• Part-time (0.4 FTE) fixed term position available until 30 June 2020

About us

Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health (Orygen) is the world’s leading research and knowledge translation organisation focusing on mental ill-health in young people.

headspace is a world-first youth mental health initiative that supports young people who are going through a tough time; whether it’s depression, anxiety, relationship break-ups or alcohol and other drug issues. The youth-friendly services at headspace are aimed at teenagers and young adults in recognition of the fact that 75 percent of mental disorders emerge before the age of 25 years.

Orygen, the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health has been funded by headspace: the National Youth Mental Health Foundation to establish and operate four headspace centres and associated services in the North West area of Melbourne. These headspace centres improve access to services and continuity of care for young people across four core streams of service including: mental health; alcohol and other drugs (AOD); general health; and social recovery/vocational services.

The Youth Peer Worker will work within the team at headspace Craigieburn. This position will be part of an initiative that recognises the importance of the youth voice within all aspects of service delivery at our headspace centres. The successful candidate will deliver headspace programs and initiatives aimed at educating young people in the community about core aspects of early intervention across the four domains of mental health, physical health, alcohol and other drugs, and work and study. 

Reporting to the Clinical Services Manager this role will include opportunities to work directly with young people in a non-clinical capacity, drawing on one’s own experiences to support them in various aspects of their journey with headspace.

The role

The Youth Peer Worker will: 

• Contribute to the review and further development of headspace programs and education packages as necessary.
• Coordinate and deliver headspace programs to students within schools, members of local community clubs and young people based within other services such as local councils or community groups.
• Support the Youth Advisory Group (YAG) including assisting with facilitation of meetings and activities.
• Assist with the identification and coordination of education and training sessions for the YAG to further strengthen their capacity to plan, deliver and evaluate mental health awareness/promotion activities in the community.
• Work with the Community Awareness Officer on projects and initiatives.  
• Participate in and develop community awareness activities, relationship building activities and attend appropriate community and agency meetings.
• Promote the headspace program, communicate regularly with, build and maintain collaborative working relationships with health and welfare agencies and the general community.
• Work with young people in a non-clinical way that values the shared experiences of a peer and supports the young person to appropriately engage with headspace.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate programs within the headspace Centre for young people.   

Selection Criteria

Essential

• Aged between 18 and 24 years.
• Personal experience of challenges with any of the following: mental health, physical health, alcohol and other drug and/or work and study. 
• Motivation of others in the community, requiring energy, passion and determination.
• Experience or knowledge of peer work/youth participation principles/frameworks.
• Capacity to problem solve effectively, engage and work creatively with young people. 
• Capacity and willingness to conduct presentations and programs to large groups of people, including young people and adults. 
• Ability to work effectively in a team.
• Excellent organisational, interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal) to communicate warmly and effectively with young people, liaise, build relationships and partnerships, consult and negotiate with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Commitment to supporting clinical research within the service.

Desirable

• Experience in the planning and provision of community engagement and capacity building activities.
• Experience with or knowledge of group leadership and/or facilitation.  
• Current enrolment in a relevant tertiary course. 
• Experience as a member of a Youth Advisory Group at a headspace Centre or in a similar role with another organisation.