Senior Peer Worker, Mental Health Therapy Services
Employment Type - Temporary Part Time
Hours per fortnight - 56
Job Category - Other Professionals - Lived Experience
Req Id - 9388
- Lived experience of mental health or AOD services, used purposefully to support others
- Peer work experience, including group facilitation and Intentional Peer Support
- Temporary part time – Parental relief opportunity
About the role
We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Peer Worker to join the Mental Health Therapy Team at Barwon Health. The team is part of Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol Services (MHDAS). It provides therapeutic support to consumers through individual and group-based programs, delivered by a multidisciplinary team that includes lived experience staff.
In this role you will draw on your own lived experience of using mental health or alcohol and other drug services to walk alongside consumers in their recovery. You will offer individual peer support and facilitate peer and therapeutic groups grounded in hope, choice, self-determination and connectedness. Working independently and alongside the team, you will bring a lived experience perspective to how the team’s programs are developed and delivered. You will also guide and mentor Peer Workers, and help build a greater understanding of the value of peer work across MHDAS.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide individual peer support in line with Intentional Peer Support principles and the MHDAS Peer Work Scope of Practice, and facilitate or co-facilitate peer and therapeutic groups
- Guide, orientate and mentor Peer Workers, and take an active part in the Lived Experience Team, including reflective practice and supervision
- Use your lived experience expertise to shape MHTS programs, policy and service development, and educate MHDAS staff about the role of peer work
What We Are Looking For
You will have personal lived experience as a recipient of tertiary mental health or drug and alcohol services. You will also be confident using that experience purposefully to support others. You’ll be someone who builds trusting relationships easily, works well on your own and as part of a team, and is passionate about recovery-oriented practice.
- Demonstrated experience in peer work, ideally including group facilitation and an understanding of Intentional Peer Support
- Strong communication skills and a commitment to mentoring others and improving services
Please note Barwon Health will only contact you via our official email and never use unconventional means, such as text messaging or other services.
- Excellent working conditions and a strong sense of job satisfaction
- A vibrant staff wellbeing program and access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Program
- Extensive professional development opportunities
- Attractive salary packaging benefits
- Living expenses capped at $9,010
- Meals and entertainment capped at $2,650
For more information about working at Barwon Health, please click Here
Barwon Health is an inclusive and welcoming employer, committed to reflecting the diverse communities we serve. We value and celebrate people of all genders, sexual orientations, cultural backgrounds, faiths, abilities, family structures, and identities, and encourage applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and members of the LGBTIQA+ community.
Child Safety
We are strongly committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. Click here for further information on the Victorian Government’s Child Safe Standards: About Child Safe Standards | Victorian Government (www.vic.gov.au)
Additional information
If you need adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please contact us at peopleassist@barwonhealth.org.au
All appointments are subject to:
- Satisfactory Police Record Check
- Immunisation Status Clearance
- Working with Children Check (if applicable)
To apply, you will need a resume and a tailored cover letter outlining your skills, experience, and suitability for the position in line with the requirements of the position description. Please note: We do not accept resumes via email.
Barwon Health does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies. Candidates must apply directly through the official recruitment portal.
Contact person: Amy Langbein, Manager, Mental Health Therapy Services
Email: amy.langbein@barwonhealth.org.au
Phone: (03) 4215 8505
Application closing date: Monday 16, November 2026
Internal applicants:
If you are currently employed at Barwon Health, please ensure you sign in via the Employee Login on the external Careers Page or access the Careers Page through the intranet before applying.
Shortlisting may commence prior to the closing date - early applications are encouraged.