Peer Support Worker, Hall Ward (CHW)

NSW Health; Sydney; On-site; AUD 77,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work opportunities

Salary packaging and meal entertain.

Accrued days off (ADOs)

Fitness passport

Employee assistance program (EAP)

Job summary

NSW Health is seeking a Youth Peer Support Worker to assist the transition of youth from acute inpatient to community care. You will use CHIME-based strategies to support recovery, engage with consumers, and work with a multidisciplinary team to implement goals.

A passion for empowering young people and applying trauma-informed care is essential. You will contribute to developing care models, provide non-clinical support, and participate in advocacy to keep recovery at the forefront of planning

Qualifications

• Lived experience with recovery and sharing it safely with others.
• Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work or willingness to obtain within 12 months.
• Degree in a relevant field may affect pay at Graduate rate.
• Experience in acute mental health service teams with diverse clinicians.
• Understanding of recovery and trauma-informed care in mental health.

Responsibilities

• Support MH consumers during transition from acute inpatient to community care.
• Engage with consumers using CHIME framework and promote recovery goals.
• Collaborate with clinical teams to implement recovery plans and follow-up.
• Advocate for recovery-focused interventions and model care improvements.
• Liaise with nursing and staff to address consumer issues and feedback.

Skills

Lived experience

MH service experience

Group interventions

Policies knowledge

Trauma-informed care

Communication skills

Driver's license

Education

Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work

Degree in a relevant field

Job description

Employment Type:PermanentFull Time
Position Classification:Health Educ Off Grad
Remuneration:77299 - 123504 full-time equivalent base salary range (+12% super + 17.5% leave loading and salary packaging)
Hours Per Week:38
Requisition ID:REQ705222
Location: Westmead
Applications Close: Midnight on 15 November 2026
For role related queries or questions contact Gena Hughes on ***********@health.nsw.gov.au

As the largest paediatric health service in Australia, we care for thousands of children each year, in hospital and at home. Our people are united by compassion, collaboration and excellence in care.

What you'll be doing

The Youth Peer Support Worker (YPSW) is a member of the multi-disciplinary team who assists mental health (MH) consumer's transition from Acute Inpatient to Community Care. They facilitate transition in the context of a supportive, collaborative relationship that ensures engagement with community organisations. Facilitating hope in recovery and using a strength based approach to empower young people.

They provide non-clinical support to consumers drawing on the CHIME framework (Connectedness, Hope and optimism, Identity, Meaning, Empowerment) during an acute inpatient admission. They draw on their lived experience to; engage, work alongside consumers and clinical teams to implement recovery goals and provide assertive community follow-up.

As a multi-disciplinary team member the YPSW has an advocacy and consultative role. They use their lived experience and engagement with consumers to support the development of models of care, address systemic experiences of mental health consumers. They seek feedback to enhance service delivery and optimise outcomes. They consult to nursing and clinical staff on consumer issues and advocate for recovery goals to be at the forefront of clinical interventions and planning.

Additional Benefits (where applicable): Flexible work opportunities, Salary packaging and meal entertainment benefits, accrued days off (ADOs), fitness passport, employee assistance program (EAP)

Child Safe Standards:
SCHN is committed to maintaining a child-safe environment that respects and upholds the rights of children and young people, in line with NSW Health’s commitment to the Child Safe Standards.We aim to ensure that children and young people feel safe, supported, and included in their care. All current and prospective staff are expected to prioritise the safety, welfare, and well-being of children and young people, actively working to protect them from harm and abuse.

Additional Information:

SCHN is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity, recognising that a diverse workforce strengthens our culture and enhances the care we provide to children, young people and their families.

Permanent NSW Health roles require Australian citizenship or permanent residency. Temporary visa holders may be considered where no suitable Australian citizen or permanent resident is identified.

Where required, overseas qualifications must be formally assessed by the Department of Education or relevant authority for recognition in Australia.

An Eligibility List may be created for future permanent and temporary full or part time vacancies.

Responses to the questions below:

• Personal "lived experience" with recovery of being a consumer of a mental health service and demonstrated experience of safely sharing lived experience with others.
• Experience working in acute mental health service and a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work (consumer) or willingness to obtain this qualification within 12 months of appointment. A degree in a relevant field is required for payment at Graduate rate.
• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary team with clinicians from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience developing and running peer lead interventions particularly in a group context.
• An understanding of the nature of mental health service delivery, including knowledge of State and national policies and directions for mental health services.
• A demonstrated understanding of "recovery" and "trauma Informed care" as they relate to people experiencing mental health issues.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills including demonstrated advanced listening skills, and experience building trust and rapport.
• Unrestricted NSW drivers licence.