Support Worker

**Kickstart your career in Mental Health with hands-on experience and support to study**:
Flourish Australia has vacancies available for enthusiastic **Support Workers** to join our team

The positions available are:

- **Closed-term 12 month full-time **with a view to convert to a Level 3 role
- Based with our **Ulladulla **team
- Working **Monday to Friday**:

- Attractive hourly rates** **equivalent to SCHCADS Level 2 **$30.46 - $33.23/h + 10.5% Superannuation**

**Who Are We Looking For?**:
The Support Worker position with Flourish Australia is an entry-level role suitable for people who are new to the sector and looking for an opportunity to be mentored by our experienced teams.

The role would suit you if:

- You are undertaking a relevant Qualification (Certificate, Diploma or Bachelor) and are looking for practical experience working in the community with people with a lived experience of a mental health issue; or
- You have a personal lived experience of a mental health issue and are interested in Peer Work, but haven't undertaken formal study and would like to be supported to gain a Certificate IV in Peer Work or Certificate IV in Mental Health Work.

**What Will You Be Doing?**:
Support Workers work in the community and support people with lived experience of mental health issues achieve their hopes and dreams. You will play an important part in assisting people to maintain wellness and realise their goals.

This may involve:

- Assisting people to prepare and cook meals.
- Accompanying people on agreed routine outings such as socialisation or recreational activities.
- Supporting people to live independently in their homes.
- Supporting people in a group home

On a day to day basis, you will be required to:

- Listen to and partake in activities that meet the interests and goals of people.
- Encourage shared learning experiences and support skill development at every opportunity through self-directed learning, information and education.
- Ensure all aspects of service delivery are provided in consultation with the key worker, are strengths based and person-led wherever possible.
- Have excellent interpersonal skills, be non-judgmental, be fair, patient, have the willingness to listen, and display empathy.
- Self-reflect and constantly review work practices.

For more information on the Support Worker role, please read the Position Description.

**How Will We Support You?**:
Flourish Australia is committed to your career development. We demonstrate this through:

- Developing a Peer Worker or Mental Health Worker career pathway by supporting you to complete the relevant Certificate IV (Peer Work or Non-Clinical Mental Health Work) OR supporting you to gain experience if you are already studying/completed a relevant course.
- Flexible working conditions based around your study needs
- Supportive teams committed to helping you learn
- Access to a range of training opportunities (e.g. Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Trauma Informed Care, LGBTQ Awareness)

**Who we are**:
Our name reflects our fundamental and enduring commitment to people’s mental health and wellbeing, supporting them to thrive and live a contributing life. People are at the centre of everything we do at Flourish Australia - they’re our heart and soul. We reflect this through the language we use, our pride and belief in our team and our respect and understanding of those with a lived experience of a mental health issue.

Everyone who works at Flourish Australia is dedicated to providing people experiencing mental health issues with the day-to-day support and encouragement they need to create a rewarding life for themselves in their community.

Our Support Worker positions are open to anyone with a genuine interest in working in community mental health and share the organisation's values. Bringing your own personal lived experience of a mental health issue will be highly regarded. Over 55% of the Flourish Australia team have a personal lived experience of a mental health issue.

**Selection Criteria**:
Essential:

- Demonstrated interest in supporting people with a lived experience of a mental health issue in the community.
- A strong commitment to, and emerging knowledge of, recovery-based practice in the workplace.
- Willingness to complete a relevant qualification.
- Demonstrated knowledge and alignment with Flourish Australia's values.
- Basic computer literacy and knowledge of data information management systems.
- Maintaining a current Australian Driver’s Licence (depending on program requirements)

**Please note: A personal lived experience of a mental health is essential if you elect to develop your career as a Peer Worker.**

**The Benefits**:
Flourish Australia recognises and values its people as demonstrated by:

- **Level 2 (SCHCADS)** on the Flourish Australia Enterprise Agreement 2018
- **Extra tax savings** with **Salary Packaging available up to $15,900**:

- Exclusive **fleet pricing disc