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.

FAMILY CARER PEER WORKER

Parkville Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service (PYMHWS)

Permanent Part-Time role | 0.4 to 0.8 EFT position | Sunshine

Draw on your own lived experience to provide empathic peer connection and care, advocacy, support and engagement for family, carers, supporters and kin accessing the service.

• Join Victoria’s newest Public Mental Health Service dedicated to youth
• Part-Time, Permanent Ongoing role | 0.4-0.8 EFT | Sunshine based
• Salary Packaging | 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:

The Family Carer Peer Worker will work closely with medical, clinical and lived experience staff, to provide peer-to-peer supports for families who support young people; advocacy; referral and linkages. The role is integrated into clinical teams and is supported by the Senior Family Carer Consultant and a small team of Family Carer Peer Workers.  

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
• 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 Family Carer Peer Worker will offer support to families of young people accessing care within the Parkville Youth Mental Health & Wellbeing Service.

Drawing on lived experience of supporting their own family member or significant other, the role involves offering empathetic listening, providing peer support and information. This may be face-to-face, by telephone or using video conferencing platforms. The Family Carer Peer Worker will be required to be self-motivated and directed and will demonstrate a sound ability to engage with a range of people.

What You'll Do:                                                

• Engage and support families of young people currently working with PYMHWS
• Support First Nations and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) family, carers and kin, including collaborating with cultural supports and interpreter services
• Work respectfully with families of young people that identify as LGBTQIA+ and support linkages to LGBTQIA+ support services as required.
• Support the implementation and evaluation of family/carer groups, collaborating with the Senior Family Carer Consultant
• Participate in committees, service development initiatives, clinical review meetings and other forums to share a family lived experience perspective
• Promote and ensure families participation in service planning, participation, research and evaluation to support lived experience voices being heard throughout the service

About You:

A passionate and empathic person with lived experience as a family member, carer, kin or supporter, who can draw upon their own lived experience to support families accessing the PYMHWS service.

✔️ A minimum of Cert IV or diploma level in health, welfare, community development, and/or adult education (or equivalent experience) is highly desired.

✔️ Knowledge of the Intentional Peer Support framework, and familiarity with using the IPS framework.

✔️ Ability to work independently and effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

✔️ Passion and interest in the role of the lived experience workforce within youth mental health.

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 Susan Preece on +61 422 202 554

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.