Role Title: Mental Health Advocate

About us: 

Our client, Multicultural Futures, believes in a connected multicultural community where people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds have opportunities to create healthy, empowered and meaningful lives in Australia. Founded in 1981, their Mission is to provide culturally diverse people and communities with skills and support, to achieve their aspirations in an inclusive Australian society.

They deliver a range of services including housing support, employability skills, community capacity building, and mental health and wellbeing. Their dedicated team holds our values of Integrity, Respect, Collaboration, Inclusion and Excellence front of mind, and are proud of the quality work they deliver to their clients and communities every day.

About the roles: 

Multicultural Futures are currently seeking 2 x experienced Mental Health Advocates to support individuals, carers, families, and communities impacted by mental health issues (specifically those from a refugee or migrant background) access services and support with confidence for recovery. 

The roles available are: 

• 1 x full-time (1 FTE) Mental Health Advocate to work from their Mirrabooka outreach office
• 1 x part-time (0.4 FTE) Mental Health Advocate to work from their Fremantle outreach office 

Reporting to the Mental Health & Wellbeing Program Manager, the roles will hold the following key focus areas: 

Client services 

• Initial assessment of clients’ needs.
• Action planning for recovery, including supported referral.
• Individualised and flexible support for individuals, carers and families as they navigate the health care system
• Advocating for clients rights to access timely culturally responsive services and community resources.
• Provide one-to-one support sessions at the office or through outreach, as appropriate.
• Promote early intervention and prevention in the community
• Provide group information sessions.
• Involve family members, carers, and other relevant stakeholders in recovery planning.
• Provide support, guidance, and training to other providers to strengthen cultural responsiveness.
• Establish and strengthen referral pathways and partnerships with agencies and support networks.
• Collect data for reporting requirements

Leadership and Management

• Maintain positive working relationships with other staff members, programs and external service providers.

Administration

• Provide regular performance reports against agreed targets.
• Complete staff timesheets, order forms, expenditure requests, and petty cash forms as appropriate. 
• Collect statistics and prepare internal reports as required.

Compliance  

• Comply with and effectively operate within all internal policies & procedures.
• Comply with and effectively operate in accordance with funding body policies, procedures, guidelines and contractual obligations.

Marketing

• Actively promote the service and other services provided by the organisation.
• Develop and maintain close and collaborative links with local service providers, government services, and other non-government agencies.

What you will need:

• Tertiary qualification in social work, psychology, alcohol and other drug counselling or equivalent
• Eligible for registration and membership of relevant professional association, e.g. Australian Psychological Association
• 2 years’ experience working in a similar role
• Demonstrated experience working with people from a refugee or migrant background who have mental health and/or alcohol and other drug issues
• Understanding of how to navigate mental health service systems
• Evidence of well-developed communication skills –  both verbal and written
• Strong time management skills
• Satisfactory Police Clearance (less than 6 months old)
• Current Working With Children Check 

Benefits and perks 

• Passionate, experienced team
• Supportive team members and Board of Management
• Rewarding work that truly makes a difference to the lives of others. 

To apply please click the ‘Apply Now’ button. For a copy of the job description please contact [email protected] 

Applications close: Friday 22 September 2023

For more information on Multicultural Futures, please visit multiculturalfutures.org.au