Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCIA) is a not-for-profit organisation working for people with spinal cord injury (SCI).

We are passionate about continually improving our service offerings and driving innovation to provide maximum opportunity for those affected by a life-changing traumatic injury. Our objective is to carry out and support the organisation in the achievement of its vision “A society without barriers for people with SCI”.

What we do:

• Enhance people’s functionality and health through exercise.
• Offer a one-stop-shop for information on services, advice and support available.
• Share the lived experience of having an SCI through peer support.
• Influence social change on a systemic, representative, and individual level.
• Provide temporary and emergency care to people in their homes as required.
• Offer Support Coordination and Plan Management services for NDIS participants.
• Support people back into employment, education, or training.
• Operate an Australian Disability Enterprise that employs people with disability and pays full award wages.
• Provide accommodation for people transitioning home from hospital, or who need a break.

SCIA was founded by people with Spinal Cord Injuries. We employ and support people living with SCI and neurological disabilities and at present, people with disability make up 30% of our staff, and much of our Board. We are a member-based organisation, with more than 2,000 members that include people with disability, their families, carers, and professionals in the sector.

As a registered National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider, we are committed to the ongoing improvement of our processes and procedures to ensure that our service delivery complies with the National Practice Principles and NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

SCIA’s Peer Support Services

Our team currently work in the spinal injury units around Sydney and in the community the Central West and Bathurst supporting people who are newly injured regain their independence, adjust to life with an injury and improve their overall wellbeing. The team share their own lived experience and assist with the practical application of core knowledge and skills for people with injuries and their families.

The Peer and Family Support team are out and about in the community ensuring they have the latest information on new equipment, assistive technology, products and services. Whether this is accessing care, modifying their home, or finding out the best transport options in the community, the Peer and Family Support team coordinate SCI people with other organisations and share their combined knowledge to offer full support. We know that everyone’s post injury experience is different. We assist without judgement.

The Role:

We are seeking our next Acute Family Peer Mentor to support the SCI community in the Randwick and St Leonards areas in Sydney. The role, which is part-time at 15 hours per week, will primarily target people who have sustained a spinal cord injury (SCI) living in the community.

The Peer and Family Support team share lived experience of living with SCI and assist with the practical application of core knowledge and skills for people with newly acquired spinal cord injuries and their families.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCIA) are establishing an innovative new program designed to support family members during the days and weeks in acute care immediately following their loved one’s spinal cord injury (SCI). This will comprise of:

• Meeting with family members in NSW SCIUs to provide individualised, one-on-one support and practical advice drawing from your lived experience.
• Facilitating a weekly family support group for informal, semi-structured discussion co-facilitated with SCIUs Social Work team.
• Developing and regularly contributing resources and information targeted at family members of people with SCI. This will sit within SCIA’s online Resource Hub with future views to expand to a smart app.
• Engaging with stakeholders, clinicians, social workers, clients and support services to promote the service, understand needs and evaluate feedback.

Skills & Experience

Experience:

• You are a family member of a person with SCI.
• Minimum of two years since your family member’s SCI.
• Knowledge of the SCI Acute phase based on your experience with your family member.
• A proven track record of building strong relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Assisted your family member with SCI to transition home and navigate life outside of spinal rehabilitation.

Skills:

• Experience with Microsoft Office (particularly Outlook, Word and Excel).
• Sound written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work positively with people to reach their individual goals.
• Ability to use a person-centred approach to listen and take direction from clients.
• Locating resources and information relevant to SCI and using resources efficiently.
• Ability to meet KPI’s established by and with you.
• Accurately completing administrative tasks and records.
• Ability to work well within a team and autonomously.
• Ability to report on progress and outcomes.
• Adhere to SCIA policies and procedures and all other relevant government legislation and standards, including workplace health, safety and well responsibility.
• Uphold SCIA's image and reputation in context of own role.

Desired:

• Current Drivers Licence.
• Qualification or relevant experience with Case Management, Social Work or Psychology.
• Qualification or relevant experience of working with people with disability.

In addition, successful applicants will be required to undergo and maintain the following:

• Working With Vulnerable People check.
• Working with Children check.
• Police Check.

WHAT WE WILL OFFER YOU:

As an SCIA employee you will be entitled to a number of benefits including;

• A competitive salary package.
• PBI Fringe Benefits Salary Packaging.
• Access to our Health and Well Being package.
• On-going professional development and training opportunities.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• The opportunity to work in a supportive environment supporting people living with disability.

This role is to be worked in a hybrid mode; with the flexibility to work from SCIA'S sites in Randwick, St Leonards, from home and in the wider community as agreed with your manager.

The position is a fixed term contract role for the period of 12 months, working part-time 15 hrs p/w. Interviews will be conducted as applications are received.

Successful candidates are required to complete a pre-employment screening including a NDIS Worker Screening Check.

As part of our commitment to creating a flexible, diverse and inclusive workplace, this role is open to experienced candidates seeking workplace flexibility. We invite candidates of all ages, people with a disability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to apply.

You may contact Dan Holt at [email protected] using the subject line: Acute Family Peer Mentor enquiry via EthicalJobs for more information.