Mental Health Support Worker - Community Living Support (CLS)

Uniting; Newcastle-Maitland; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Me Days (4)

CPD Days (4)

Fleet vehicles

EAP service

Professional development

Job summary

Uniting is hiring a Mental Health Support Worker for Community Living Support (CLS) in Newcastle. The role provides psychosocial supports to adults 16+ with severe mental health conditions, helping them build independence and community connections, under supervision from a Team Leader.

The role involves transitional support from hospital to community and collaboration with NSW Health Districts to improve quality of life and recovery outcomes.

Qualifications

• Minimum Certificate IV in Mental Health or Community Services.
• Social Work/Psychology/Counselling qualifications may be considered.
• Experience in mental health or community services setting preferred.
• Recovery-oriented and person-centred practice understood.

Responsibilities

• Identify and support consumers to achieve recovery goals.
• Assist with appointments with GPs and mental health services.
• Support daily living skills, including meal planning and budgeting.
• Encourage social inclusion and community connections.
• Support during housing, legal and health-related matters.
• Document progress and outcomes to support service delivery.

Skills

Empathy

Resilience

Communication

Recovery-oriented practice

Teamwork

Record-keeping

Education

Certificate IV in Mental Health or Community Services

Social Work / Psychology / Counselling qualifications (considered)

Job description

Mental Health Support Worker - Community Living Support (CLS)

At Uniting, we’ve been delivering Community Mental Health Support work for over 20years. What started on a smaller scale has grown across NSW, reflecting the increasing need for quality, recovery-focused mental health support in our communities.

About the Opportunity

The is a permanent full-time opportunity working 38 hours/ week, where you will be required to provide community outreach support across Newcastle.

We’re looking for an empathetic and resilient Mental Health Support Worker to join our collaborative Newcastle team. This is an opportunity to work alongside people living with severe and persistent mental health conditions, supporting them to build independence, strengthen community connections, and work towards the recovery goals that matter most to them.

As a Mental Health Support Worker, you’ll work closely with a Team Leader and Senior Mental Health Support Workers to provide flexible, individualised psychosocial supports to consumers aged 16 years and over.

You’ll support people transitioning from hospital into the community, as well as those referred through Local Health Districts and other community services, helping them achieve greater independence and improved quality of life.

About You In the Role

• Supporting consumers to identify and achieve their recovery goals.
• Assisting with appointments including but not limited to GPs, mental health services and community treatment order requirements.
• Building confidence with daily living skills, including meal planning and budgeting.
• Encouraging social inclusion and connection with local community groups and activities.
• Supporting consumers through significant life events, including housing, legal and health-related matters.
• Documenting progress and outcomes to support quality service delivery.

About Community Living Supports (CLS)
The Enhanced Adult Community Living Supports (CLS) program is a voluntary community outreach service supporting adults living with severe and persistent mental health conditions.

Using a recovery-oriented and capacity-building framework, we work alongside consumers to:

• Build independence and resilience.
• Strengthen community connections.
• Develop practical life skills.
• Improve wellbeing and quality of life.
• Achieve their own identified recovery goals.

About You

We’re looking for someone who is compassionate, adaptable and committed to supporting people on their recovery journey.

• A minimum Certificate IV in Mental Health or Community Services.
• Qualifications in Social Work, Psychology or Counselling may also be considered.
• Experience working within a mental health or community services setting.
• An understanding of recovery-oriented and person-centred practice.
• The ability to build trusting professional relationships with consumers and stakeholders.
• Emotional resilience and excellent communication skills.
• A collaborative approach to teamwork and shared caseload requirements.
• Strong organisational and record-keeping skills.

Most importantly, you’ll have a genuine belief that recovery is possible and a passion for supporting people to live meaningful lives within their communities.

What We Offer

At Uniting, you’ll be part of an organisation committed to making a positive impact in the lives of vulnerable people and communities.

• A supportive and experienced team environment.
• Comprehensive induction and buddy program.
• Ongoing learning and professional development opportunities.
• Fleet vehicles available for community outreach.
• The opportunity to work within a respected, established and growing mental health program.
• The chance to make a genuine difference in the lives of people experiencing complex mental health challenges.
• EAP- Free confidential wellbeing and counselling service for employees and their families
• Operational and clinical supervision
• Salary Packaging - up to $18,500 per annum to increase your take-home pay
• Ongoing training and development
• 4 Me Days – extra paid leave each year (pro rata) to rest, recharge, and focus on what matters most
• 4 CPD Days per calendar year (pro-rata Part time employees)
• U Rewards – exclusive discounts from leading retailers

Employment with Uniting is subject to satisfactory background checks, which include National Police Checks, Working with Children Checks and Reference Checks.

About Uniting

When you’re part of Uniting NSW.ACT, you’re part of a diverse, purpose-led team of people making a real difference in the world around them. We contribute to the work and mission of the Uniting Church in NSW and the ACT through social justice advocacy, community services and spiritual care. Our purpose is to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice.

Uniting acknowledges the continuing sovereignty and rich cultural diversity of Australia’s First Peoples. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Peoples on whose lands we live and work.

Uniting is a Child Safe Organisation committed to promoting the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of children and young people.