• StandBy Program
• Wagga Wagga, NSW

We are a values-based organisation. We stand for Honesty, Acceptance, Fairness, Commitment and Participation.

The After Suicide Support Lived Experienced Worker will proactively work with StandBy Regional Coordinators to provide lived experience expertise input and peer-to-peer support in delivering services, training, and resource development. Service areas will be focused on the Murrumbidgee/Murray and ACT areas, with preference to align with the Lived Experience Worker's local community. There may also be instances where the worker is required to contribute to activities at a state or national level or support service delivery remotely in other parts of NSW.

Wellways Australia is a leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to ensuring all Australians lead active and fulfilling lives in their community. We work with individuals, families and the community to help them imagine and achieve better lives. We advocate for change to ensure people have access to the best possible care and information when they need it. We provide a wide range of services and assistance for people with mental health issues, disabilities, youth and older Australians and those requiring community care.

About the program

StandBy operates nationally by partnering with local organisations, engaging their expertise within the community to deliver the most effective and culturally suitable support following a suicide, for each individual circumstance. Locally tailored community workshops and education programs are provided to increase awareness of suicide and suicide bereavement to help enable communities to support one another.

About the role

The After Suicide Support Lived Experience Worker is an important member of the StandBy Support After Suicide team. The Lived Experience worker provides practical peer support, works with Regional Coordinators to provide lived experience input throughout the StandBy service, and supports the delivery of training, resource development and awareness campaigns.

The Lived Experience Worker will service the Murrumbidgee/Murray and ACT areas. Regular travel throughout the region is anticipated. There may be instances where the Lived Experience Worker is required to contribute to activities at a state or national level or support service delivery in other parts of NSW.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

The responsibilities below are examples of possible activities and initiatives and actual activities and initiatives are dependent on the specific needs of each region:

• Provide peer companion support (one-on-one, face-to-face, via telephone and online) to people bereaved by suicide so they feel safe, supported and genuinely understood to best promote recovery
• Assist with the establishment and facilitation of bereavement support groups and networks in areas where there are no existing groups
• Engage and co-design with existing networks to develop and support a lived experience peer workforce
• Provide lived experienced expertise input to service delivery, training delivery and resource development
• Provide input into social media and population awareness campaigns

Skills & Experience

Below are the essential (unless otherwise indicated) qualifications and experience a person should hold to successfully fulfil the responsibilities of this position. An applicant must provide specific information and/or examples of how you can meet each of these criteria in your application to be considered for this position.

• Lived experience of suicide bereavement or had a close connection to someone who has died by suicide
• An understanding of the impact suicide has on families, workplaces, friends, and communities
• Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with key people and organisations
• Knowledge of social media
• Highly developed verbal and written skills, including the ability to write case notes.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills and comfortable as a public speaker at events
• Priorities processes, tasks & resources required to achieve goals and then implement them to achieve the required outcomes.
• Understanding and adherence to professional ethics and boundaries.
• Strong knowledge of the full Microsoft Office suite, particularly Word and Excel, and able to navigate SharePoint
• Growth mindset and willingness to contribute to continuous improvement

Pre-employment compliance requirements

• Evidence of working rights within Australia
• Satisfactory National Police Records Check
• Working with Children Check
• NDIS Workers Screening Check
• NDIS Worker Orientation Module Certificate: https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/workers/support-for-workers/training-course

The health and safety of Wellways participants and employees is our highest priority and a significant number of roles within Wellways are covered by government Health Orders or Directives that require mandatory COVID vaccinations. Where a government Order or Directive applies, successful applicants will be required to provide evidence of COVID-19 vaccination or approved exemption prior to commencement.

We warmly encourage people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people with a lived experience of mental health and disability to apply.

Wellways Australia Limited is committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable people. All applicants applying for roles within Wellways must undergo a screening process prior to their successful appointment.