Almost half of Australian adults will experience a mental health illness at some point in their life. You can make a meaningful difference to the Australian community by joining the Life Without Barriers team. Our mental health teams provide client-led, recovery-orientated mental health support, creating positive change in such a vital industry.

Life Without Barriers is a leading social purpose organisation of 8,000 employees working in more than 500 communities across Australia. We support children, young people and families, people with disability, older people, and people with mental illness. We work with people who are homeless and refugees and asylum seekers. Join a community of people dedicated to breaking down barriers.  

We want to employ people who reflect the diversity of our clients to ensure we can support each client’s individual needs and wants. We encourage people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background and people with disability to apply.

About the Role 
We have an opportunity for a Peer Support Worker (PSW) to join our HASP psychosocial support program (full time, maximum term to June 2024.  

The successful candidate will be providing psychosocial support to clients who live with severe mental distress and who are ineligible to receive services under the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The start date will be September 2023 or when relevant probity screenings have been met.

The person will work throughout the Northern and Central Adelaide metro regions. The role provides human rights based, recovery‐oriented trauma informed mental health support to people at a time of great need.

The successful candidate will deliver flexible psychosocial recovery support to adults which enhance both life skills and citizenship. Support services include home based outreach and connection of clients with their local community. 

Key Responsibilities

• Support consumers to develop their own support plans in partnership with Life Without Barriers, Community Mental Health services and carers.
• Liaise and collaborate with consumers, their community and community support agencies such as mental health, housing and other services to ensure an integrated and timely service
• Monitor and review consumers’ progress through the service and against the case plan and provide up to date progress reports to the partner organisations
• Seek to understand consumer’s expectations
• Sensitively ascertain information about the consumer’s health, family and cultural background to inform a holistic approach
• Coordinate the delivery of services to consumers and work with the client to utilise other referral agencies and services.
• Work effectively with consumers to help identify and structure problems and implement effective solutions
• Provide the following individualised support by helping consumers in:
• Establishing routines and structures.
• Assisting in establishing and maintaining stable and appropriate   accommodation where this does not exist.
• Coaching and guiding consumers in day-to-day life skills such as cleaning, cooking, shopping, managing finances etc.
• Promoting, encouraging and ensuring positive relationships with parents, family members, and other persons significant to the client.
• Participating in culturally appropriate support services.
• Actively participating in a range of recreational and educational support programs.
• Attending appointments and community activities where relevant.
• Identifying programs, encouraging and advocating consumers involvement in educational, vocational and recreational programs that support practical living skills and community reintegration.

Skills & Experience

• Minimum Cert IV in Mental Health/Peer Work
• Well-developed verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work with people from Diverse Cultural Backgrounds with specific reference to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Demonstrated ability to positively engage, interact and work with people who have complex needs including psychosocial disability
• Have a comprehensive knowledge of the issues faced by people with mental health issues
• Have a comprehensive understanding of the Recovery Framework and the underlying principles
• Current Drivers Licence, reliable vehicle and the willingness to use own vehicle in the transport of clients as required.

To be considered for and appointed to a position at Life Without Barriers, you must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with a minimum of two (2) doses or hold a valid medical exemption certificate, in accordance with Life Without Barriers Employee COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. You will be required to provide evidence of your vaccination status during the recruitment process.

Benefits

• Truly inclusive and values based organisation.
• Be supported by a well established and highly regarded Mental Health team.
• Access to tax benefits through salary packaging.

How to Apply

Include your resume and covering letter in one document, click ‘Apply’ and follow the prompts. For any enquiries including persons with disability that require adjustments, contact [email protected]

Applications close midnight Wednesday 13th September 2023

We are dedicated to playing our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and bring continuity of care and support to our clients. With this in mind, if you are successful, we will discuss with you an alternative to a face to face interview.  
 
Life Without Barriers supports the Royal Commission into violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability. We believe people with disability need to be heard and for these experiences to influence how support services like ours are delivered. View our statement here https://bit.ly/2GzZGWA