Lived Experience Peer Cadet in Preston

Part time 3 days per week, flexibility with days, max term to June 2027. Bring your lived experience and gain valuable skills + paid employment. Multiple locations in St Kilda, Prahran, Cheltenham, Coburg and Preston.

This cadetship is open to people with lived or living experience of mental health challenges who are currently studying, or enrolled to commence, the Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work. The cadetship forms part of the course requirements. As a Lived Experience Peer Cadet, you’ll build your capability as a future peer worker by combining your studies with hands-on experience in real-world settings. You’ll learn how to use your lived experience safely, intentionally and purposefully to support others in their recovery journeys. You’ll work alongside experienced peer workers and lived and living experience (LLE) staff, gradually building confidence to contribute to team environments and provide peer support. Cadets are expected to be well-progressed in their own recovery journey to support safe participation in placements and team environments.

Throughout the program, you’ll be supported by a Senior Peer Mentor and the Victorian Peer Cadet Program Coordinator to develop your practice, strengthen your skills, and grow your professional identity as a peer worker. This is a structured and supportive learning environment where you will:

• Build practical skills in peer work
• Apply your studies in a supported placement
• Develop confidence using lived experience in practice

You’ll also receive regular supervision, reflective practice opportunities, and access to training such as Intentional Peer Support. At Uniting, cadets are part of our lived and living experience workforce and may be placed across:

• Adult Mental Health and Homelessness
• Voices Vic (Hearing Voices groups and training)
• Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) programs
• Carer programs
• Outreach mental health services

We are offering three part-time Peer Cadetship opportunities over 10 months, designed to support your learning, growth, and development as a peer worker. You will have one study day and two working days per week while completing your certificate, before transitioning to three working days per week once the certificate is completed. You will also have access to:

• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging benefits that can be used for living expenses such as groceries, bills, clothing and streaming services.
• Save on dining out and drinks with a meal entertainment benefit of $2,650 annually.
• Opt in or out of public holidays and be respected for your unique background.
• Employee discounts at Uniting Early Education services and Uniting op shops.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for wellbeing and counselling support.

You’ll bring with you:

• Current enrolment in, or confirmed enrolment to commence, Cert IV in Mental Health Peer Work and commitment to completing the qualification during the cadetship.
• Personal experience of mental health challenges, trauma, AOD and recovery plus a willingness to draw on these learnings intentionally and purposefully to support others.
• A well-developed recovery journey, enabling you to safely and meaningfully participate in team placements and contribute to the peer workforce.
• Emotional resilience, ability to sit with complexity and a commitment to self-care, reflection and ongoing learning.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build respectful relationships and maintain boundaries.
• Confidence working collaboratively in a team and a compassionate and non-judgemental approach.
• Basic digital skills (e.g. Microsoft Office, Teams) and ability to work across sites and/or remotely as required.

Uniting is a child safe organisation and is committed in everyday practice to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children, at all times. Employment with Uniting is subject to a satisfactory national (and international where relevant) police check and relevant Working with Children Check in your State prior to commencement of any paid or unpaid work and/or participation in any service or undertaking.