At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals on their mental health recovery journeys and help them achieve their dreams.
- Company: Flourish Australia, a leading community mental health organisation.
- Benefits: Tax-free salary packaging, generous leave, flexible working conditions, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to mental health recovery and community support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while using your own lived experience.
- Qualifications: Certificate IV or 2 years experience in human services; personal lived experience of mental health challenges.
The predicted salary is between 26912 - 32892 £ per year.
Walk alongside people on their mental health recovery journeys and support them to achieve their hopes and dreams! Flourish Australia has an exciting opportunity for a Peer Worker to join our established Penrith team.
The position available is:
- Full-time (76 hours per fortnight)
- Based at Penrith
- Working Monday to Friday
- Level 3 on the Flourish Australia Enterprise Agreement (2018) equivalent to $40.49-$43.42/hour + Super + Tax-Free Salary Packaging
About the Opportunity
As a Peer Worker, you will work in the community to support people accessing our services who have a lived experience of mental health challenges to achieve their hopes and dreams. Your personal lived experience of mental health challenges, trauma, recovery and navigating services is recognised as a form of Lived Experience Expertise. You use this expertise intentionally, safely, and purposefully to build relationships grounded in mutuality, shared understanding, respect, and hope. Through authentic connection and values-aligned self-disclosure, you support people to explore their strengths, rights, choices, and self-defined recovery goals, always honouring their roles as the expert in their own life.
On a day to day basis you will:
- Effectively and appropriately hold recovery and social citizenship conversations with people who access our services in order to connect with them, support them and build reciprocity, via mutual understanding, trust and shared experience.
- Effectively and appropriately guide and support each individual in their recovery and be strengths, ability and possibility focused, whilst ensuring they are the leads in their own recovery journey.
- Effectively contribute to decreasing stigma and discrimination around having a lived experience of a mental health challenge.
- Support the person to access activities and opportunities that promote independence.
- Support skill development at every opportunity through self-directed learning, information, training, and education.
To learn more about becoming a Peer Worker with Flourish Australia, we encourage you to review An Introduction to Peer Work at Flourish Australia, which provides a clear overview of the role. You can also deepen your understanding of our Peer Work model by exploring our Peer Workforce Framework.
Please note - Successful candidates must maintain an Australian drivers license and proof of comprehensive insurance must be provided when required. You may be directed to use your private motor vehicle in the course of performing your duties when an organisational pool motor vehicle is unavailable. You will receive the Travelling Transport and Fares Allowance when using your private vehicle for work related purposes.
Who we are
Flourish Australia is one of Australia’s most experienced community mental health organisations. Our purpose is to support people to flourish, believe in their futures, and become contributing members of the community. Our services are comprehensive and highly personalised because each person’s experience will be different and their needs, as an individual, are unique. Together we set goals, connect individuals with the right people, support services and opportunities to meet their needs. Our positions are open to all suitably qualified applicants. We have a strong commitment to the participation of people with lived experience of mental health issues in our workforce. We value diversity and encourage applications from suitably qualified people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities, LGBTQ+ communities and mature age candidates.
Selection Criteria
Essential:
- A Certificate IV or above in a relevant field OR a minimum of 2-years full-time experience working in the human services field (as recognised by Flourish Australia).
- A personal lived experience of a mental health challenge and recovery.
- Willing and able to effectively, respectfully, and appropriately use your lived experience of a mental health challenge and recovery.
- Demonstrated alignment to Flourish Australia’s values.
- A strong understanding and commitment to recovery-based practice in the workplace.
- Understanding of the challenges faced by people with a lived experience of mental health challenges.
- Understanding of, and ability to effectively use, Microsoft Office and knowledge of data information management systems.
- Maintain a current Australian Driver’s Licence (willingness to travel independently in the community for community-based support).
For further information, please contact Kirsty.Sinclair, Manager. E: Kirsty.Sinclair@flourishaustralia.org.au (please do not email applications).
The Benefits
Flourish Australia recognises and values its people as demonstrated by:
- Level 3 (SCHCADS) on the Flourish Australia Enterprise Agreement (2018)
- Tax-free Salary Packaging available up to $15,900 + additional $2,650 for entertainment benefits such as meals and holiday accommodation
- Generous leave provisions including 17.5% leave loading + 2 additional days of personal leave + extra day paid leave over Christmas/New Year + paid parental leave
- Family-friendly and flexible working conditions
- Opportunities for career progression, professional development and training such as Mental Health First Aid and ASIST
- Employee Assistance Program for confidential wellbeing support
- Workplace Community Groups such as our Rainbow Network for LGBTQ+ staff members & allies and YarnUp for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff members
- Exclusive personal Fleet pricing discounts with our preferred automotive supplier
- Employee discounts at 400+ popular retailers (Woolworths, Expedia, Myer, Kmart etc)
All appointments with Flourish Australia's Mental Health Services are subject to an NDIS Worker Screening clearance, a National Criminal History Check, a WWCC, previous employment reference checks, satisfactory Australian residency status and other background checks. All successful applicants will be required to declare any private or secondary employment prior to commencement in line with Flourish Australia's Private or Secondary Employment Policy.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, please complete all the questions asked. You will then be required to attach a copy of your resume on the following page, we encourage you to have your resume up-to-date and available before you commence the application. Applications close 5pm, 20th November.
Apply Now!
Peer Worker in Penrith employer: Flourish Australia
Flourish Australia is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its employees. With a strong commitment to flexible working conditions and comprehensive training opportunities, including ASIST and Trauma-Informed Care, staff are empowered to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those they support. The supportive work culture fosters collaboration and encourages personal development, making it an ideal place for individuals passionate about mental health recovery.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Peer Worker in Penrith
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Flourish Australia.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Flourish Australia!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Flourish Australia, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Flourish Australia or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Peer Worker in Penrith
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Flourish Australia:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Flourish Australia! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Flourish Australia
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
