Carer Peer Worker - Benalla & Wangaratta Mental Health Local

Support major mental health reform in Victoria to ensure that everyone is supported.

This is an amazing opportunity to shape the future of peer and community-led mental health services by being part of the launch of the Local Mental Health and Wellbeing Service in Benalla & Wangaratta.

This local support is a key recommendation of the recent Royal Commission into Victoria's mental health system and promises to make our community a better place to live.

About the service

Wellways, Albury Wodonga Health and ACSO are working together to provide mental health and wellbeing supports in Benalla & Wangaratta to ensure everyone can access treatment and care closer to home.   

The new Benalla & Wangaratta Mental Health Local will provide welcoming and inclusive support for people aged 26 years and over who are experiencing mental health challenges, including people with co-occurring alcohol and drug addiction treatment and care needs.  

We are working with the local community and people who have a personal experience of mental health issues and recovery to build these services so they are the best they can be.  Our services will be led by lived experience and coproduced with the local community so they are the best they can be. 

The Benalla & Wangaratta Mental Health Local is committed to reconciliation, lived experience and inclusivity. We strongly encourage and warmly welcome people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, people with a lived experience of mental health and disability and people who identify as LGBTIQA+ to apply. Even if you only meet some of the criteria, we'd love to hear from you. 

Role Purpose

The Carer Peer Worker, employed by Wellways, will utilise their personal lived or living experience of supporting a person with a mental illness, including people with co-occurring substance use or addiction, to support family members, carers and supporters of the Local Mental Health and wellbeing service.

Main responsibilities of the role include:

• Providing 1:1 Peer support to carers
• Organising Network Meetings
• Providing Group intervention training and delivering the Wellways Discovery course to carers

You will play a vital role in ensuring that consumers, carers and their families receive valuable and supportive care.

Requirements

• Personal experience of supporting a person with a mental illness, or psychological distress and recovery
• Certificate IV/Diploma in Mental Health, AOD or tertiary qualification in social science or 1+ year relevant work experience in mental health sector or intentional Peer Support Training National
• Demonstrated knowledge of caring roles and the impact on Carers health and wellbeing to determine support requirements
• Demonstrated skill in establishing empowering and supportive partnerships with individuals and families
• In the establishment phase the operating hours will be Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5.00pm. In 2023 the local will begin to operate 7 days a week.  This position will be required to work afternoons until 8pm and weekends according to a rotating roster. 
• Police Check, Working with Children Check, Evidence of right to work within Australia and evidence of COVID-19 booster vaccination or valid medical exemption.

Benefits

• Values driven, Not-for-profit, with many Lived Experience dedicated roles
• Flexible working arrangements
• Access to salary packaging and leave loading
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities

The Mental Health Locals teams will have an amazing opportunity to drive much-needed mental health improvements for our communities.  

For a confidential discussion about the role contact Mariana Curti, Recruitment Advisor on 03 7064 1636 or at mcurti1@wellways.org using the subject line: Carer Peer Worker - Benalla & Wangaratta Mental Health Local enquiry via EthicalJobs.