australia services that meets their recovery journey goals and is strengths based and led by the person wherever possible.
  • Be ‘hands on’ and involved in direct service delivery.

The difference between the two roles is a Peer Worker is required to use their lived experience of a mental health issue and personal recovery openly, appropriately and effectively to build professional relationships with the people they support that also experience a mental health issue.

Peer Workers will also use their lived experience to inform and contribute to staff learning, service understanding, and delivering person-led, strengths focused, recovery based language, documentation, training and actions. As a Peer Worker, you will also use your lived experience to work as an advocate on an individual basis and systemically (as required).

It is not a requirement for Mental Health Workers to use their lived experience of a mental health issue in their everyday work.

For more information about what it means to be a Peer Worker with Flourish Australia, please review the Position Description and the Peer Worker information statement “What You Should Consider Before Becoming A Peer Worker”.

For more information on the Mental Health Worker role, please read the Position Description.

Please note- Successful candidates must maintain a Class C driver’s licence as you may be directed to use your private motor vehicle in the course of performing your duties when an organisational pool motor vehicle is not available. Proof of comprehensive insurance must be provided when required. You will receive payment of the Travelling Transport and Fares Allowance when using your private vehicle for work related purposes.

Who we are

Flourish Australia is one of Australia’s most experienced community mental health organisations. For over 60 years, we have provided individual support to people with a lived experience of a mental health issue for them to live purposeful lives.  

Flourish Australia is proud to have built one of Australia’s largest peer workforces, a proven, strengths-based approach to mental health recovery. 

Our vision is to create communities where everyone’s mental health and wellbeing flourishes. Our purpose is to support people to flourish, believe in their futures, and become contributing members of the community. 

Our positions are open to all suitably qualified applicants. We have a strong commitment to participation of people with lived experience of mental health issues in our workforce. We value diversity and encourage applications from suitably qualified people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island backgrounds, people from CALD and LGBTI communities and mature age candidates.

Selection Criteria

Essential:

  • A relevant degree OR a Relevant Certificate IV or Diploma with 12-months relevant experience OR 2-years full-time experience working in mental health as recognised by Flourish Australia.
  • A strong commitment to recovery-based practice in the workplace.
  • Understanding of the challenges faced by people with a lived experience of a mental health issue.
  • Understanding of, and ability to effectively use, Microsoft Office and knowledge of data information management systems.
  • A current Australian Driver’s Licence.

Please note: In addition to the above qualification and experience requirements, if you are applying to be a Peer Worker, you will have a lived experience of a mental health issue. You will also be able to demonstrate how you are able to effectively, respectfully, and appropriately use your lived experience of a mental health issue in your work.

For further information, please contact Nicolle Richards, Team Coordinator. E: nicolle.richards@flourishaustralia.org.au (please do not email applications)

All appointments with Flourish Australia's Mental Health Services are subject to an NDIS Worker Screening clearance, a National Criminal History Check, a Working With Children Check, previous employment reference checks, satisfactory Australian residency status and other background checks.

The Benefits

Flourish Australia recognises and values its people as demonstrated by:

  • Attractive hourly rates;
  • Family-friendly and flexible working conditions; and
  • Career development opportunities.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please complete all the questions asked. You will then be required to attach a copy of your resume on the following page, we encourage you to have your resume up-to-date and available before you commence the application.

Applications close 5pm 30th April 2021 (this may be brought forward as necessary). 

Apply Now

Privacy Acknowledgment

Flourish Australia is committed to protecting your privacy and respects the confidentiality of the information provided. Flourish Australia collects personal information via a third-party service provider to assess your employment application in accordance with the Privacy Act and Australian Privacy Principles. By submitting your application, you acknowledge that your personal information will be hosted by an external service provider.


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