Carer/ Key Supports Lived Experience Worker - Eating Disorders

Position Description:

Title: Carer/ Key Supports Lived Experience Worker- Eating Disorders

Hours: 22.5 hours per week

Award: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award

Classification: SCHADS 4.2

Location: Place Based Brisbane and State- Wide Service reach (Telehealth)

To apply and be considered for this position, you need to submit the following:

• Current resume (maximum three pages)
• Response to Key Selection Criteria (maximum two pages)
• Contact details for three referees

The Carer/Key Supports Lived Experience Worker provides recovery-based peer support services to carers and loved ones of those experiencing an eating disorder. They work within the carer/Key Supports team and alongside the Lived Experience team to offer a safe, compassionate space to connect with a peer who understands what it is like to support someone overcoming an eating disorder.

This position operates within a collaborative team environment that is responsive to the needs of service users and is committed to continuous improvement and best practice principles. The Carer/Key Supports Lived Experience Worker is also required to work within the Vision and Mission of Eating Disorders Queensland (EDQ) and contribute to organisational objectives.

Eating Disorders Queensland (EDQ)

EDQ is a state-wide, community-based not-for-profit organisation. We support both individuals who are living with an eating disorder, their carers, loved ones, and key support people.

Support options include therapeutic and psychosocial support for individuals, coaching, and community connection for carers. EDQ also provides early intervention opportunities with community education events focused on creating healthy relationships with food and our bodies. We are passionate about eradicating weight stigma and diet culture.

Our Values: Nurture, Empowerment, Integrity, Innovation, and Collaboration.

Our Vision: is a world free from Eating Disorders.

Our Mission is to facilitate hope and recovery for all people affected by Eating Disorders.

Working Principles

• Valuing relationships, self-care, care and connection through engagement and capacity building.
• Strong collaborative shared decision-making environment.
• Respectful and recovery-orientated empowerment and strengths-based processes promote empowerment, self-determination, inclusion, and choice.
• Promoting individual and social change as well as prevention.
• Valuing each person and Lived Experience.
• Recognising the interactive impact of individual factors, family factors (including genetics), socio-cultural factors, and gender on the development, maintenance, and prevention of eating issues.
• We value the vital role that medical and psychiatric services can have in recovery from an eating issue and offer our services as a partner as well as an alternative to the medical model, depending on the client’s need.
• Workplace health and safety (WHS) responsibilities: All employees must take reasonable care for their health and safety and that of other personnel affected by their conduct.

Perks & Benefits

• Supportive and collaborative work culture and public health events and advocacy
• Ongoing training and supervision throughout the role
• Close to multiple public transport options
• A workplace that values the voice of Lived Experience.
• Safe culture for those with a Lived Experience of Eating Disorders
• Salary packaging and leave loading offered

Key Responsibilities

• Work in line with EDQ’s policies and procedures
• Work in line with EDQ’s Lived Experience Practice Framework
• Provide information about Eating Disorders and available internal and external support/treatment options
• Understanding and practical knowledge of Motivational interviewing.
• Understanding and utilising RAVES principles around adequate nutrition
• Be able to conduct a one-on-one peer support session with carers, structuring sessions in line with carer needs
• Deliver recovery-oriented intentional peer support to carers and loved ones supporting those with an eating disorder
• Maintain appropriate boundaries around intentional peer support, appropriate self-disclosure, and not move into a therapeutic or friendship role.
• Foster a collaborative culture committed to reflective practice, individual/team supervision, professional development, and professional ethics.
• Provide telephone support, information and referral services to clients, families, carers, professionals, and the broader community.
• Provide education to clients on the eating disorder sector, available treatment options, and concepts such as Phases of Recovery.
• Provide a Lived Experience role in groups, community engagement events and peer mentoring programs.
• Proactively communicate as a team member, contributing to shared work functions and team processes.
• Maintain a client management system including session notes, measurement tools and report generation.

Reporting Relationships

This position reports to the Lived Experience Team Coordinator and Senior Practitioner and works closely with the Eating Disorder Carer/ Key Support Coaches and Lived Experience team

Funding:

All positions offered by EDQ are conditional on recurrent funding from the Qld Government. Therefore, EDQ offers fixed-term contracts in line with funding timelines.

Key Selection Criteria:

1. Have a Lived Experience of supporting someone with an eating disorder
2. Holding a qualification in Peer/Lived Experience Work or Allied Health/Public Health/Human Services (or similar) is highly valued but not essential.
3. Training and experience in the Eating Disorders field is highly valued but not essential.
4. Has completed (or willing) EDQ Carer Peer Mentor training; EDQ’s online meal support training – The Shared Table and First Steps to Eating Disorder Support – Non- Clinical Training.
5. Be familiar with and align with state and national peer workforce guidelines.
6. Deliver peer support sessions within an intentional peer worker framework and have knowledge of motivational interviewing, solution-focused and strengths-based approaches.
7. The ability to communicate the process of eating disorder recovery to carers/loved ones whose person is still going through recovery
8. A high level of awareness around personal self-care, boundaries and a range of practical strategies used to maintain wellness.
9. A focus on intentional peer support, motivational interviewing techniques and a strengths-based approach.
10. Familiarity with the eating disorder sector, including different treatment options available.
11. Work in collaboration with an extended treatment team driven by carer goals and needs.
12. Demonstrated abilities in interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and engagement strategies, especially in engaging people with Eating Disorders.
13. Support state-wide service, travel might be required.

Applicant must possess or obtain the following:

• Valid and current driver’s license.
• Current or able to obtain Queensland Working with Children Check (‘Blue Card’).
• Current or able to obtain Queensland ‘Yellow Card’ Application for criminal history screening.
• Registration with the relevant professional body (e.g. AASW, PACFA, AHPRA etc) (if applicable).

Applications are invited from Australian citizens or persons with full Australian residency status with relevant experience. People of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply for this role.

Please send your application to *****@edq.org.au. We will be conducting interviews as we receive applications.