Peer Support Worker

MA MISSION AUSTRALIA; Broken Hill; On-site; AUD 42,000 - 60,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Not-for-profit salary packaging

Free external confidential counselling

Volunteering opportunities

Additional annual leave

Extra leave incl. Thank You Day & Work

Job summary

Mission Australia is seeking a Peer Support Worker for the Safe Haven team in Broken Hill. You will use your lived experience to provide compassionate, non-judgemental support to people in psychological distress or suicidal crisis in a welcoming, non-clinical setting.

This role involves working with clinicians, developing recovery and safety plans, connecting people to services, running group activities, and maintaining accurate case notes and reports.

Qualifications

• Lived experience of mental ill health and recovery, and/or lived experience of suicidal crisis or caring for someone.
• Strong understanding of professional boundaries and recovery-oriented practice.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to obtain, or hold, a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work.
• Current NSW Driver Licence.
• Capacity to work rostered hours including evenings, weekends and public holidays.
• National police history check, referee checks and suitability to work with children/vulnerable people.

Responsibilities

• Welcome and engage people in distress or suicidal crisis in a safe, supportive environment.
• Work with clinicians to ensure appropriate supports are in place.
• Build trusting relationships to foster hope, connection and recovery.
• Share lived experience to support and inspire others.
• Assist consumers to develop recovery and safety plans.
• Connect people with community supports and networks.
• Provide individual and group peer support activities.
• Liaise with stakeholders to support positive client outcomes.
• Maintain accurate documentation, case notes, safety plans and reports.
• Participate in team learning, mentoring, and community engagement.

Education

Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work

Job description

Permanent Part Time | 27 Hours per week $37.08 per Hour + penalty rates + NFP Salary Packaging Afternoons/ Evenings and Weekend roster Location: Broken Hill NSW 2880

Your Opportunity

You know that recovery is possible. Whether you've experienced mental health challenges yourself, supported someone through a suicidal crisis, or navigated your own journey of healing and recovery, you understand the power of connection, hope and being truly heard. At Mission Australia, we're looking for a Peer Support Worker to join our Safe Haven team, supporting people experiencing psychological distress or suicidal crisis. Drawing on your lived experience, you'll provide compassionate, non-judgemental support in a welcoming, non-clinical environment, helping people feel safe, connected and empowered to take the next step in their recovery journey. The Safe Haven service operates in partnership with NSW Health and provides immediate support, practical assistance and pathways to ongoing care for people when they need it most. The role's purpose is to provide peer support and appropriate follow-up to people presenting in suicidal crisis or distress.

How you'll make a difference

• Welcome and engage people experiencing distress or suicidal crisis in a safe and supportive environment.
• Work alongside clinicians and other service providers to ensure appropriate supports are in place.
• Build trusting relationships that foster hope, connection and recovery.
• Share your lived experience purposefully to support and inspire others.
• Assist consumers to develop individual recovery and safety plans.
• Connect people with community supports activities, services and networks that enhance wellbeing.
• Provide individual and group peer support activities.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to support positive client outcomes.
• Maintain accurate documentation, case notes, safety plans and reports in line with service requirements.
• Participate in team learning, mentoring, continuous improvement and community engagement activities.
• Respond to referrals from internal and external support services.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Lived experience of mental ill health and recovery, and experience navigating the mental health service system; and/or Lived experience of suicidal crisis, caring for someone experiencing suicidal crisis, or bereavement through suicide.
• A strong understanding of professional boundaries and the value of recovery-oriented practice.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A commitment to self-care, reflective practice and ongoing learning.
• The ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Confidence using computer systems and maintaining accurate records.
• A willingness to obtain, or currently hold, a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work.
• A current NSW Driver Licence.
• Capacity to work rostered hours, including evenings, weekends and public holidays where required.
• Before starting work with us, you will need to undertake a national police history check- qualifications, and referee checks, and have a clearance to work with children/vulnerable people. Please note that disclosing convictions will not automatically preclude you from our recruitment process.

Your benefits

• Rewarding work – every day you know you’re making a real difference
• Not-for-profit salary packaging, reducing your tax (details via AccessPay)
• Free external, confidential counselling and access to chaplaincy support
• Volunteering opportunities
• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave
• Extra leave including: Mission Australia Thank You Day & Work Anniversary Day off

Our culture

Our innovative and inclusive culture will ensure you feel valued at Mission Australia as you help Australians in need and develop in your career. We prioritise the safety and wellbeing of everyone, both within our team and the individuals we serve. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment. We actively support and encourage people of all backgrounds; gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, religion, and sexual orientation to submit an application and aim to ensure that the recruitment and employee experience is as accessible and inclusive as possible. So, whoever you are, if you’re skilled and actively support our purpose and values, you would be welcome at Mission Australia.

We strongly encourage applications from people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

Mission Australia is a national Christian charity motivated by a shared vision of an Australia where everyone has a safe home and can thrive. Since 1859, we’ve been standing alongside people in need across Australia, offering real hope that has lasting impact. Backed by our supporters, churches, partners, and funders, we work together for the long-term wellbeing of anyone who needs us, reflecting our values of respect, compassion, integrity, perseverance and celebration. We collaborate with people experiencing homelessness or disadvantage to tackle the root causes of their challenges through providing access to safe, affordable homes and innovative, evidence-based support services. Every day we deliver homelessness crisis and prevention services, provide social and affordable housing, assist struggling families and children, address mental health issues, fight substance dependencies, support people with disability and much more. Mission Australia believes a person’s circumstances shouldn’t define their future and that given the right support, everyone can reach their full potential. That’s why we stand together with Australians in need, until they can stand for themselves.

Learn more about Mission Australia and our purpose.