Parkville Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service (PYMHWS) is a new, dedicated public youth mental health service and is the first of its kind in Australia. We are looking for a passionate and dedicated individual to join our team.

PEER WORKER – Custodial Forensic Youth Mental Health Service

Parkville Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service (PYMHWS)

2 YEAR FIXED TERM | FULL TIME |  Parkville and Cherry Creek

• Full time, 2 year fixed term opportunity | Salary Packaging | Monthly ADO
• Based in Parkville with some travel to Cherry Creek Youth Justice Custodial Precinct
• Intentional Peer Work training provided | EAP and wellbeing programs

About Us:

Parkville Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service (PYMHWS) is Victoria’s newest public mental health service dedicated to the care of young people aged 12 to 25 experiencing complex mental health challenges. 

PYMHWS is leading a bold and values-driven transformation in youth mental health care across Melbourne’s north and west. We exist to walk alongside young people, their families, carers, supporters and kin delivering care that is accessible, inclusive, developmentally appropriate, evidence-informed, and grounded in lived experience. Our service model is shaped by the voices of young people and their communities, and underpinned by a commitment to safety, equity, and continuous learning.

At PYMHWS, we are working with our community and partners to build in a future where all young people can access world-class mental health support, close to home. As we grow, we are looking for passionate, skilled, and visionary professionals to join us in shaping a new era of youth mental health in Victoria.  

 The Opportunity:

Custodial FYMHS are excited to welcome an enthusiastic and passionate Peer Worker to our diverse team. This role requires lived experience as a consumer of youth mental health services. 

Why Join PYMHWS?

• Be part of building a legacy for youth mental health in Victoria
• Work alongside passionate, visionary leaders in a values-led organisation
• Salary packaging options, up to $11,600 tax free earnings
• 5 weeks annual leave plus monthly ADO for full time employees
• Flexible working arrangements including remote work options where possible
• Employee wellbeing focused, access to EAP
• Flexible, inclusive, and supportive workplace culture
• Opportunities for professional growth and development

About the Role:

The Peer Worker will inspire empowerment and self-determination through sharing their own lived experience to young people who are currently on remand or sentenced in Youth Justice custody. Work with clinicians and the wider team to deliver culturally sensitive care and support.

Peer work aims to support the recovery of a person’s whole life and provides a mutual opportunity for learning and growth. Through using their shared experiences, the Peer Worker and Young Person can come up with new strategies for future growth

What You'll Do:

• Provide key peer-to-peer based supports including direct work with young people, advocacy, connecting young people to resources and the community, relationship building, navigating services, as well as provide a lived experience perspective within the multidisciplinary team.
• Collaborate with young people to identify requirements to support their wellbeing.
• Share lived experiences and knowledge to inspire hope and empower young people to move toward desired outcomes for their future.
• Establish and build good relationships with people inside and outside the organisation, especially in the area of youth mental health including Youth Justice and Primary Health Providers.

The position will work at Parkville & Cherry Creek Youth Justice Custodial Precincts. When travelling to other site locations, a company car will be provided, and travel is included in work hours.

About You:

The successful applicant will have personal lived experience of mental health challenges and/or mental health service use as a young person.

• No formal qualifications are required for this role.
• Previous experience in a consumer peer support role
• Understand or be willing to learn about the consumer perspective, values and practices of lived experience work and willingness to undertake Intentional Peer Support Training (provided by PYMHWS)
• Ability to work with diverse young people in a compassionate manner and demonstrate sensitivity to diversity (CALD, gender, age, sexuality, disability, etc.) 

 Ready to Make a Difference?
If you're looking to be part of something truly meaningful—we’d love to hear from you.

For a confidential discussion, contact Elle Crisp – 0407 311 076

To view the full Position Description, please click HERE

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Criminal History Record Check and a Working with Children Check. Successful applicants will be required to provide evidence of an immunisation assessment prior to commencement.

PYMHWS stands in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in work and care. We are proud to be a workplace that champions diversity, inclusion and equality for our staff and our community.  Our goal is for our people to feel safe, included and supported so that they can be at their best every single day. We encourage talented people from all backgrounds, abilities, and identities to apply to our vacancies, and will consider adjustments to support such applications.