At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide peer-based support to individuals in mental health distress, fostering hope and recovery.
- Company: Crisis Support Space, a compassionate alternative to clinical environments.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, salary packaging, free EAP, and a supportive workplace culture.
- Other info: Join a values-led team focused on wellbeing, diversity, and continuous learning.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives using your lived experience to inspire hope.
- Qualifications: Lived experience of mental health challenges and a Certificate IV in Mental Health.
The Crisis Support Space (CSS) provides a safe, welcoming, and compassionate alternative to the clinical hospital environment for people experiencing mental health distress or crisis, including those having thoughts of suicide. Located alongside the Emergency Department, CSS offers a non-clinical, peer‑led environment where people can access support grounded in connection, hope, and shared understanding. As a Recovery Mentor, you'll work alongside individuals experiencing mental health distress, offering recovery‑focused support informed by your own lived experience.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide recovery‑oriented, peer‑based support to people experiencing mental health distress or crisis.
- Use your lived experience appropriately to inspire hope, model recovery, and foster meaningful connections.
- Build trusting relationships that promote safety, dignity, choice, and empowerment.
- Collaborate with clinical teams and community partners to deliver holistic, person‑centred support.
- Help create a welcoming, inclusive, and psychologically safe environment where people feel heard, valued, and respected.
Required Experience and Qualifications
- Lived experience is an essential requirement for this position; we welcome applications from people with lived experience of mental health challenges, either as a consumer or carer, who can use their experiences purposefully to support others in their recovery.
- A Certificate IV in Mental Health, or equivalent experience in a peer support, mental health, or human services environment.
- A strong commitment to peer work values, recovery‑oriented practice, and person‑centred, trauma‑informed support.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build authentic, trusting relationships.
- The ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team while maintaining professional boundaries and ethical practice.
- A commitment to reflective practice, including participating in regular supervision, ongoing learning, and professional development.
- The resilience, compassion, and self‑awareness to support people experiencing mental health distress while maintaining your own wellbeing.
Legal and Safety Requirements
This is an Identified Lived Experience role under Section 25 of the Anti‑Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld), requiring applicants to have a personal lived experience of mental health challenges and recovery. All successful applicants will be required to undergo a Criminal History Check (NDIS Worker Screening Clearance).
Working Hours
Recovery Mentors work across a rotating roster aligned with the service's operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 3:00pm – 11:00pm
- Saturday & Sunday (AM): 7:30am – 3:30pm
- Saturday & Sunday (PM): 3:00pm – 11:00pm
Benefits
- Pay: $58.38 – $62.81 per hour (inclusive of a 25% casual loading where applicable).
- Salary packaging of up to $15,900 for general living expenses, plus an additional $2,650 for meal and entertainment expenses, with novated leasing options available.
- Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your immediate family.
- A supportive, values‑led workplace that champions wellbeing, diversity, and continuous learning.
Recovery Mentor - Ipswich employer: Richmond Fellowship
As a Recovery Mentor at the Crisis Support Space in Ipswich, you'll join a compassionate team dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming environment for individuals experiencing mental health distress. Our values-led workplace prioritises employee wellbeing and offers extensive support, including salary packaging options and access to an Employee Assistance Program. With a strong focus on personal growth and professional development, this role not only allows you to make a meaningful impact in the community but also fosters your own recovery journey through shared experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Recovery Mentor - Ipswich
✨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 Richmond Fellowship.
✨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 Richmond Fellowship!
✨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 Richmond Fellowship, 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 Richmond Fellowship or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
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 Richmond Fellowship:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Richmond Fellowship! 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 Richmond Fellowship
✨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.
