Peer Worker

Open Minds; South Grafton; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Leave loading 17.5%

Employee Assistance Program

Retail discounts

Professional development

Career growth

Job summary

Open Minds is seeking a Peer Worker in Grafton to support individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges. The role focuses on compassionate, trauma-informed care and building independence through social connection and personal goals.

You will receive structured training, including social prescribing, and be part of a diverse team dedicated to client and team growth. A current driver licence and Working With Children Check are required.

Qualifications

• Lived experience of mental health challenges.
• Ability to well-manage mental health.
• Familiarity with local services and support networks.

Responsibilities

• Connect and build rapport with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Link clients to services that focus on capacity building and wellbeing skills.
• Advocate for clients and the voice of lived experience.
• Apply ethical guidelines around confidentiality and boundaries.
• Engage in structured peer and team training.

Skills

Lived experience

Trauma-informed care

Communication

Education

Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work

Job description

Join our Community Living Support team in Grafton. We work with people to build independence and confidence by focusing on their values and personal goals, while encouraging social connection and a sense of belonging in the community.

As a Peer Worker, you’ll draw on your lived or living experience of mental health challenges and how you have learnt to well manage your mental health to provide compassionate, trauma informed care. You’ll receive a structured training package, including social prescribing, to guide your practice. You’ll be part of a diverse, welcoming team focused on client and team growth.

An essential requirement for this position is a lived or living experience of mental health challenges, the ability to well-manage one’s mental health, and use your experience effectively with people managing chronic and complex mental health difficulties.

Responsibilities

• Connect and build rapport with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, CALD and LGBTIQA+SB individuals.
• Promote independence by linking clients to services that focus on capacity building, wellbeing skills, and co-facilitate group programs and outreach activities.
• Utilise your lived experience to advocate for clients and the voice of lived experience.
• Implement knowledge of ethical considerations around confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Engage in structured peer and team training and work from these approaches.

Perks & Benefits

• Salary packaging options up to $15,900 and $2,650 for meal and entertainment p/a of tax-free income.
• 17.5% annual leave loading and access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Competitive pay rates and exclusive discounts at hundreds of leading retailers, travel providers, and service brands.
• In-house ongoing professional development and access to an online learning platform.
• Grow your career your way with opportunities across Vertaview Group, including Mental Health and Youth programs, Behaviour Support and Frontline Support Services.

Requirements

• Personal lived experience of mental health challenges and ability to well manage mental health challenges
• Familiarity with local services and support networks
• Current Driver Licence
• Current Working With Children Check
• Current National Police Check
• Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work (or willing to obtain)

About Open Minds

Open Minds has delivered mental health services across NSW and QLD for over 114 years, including headspace centres, Medicare Mental Health Centres, universal aftercare, psychosocial programs, and clinical care coordination.

Diversity is Strength. We encourage people from diverse ages, gender, identity, cultural backgrounds and experience including First nations peoples, Cultural and linguistically diverse, LGBTIQA+SB, lived/ peer, mental health experience, to apply for this position.