Peer Worker | headspace

About us:

We are leaders in mental health service delivery, specialising in working with adults and young people, and in early childhood intervention.

Stride is a name that expresses our ambition – it’s a name that’s purposeful and shows awareness of the important role we play in the recovery journey.

As we embark on our next stage, join us to make a difference. We're here to Stride. 

About the service:

headspace Centres act as a one-stop-shop for young people who need help with mental health, physical health, alcohol and other drugs and/or work and study support.

The key principle within headspace is a commitment to providing age appropriate, youth friendly services which are engaging and acceptable to young people and that are congruent with the stage of development of the individual. 

On Offer:

• Based in Hurstville, NSW
• Full-time, fixed-term contract until 30/06/2027
• Salary Packaging options (up to $15,899 tax free!)
• Meals and entertainment allowance of up to $2,650!
• Leave loading at 17.5%
• Stride Rewards – access to discounts from 100s of retailers (fashion, food and fitness)
• One paid wellbeing leave day per year (only for 6 month+ contracts)
• Purchase up to 5 additional leave days in a 12 month period (pro rata entitlement if part-time) (only for contracts 12 months+)
• Paid parental leave support
• Supportive team environment
• Excellent training and career development

Role overview:

• Provide direct and personalised assistance to clients, provide referrals, link with appropriate services, and monitor and report on progress.
• Sit with clients in distress and discomfort, taking a collaborative approach to supporting people to identify and connect with support they need and want.
• Use your peer-support skills, including purposeful storytelling to connect with clients and promote hope, and recovery.
• Conduct brief interventions including psychosocial support, safety planning, recovery/wellness planning, sensory modulation techniques, advocacy, and mandatory reporting as required.
• Consult, liaise, and connect with internal and external service systems to provide a full range of tailored interventions.
• Use personal lived experience of mental health recovery to connect with clients and provide support of evidence-based strategies underpinned by recovery-orientated principles to help people experiencing psychological distress or suicidal crisis.
• Serve as a positive role model to the client’s support network (family members and friends), staff, and community.
• Build independence in developing and engaging in skills to build distress tolerance and support capacity to alleviate and manage future psychosocial distress and suicidal crisis, with a focus on sharing lived experience of recovery (whilst maintaining professional boundaries).
• Perform Outcome Measures and facilitate other reporting, feedback, and research activities as required.
• Use client management system including self-management of rosters, record time, and sign-off of client activity, input journal entries and case notes.
• Attendance and participation in operational supervision, reflective-practice supervision, professional development opportunities and Critical incident management activities.

Requirements:

• Minimum of a Certificate IV in a Community Services related discipline (ideally Mental Health Peer Worker)
• Hold, or be willing to work towards, a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Worker and complete Safe Story Telling training
• Personal lived experience of mental health recovery and proactivity in managing your own and others’ wellbeing
• Experience supporting people with their mental health challenges
• Ability to think and act calmly and deal sensitively with distressed people
• Effective listening, communication, and empathy skills
• Demonstrated problem solving and organisational skills
• Ability to work autonomously, but also as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Understanding of the principles of duty of care, rights to privacy, and confidentiality
• Commitment to professional development and willingness to participate in training
• Computer skills, including software proficiency and data entry
• Skills in record keeping and writing case notes
• Must be eligible to apply/currently hold a WWCC
• Must hold/be willing to apply for NDIS worker screening clearance 
• Current Driver's license

Stride is committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable people. All applicants applying for roles within Stride must undergo required screening processes prior to their successful appointment.

Stride is an inclusive workplace and we encourage applications from diverse backgrounds in order to enhance the depth of cultural diversity and insight within our workforce.

This includes but is not limited to people with a lived-experience of mental health recovery, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities.

Apply now!

To apply complete the online application form, attach a copy of your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the available role.

Applications will be viewed and actioned upon receipt, with a final closing date for applications of 16 March 2026.

For queries email recruitment@stride.com.au.