Service Leader | Safe Haven

About us:

We’re 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 the next stage of our journey, join us to make a difference. We're here to Stride.

About the service:

As a genuine alternative to presenting to the emergency department, Safe Haven provides a warm, welcoming, non-clinical space for people in distress, or who may be at risk of suicide. People can freely go to Safe Haven if they are experiencing emotional distress, mental health concerns, isolation and loneliness and are seeking support. 

Open 3pm to 10pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, Safe Haven is a walk-in, after hours, free mental health service supporting Canberrans in crisis. 

Safe Haven offers another option for people in distress to complement what is currently available through hospital emergency departments and mental health crisis services in a supportive, safe, and comfortable environment. It allows a person to: 

• Receive immediate, person-centred and compassionate care.
• Access support from Suicide Prevention Peer Workers within their community, outside a clinical setting.

 On Offer:

• Based in Belconnen, ACT 
• Permanent, full-time opportunity available
• Excellent Base salary plus Super
• 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
• Purchase up to 5 additional leave days in a 12 month period (pro rata entitlement if part-time)
• Paid parental leave support
• Supportive team environment
• Excellent training and career development

Role Overview:

• Work in close partnership with the Regional Manager to provide leadership, practice development and mentoring sessions to a team of suicide prevention peer workers.
• Provide instructions, guidance support and actively work with the team to improve identified skill areas
• Execute administrative functions that support service delivery
• Monitor and review the systems and processes used in Client Services. The collected information is used to analyse service delivery outcomes and to enhance the effectiveness of support for persons experiencing distress and/or suicidal crisis.
• Work collaboratively with key stakeholders, including people with lived experience and Safe Haven guests to continuously improve this new and innovative service.
• Where required, provide direct support to people visiting Safe Haven (e.g. use personal lived experience of suicidal crisis recovery to connect with guests and provide support of evidence-based strategies underpinned by recovery orientated principles to provide assistance to individuals experiencing a suicidal crisis)

Requirements:

• Minimum of a Certificate IV in a Community/Human services related discipline (ideally a completed Diploma or Degree). Cert IV in Mental Health Peer Work (including elective CHCCCS003 Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide) highly desirable.
• Willingness to undertake other training (Intentional Peer Support (IPS) Core Training, Roses in the Ocean training programs, Safe Side training, etc)
• Ideally 1 years’ experience in leading and managing a team, or significant experience as a Senior Support Worker
• Personal lived experience of suicidality and recovery and proactivity in managing wellbeing
• Experience and skills in working with people experiencing immediate distress and/or suicide ideation.
• Ability to think and act calmly and deal sensitively with distressed people and remain compassionate and effective under pressure.  
• Demonstrate effective listening, communication skills, empathy; and the capacity to relate with others with dignity and respect
• Ability to help Safe Haven guests link in with other relevant community resources and to promote the rights, responsibilities and recovery of program participants
• Ability to implement and facilitate planned activities resulting in greater community access and support
• Proficiency in use of computer and Microsoft office
• Demonstrated ability to work with families, carers, government agencies and community services
• Current driver's licence
• Must be eligible to apply/currently hold a WWVP 
• Must hold/be willing to apply for NDIS worker screening clearance 

Highly Desirable:

• Experience working with individuals experiencing co-occurring mental health and AOD concerns 
• Experience working with people with co-occurring neurodivergence and mental illness  
• Detailed sector knowledge including awareness of: housing services, domestic violence services, disability support services, AOD services 
• Previous experience in peer-work 
• Experience managing peer workers 

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 role.

Applications will be viewed and actioned upon receipt, with a final closing date of 17 February 2026.

Any queries please email recruitment@stride.com.au