• Unique opportunity to commence your career in the rewarding mental health services industry
• Part-time (4 days per fortnight) role
• NFP values-based company + superannuation + attractive employee benefits

Are you looking to play an important role in ensuring that people receive valuable and supportive care? Do you have an interest in studying the Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work? If yes, please read on!

What is the Peer Cadet Program?

The Lived Experience Peer Cadet Program was created in response to the Royal Commission's recommendation to increase the number of entry points into the lived/living experience workforce (LLEW) and provide a supportive and structured environment for learning. The program offers an opportunity for people with lived/living experience to enter paid employment while undertaking Certificate IV Mental Health Peer Work within a participating community mental health organisation.

What does the Peer Cadet Program entail?

The Lived Experience Peer Cadet Program is an employment opportunity for people with lived experience undertaking the Cert IV in Mental Health Peer Work, to enter paid employment across participating Victorian non-government community mental health services.

The program offers a paid part-time cadetship over 12 months at Wellways.

Peer Cadets will develop knowledge, skills, and confidence in a structured and supported environment. Throughout their employment cadets will receive supervision, training, and reflective practice opportunities that are discipline specific.

Please visit the Wellways Careers site for a copy of the position description to see further details relating to this role.

What organisations are involved?

Ballarat Community Health, cohealth, each, Eating Disorders Victoria, ermha365, Mind Australia, Neami National, Uniting Victoria Tasmania, Wellways Australia

Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled to begin within the Cadetship Period or already undertaking the Cert IV in Mental Health Peer Work and meet the selection criteria defined by participating organisations. Other qualifications and/or recognised prior learning are not eligible for this program.

To be successful, you will need:

• National Police Check (completed within last 12 months)
• Current Working with Children Check-employment
• Evidence of right to work in Australia
• 100 points of identification
• NDIS Orientation module
• Evidence of Booster COVID vaccination or valid medical exemption

Wellways Australia is currently recruiting a Peer Cadet to join one of our Melbourne PARCs (Preventation and Recovery Care) which are step up, step down services for people in the community or after a hospital stay.

Successful Peer Cadets will benefit from the fantastic opportunity Wellways Australia has to offer which includes:

• Being a part of a 12-month program, whereby you will gain work experience in a Melbourne PARC
• Utilise your personal lived or living experience of mental distress and recovery
• Receive on-going mentoring from a peer worker
• Receive a comprehensive and engaging on-boarding experience
• Receive on-the-job training, feedback and on-going development
• Being a part of a purpose driven culture where people can thrive, everyone is respected, and differences are valued.

Wellways 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.

About Us

Wellways connects people, strengthens families, and transforms communities for individuals of all ages experiencing disabilities or challenges to their social and emotional wellbeing. A leading for-purpose mental health and disability support organisation operating nationally, our services span mental health, disability and community care and reach more than 7000 people each year!

Working with a diverse range of people, Wellways creates an inclusive community where everyone can imagine and achieve their hopes and potential.

What we offer

• A purpose driven culture where people can thrive, everyone is respected, and differences are valued
• An equitable, diverse, and socially inclusive work environment
• Salary packaging up to $15,899 enables you to spend a portion of your salary before it is taxed to pay for things like rent, mortgage repayments, car leasing
• Meal and Entertainment allowance via salary packaging up to $2,650 per annum
• Receive 17.5% leave loading every time you take annual leave
• Paid parental leave after 12 months of ongoing employment
• Access for you and your family to our Employee Assistance Program

For a confidential conversation about this exciting opportunity, please contact

Anita Conlon - Lived Experience Project Advisor on 0427 649 254.

Wellways is committed to the health and safety of its employees and participants and addressing risks of COVID-19 in the workplace. Wellways requires that all workers be fully vaccinated with an approved COVID-19 vaccination before commencing employment. Successful applicants will be required to provide evidence of COVID-19 vaccination or valid medical exemption.

Wellways is committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable people. Successful applicants must undergo a comprehensive screening process prior to their commencement.

If you'd like to know more about our reconciliation commitment, please visit our careers website.