Complex Mental Health Support Worker

Alula Services; Gold Coast City; On-site; AUD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Alula Services is seeking a compassionate Mental Health Support Worker to provide 1:1, person-centred support for participants with complex mental health needs in Southport and surrounding areas. You will work with participants, families and professionals to deliver safe care, build trust and promote recovery.

The role requires experience with complex psychosocial disability, trauma-informed practice, and strong boundary management.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years’ experience supporting adults with complex psychosocial disability or complex mental health needs.
• Experience with schizophrenia/psychosis strongly preferred.
• Experience handling complex behaviours and high-risk situations.

Responsibilities

• Provide consistent 1:1 support in home and community.
• Follow NDIs plan, service agreement, risk assessments, and clinical recommendations.
• Build stable, professional relationships with boundaries.
• Apply recovery-oriented, trauma-informed approaches.
• Support independence, daily living skills and wellbeing.
• Assist with community access, appointments, transport and activities.
• Document shift notes, incident reports and medications accurately.
• Escalate safety concerns to managers and stakeholders.

Skills

Communication

Patience

Emotional resilience

Professionalism

Education

Certificate III/IV in Mental Health / Individual Support / Disability

Job description

Alula Services is seeking a compassionate, experienced and resilient Mental Health Support Worker to join our growing team in Southport and surrounding areas.

This is an opportunity for an experienced support worker who is confident working alongside people with complex mental health and psychosocial disability, and who understands that meaningful support is about more than completing tasks. It is about building trust, creating stability, supporting recovery and helping people work towards greater independence.

At Alula, we provide personalised, relationship-based support that respects each participant’s individual goals, choices, rights and circumstances.

About the role

As a Complex Mental Health Support Worker, you will provide consistent 1:1 support to participants living with complex mental health needs and psychosocial disability.

You will work closely with participants, their support networks and other professionals to provide safe, consistent and person-centred support across the home and community.

This role may involve supporting participants experiencing complex presentations, including schizophrenia, psychosis, emotional dysregulation, challenging behaviours, substance-use concerns and periods of mental health deterioration.

We are looking for someone who is confident working in complex environments, understands the importance of professional boundaries and can remain calm, respectful and responsive when situations become challenging.

Key responsibilities

Providing high-quality, person-centred 1:1 support in the participant’s home and community.

Supporting participants in accordance with their NDIS plan, service agreement, individual support plans, risk assessments and authorised clinical recommendations.

Building stable, respectful and professional relationships while maintaining appropriate boundaries.

Applying recovery-oriented, trauma-informed and person-centred approaches to support.

Supporting participants to develop independence, confidence, daily living skills and greater stability.

Supporting routines that promote wellbeing, community participation and engagement with appropriate services.

Assisting with community access, appointments, shopping, transport, social activities and other daily living tasks.

Providing emotional support, encouragement and reassurance while supporting participants to work towards their individual goals.

Recognising changes in presentation, behaviour or wellbeing and responding appropriately to signs of mental health deterioration, psychosis, escalating distress, aggression, intoxication, withdrawal risk, vulnerability or disengagement.

Using calm communication, low-arousal approaches, de-escalation and approved risk-management strategies.

Implementing Positive Behaviour Support strategies and applicable restrictive-practice requirements in accordance with approved plans and organisational procedures.

Supporting agreed harm‑minimisation and substance‑use strategies within your scope of practice.

Supporting medication processes where authorised and within your competency, training and organisational procedures.

Maintaining accurate, objective and timely shift notes, incident reports, medication records and other required documentation.

Escalating significant changes, incidents, risks and safeguarding concerns to the appropriate Alula manager and authorised stakeholders.

Maintaining the safety and wellbeing of participants, yourself and others when working independently in the home and community.

Working collaboratively with families, support coordinators, clinicians, mental health services and other professionals involved in the participant’s care.

About you

We are looking for someone who brings maturity, emotional resilience, patience and professionalism to their work.

Minimum 2 years’ experience supporting adults with complex psychosocial disability and/or complex mental health needs.

Demonstrated experience supporting people with schizophrenia and/or psychosis — strongly preferred.

Experience working with participants who may present with complex behaviours, significant mental health concerns or elevated risks.

Experience implementing Positive Behaviour Support strategies with complex participants.

Strong understanding of professional boundaries, safeguarding and risk management.

The ability to recognise changes in mental health presentation and appropriately escalates concerns.

The ability to remain calm, patient and professional during periods of distress or challenging behaviour.

Experience working alongside community mental health, public mental health, forensic/disability or AOD services will be highly regarded.

The ability and willingness to complete participant‑specific training, including behaviour support, medication and risk‑management requirements where applicable.

A genuine passion for supporting people to achieve greater independence and improve their quality of life.

Excellent communication, interpersonal and relationship‑building skills.

Strong written communication skills and the ability to maintain accurate and objective documentation.

Reliability, punctuality and a strong work ethic.

The ability to work independently while also contributing positively to a broader support team.

A current Australian Driver Licence and reliable vehicle.

Current NDIS Worker Screening Check.

Current Working with Children Check, where required.

Current First Aid and CPR.

A Certificate III or IV in Mental Health, Individual Support, Disability or a related qualification is highly regarded.

Why Join Alula Services?

At Alula Services, we believe that quality support starts with quality relationships.

You will be joining a growing team that values consistency, professionalism, genuine connection and person-centred practice. We are committed to providing our participants with support workers who are reliable, capable and genuinely invested in their wellbeing and goals.

This role is suited to someone who wants to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of people experiencing complex mental health challenges.