• New initiative making a difference to people’s lives
• Varied shift work including day, evening till 10pm night and weekend shifts
• Located in Woolloomooloo NSW, with possible working from home arrangements for some shifts

About the program

BEING is excited to introduce a new stream of Senior Peer Support Specialists to their organisation to offer supportive, reassuring, non-crisis assistance over the phone and via online platforms.

The aim of the program is to support the empowerment of people living with mental health issues in taking charge of their own lives while promoting independence and self-care strategies, particularly during the CO VID-19 period.

The program will initially be established in a phased approach to commence in mid-June through telephone support services culminating in fully operational services in mid-July to include an online platform, however staff training will commence on 1st June 2020 and continue through to 12th June 2020.

About our organisation

BEING is the independent, NSW peak organisation for people with lived/living experience of mental health issues and emotional distress. Our primary focus is to ensure the voices of people with mental health issues are heard by decision makers, service providers, and the community.

With a long-standing history of operation, BEING is in a unique position to influence NSW policy, legislation, and service delivery, to improve the outcomes for the communities we serve by providing advice to the mental health sector on people’s views and experiences of the way mental health services are delivered. We support people to advocate and provide input into decision making at all levels through a co-design process and consumer–led activities.

About the Role

The Senior Peer Support Specialist will draw upon their own personal experiences of living with mental health issues and emotional distress to establish positive rapport and trust with clients and co-workers, in a way which reinforces hope and empowerment.

Critical to the role is the provision of peer supervision, mentoring and guidance to Peer Support Specialists using individual and group activities. This includes ensuring that rostered staff are well supported, complete documentations and program expectations.

Duties and Responsibilities are outlined in the attached position description.

Essential Criteria:

1. Personal experience of mental health issues and the ability to draw upon own personal recovery journey to inform your work.
2. Previous experience of working as a Peer Support Worker (paid work) in a senior role with an ability to provide direct individual and group peer supervision.
3. Demonstrate high ethical values and boundaries with staff and clients.
4. Certificate IV Mental Health Peer Work or more than 5 years’ experience in a paid peer work position.
5. Previous experience working with people in crisis situations and understanding of own abilities and boundaries of peer work, including providing information and referral linkages where required.
6. Proven understanding of recovery-oriented, trauma-informed principles and strengths-based approaches in mental health.
7. Superior organisational, time management, interpersonal and written skills, including development of client files and reporting mechanisms.
8. Ability to work both autonomously and in a team environment.
9. Confidence to work in a diversity of ways including over the phone and via internet platforms.
10. Demonstrated Computer literacy including Office 365 and cloud-based software.

Desirable Criteria

1. Previous experience working with on phone lines and digital platforms.
2. Understanding and/or experience with state or national level Peer Workforce initiatives.