Lived Experience Worker

Lived Experience Worker (Youth Mental Health)
Make a difference in young people’s lives through lived experience, peer support, and advocacy.
About the Role
Join our dynamic Youth Enhanced Support Service (YESS) team at Uniting, providing early intervention and wrap-around mental health services for young people experiencing severe or complex mental health challenges.
This role is specifically for someone with a lived experience of mental health challenges as a young person and, ideally, experience accessing (or attempting to access) mental health services. Your insight in a non-clinical capacity will be vital in peer support, advocacy, and systemic change, ensuring young people’s voices are heard and valued.
**Position Details**:

- Part-time | Monday - Friday (3 days per week, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, with flexible start/finish times)
- Location: Chatswood Office (fully community-based role)
- Salary: HPA (Support Services) + Salary Packaging Benefits

**Responsibilities**:

- Develop and maintain peer support relationships by appropriately sharing lived experience and fostering mutual connection.
- Support young people in identifying and working towards self-directed recovery goals, using a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach.
- Provide one-on-one peer support sessions and facilitate peer support groups that encourage self-determination and resilience.
- Advocate for systemic improvements in youth mental health services, ensuring a rights-based approach that challenges stigma and promotes inclusivity.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams while ensuring the distinct principles of lived experience work are upheld.
- Offer psychoeducation and self-advocacy coaching to young people, helping them navigate mental health systems and access appropriate supports.
- Assist in the development and delivery of community events, workshops, and resources that promote mental health awareness and lived experience perspectives.
- Actively participate in reflective practice, supervision, and professional development to enhance skills in peer work.
- Support co-design initiatives, working alongside young people to shape service delivery in a way that aligns with their needs and aspirations.
- Contribute to team meetings and service development by providing insights from a lived experience perspective.
- Attend relevant youth interagency meetings.

Essential Criteria
- Personal lived experience of mental health challenges as a young person and experience accessing or attempting to access youth mental health services.
- Eligibility is limited to individuals aged 18 to 30 years.
- Must have Certificate IV in Peer Work.
- Demonstrated understanding of recovery-oriented, rights-based approaches in mental health.
- Ability to appropriately share lived experience to support others in their journey.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to engage with diverse young people.
- Ability to work collaboratively and independently.
- Current NSW Driver’s License.

Desirable Criteria
- Intentional Peer Support (IPS) training or willingness to complete.
- Experience in youth advocacy, peer support, or mental health services.

What We Offer
- Salary packaging entitlements to increase your take-home pay.
- Access to Fitness Passport, U Rewards, and other employee benefits.
- Professional development and training opportunities in peer work, including IPS and trauma-informed care.
- A supportive and inclusive work environment with lived experience supervision.
- The opportunity to make a real impact in the lives of young people.

How to Apply
If you are passionate about youth mental health and peer work, we would love to hear from you
**About Uniting**: When you’re part of Uniting NSW.ACT, you’re part of a diverse, purpose-led team of people who are really making a difference to the world around them. We contribute to the work and mission of the Uniting Church in NSW and the ACT through social justice advocacy, community services and spiritual care. We provide care and support for people through all ages and stages of life, with a focus on people experiencing disadvantage and vulnerability. Our purpose is to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice.
Uniting leaders and employees work together to create a culture that is safe, inclusive and person-centred. We bring this to life every day through our values: compassionate, respectful, imaginative and bold.
Uniting acknowledges the continuing sovereignty and rich cultural diversity of Australia’s First Peoples. We pay our respects to all Elders - past, present, and emerging - and to all First Peoples on whose lands we live and work. Uniting is a Child Safe Organisation committed to promoting the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of children and young people.