Youth Peer Worker (Level 2 or 3) - Headspace Early Psychosis

Bayside Health

Bayside Health is a public health service delivering high-quality care across every stage of life for close to 1.2 million people living in metropolitan Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula, Koo Wee Rup, Bass Coast and Southern Gippsland. We have more than 15 main sites, including hospitals, centres and clinics that provide comprehensive care from welcoming newborns to supporting older people and a full range of services in between. More than 22,000 dedicated staff are focused on providing exceptional, equitable, and locally connected care through shared expertise, compassion, and a commitment to continuous growth. Education and training are central to staff development as we encourage all employees to strive and thrive. Bayside Health was formed following the merger of Alfred Health, Bass Coast Health, Gippsland Southern Health Service, Kooweerup Regional Health Service and Peninsula Health on 1 January 2026.

Are you a young person with a lived/living experience of mental health challenges? Be involved in an innovative youth mental health program that is making a real difference in the community and join the Youth Program team at headspace Early Psychosis and make an impact supporting young people.

• Permanent, Part-time (45.6 hrs/fn)
• Lived Experience Worker Level 2 or 3 depending on experience
• Based in Bentleigh with some travel required between locations
• A lived experience of psychosis or other complex mental health challenges as a young person

What's in it for you

• Great team culture and a supportive multi-disciplinary team environment
• Regular supervision and frequent opportunities for professional development
• An opportunity to be involved in changing perceptions and reducing stigma surrounding mental health issues

ABOUT US

The Youth Program at headspace Early Psychosis provides a range of services to young people (12-25yrs), families, and professionals. Services are strengths-based and value-driven so that they support young people to achieve personally meaningful recovery goals and enable cultural change within the organisation.

The recovery program includes some components whereby those with expertise by experience of mental illness/distress will work alongside those with expertise by profession to devise and deliver the programs.

ABOUT THE ROLE

"Peer work is the use of someone’s personal lived experience of ‘mental illness’, recovery, and/or use of mental health services to support other consumers."  (Department of Health and Human Services 2018)

Using your lived experience of mental distress and recovery, you will provide peer support and practical assistance to young people, to support them to lead their own unique recovery process. IN this role, you will act as a recovery champion within the team and be involved in the ongoing development of volunteer peer support roles in the hEP program, including peer support training and evaluation. You will also be supported with line management and peer supervision in this role.

ABOUT YOU

You will draw from your own lived experience of having a significant mental health challenge and the ability to use your experience to inspire hope and belief in recovery.

Essential

• Identified lived/living experience of psychosis or other complex mental health challenges as a young person
• Demonstrated understanding of consumer peer work and recovery-oriented practice.
• Australian working rights and current influenza vaccination
• Current Victorian driver licence is essential for the role
• Current Working with Children Check or willing to obtain one and be willing to undergo a Background Check

For Grade 3 appointment:

• Demonstrated experience working in a peer work role (typically 12 months or more).
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously within peer scope of practice.

Desirable

• Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work.
• Intentional Peer Support Training

WHAT YOU’LL GET

• Relevant training (Peer Support, group facilitation, Open Dialogue)
• Regular line management supervision
• Support from the Youth Peer team dedicated to promoting the voice of lived experience within the headspace Early Psychosis program

OTHER BENEFITS

• Portable long service leave from other public health services
• Salary packaging & novated leasing through Maxxia
• Onsite car (subject to availability) and bike parking opportunities
• Fitness Passport (Subscription membership across numerous gyms)
• Opportunities to participate in the Discovery College
• Located close to public transport and cafes

If this opportunity sounds like it is for you, click the APPLY button, including your cover letter responding to the Key Selection Criteria, and your resume. Please ensure your cover letter is separately attached.

For more information regarding the positions please contact Jessica Anson (Youth Program Manager) on ph: 0437 863 358 / J.Anson@alfred.org.au

NOTE: Applications without both cover letter and resume will not be accepted, nor will late applications.

Applications Close: 11pm AEST, Thursday 9th July 2026.

We embrace diversity and strive to have a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, and people of all genders, sexualities, and cultural backgrounds.

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application materials, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.

In accordance with the Health Services Amendment (Mandatory Vaccination of Healthcare Workers) Act 2020, health care workers in Category A or B roles (as determined by the department’s risk ratings) are required to be vaccinated against influenza or hold an acceptable medical exemption.