APS 6 Peer Team Leader

at  Department of Veterans Affairs

• Salary Range: $97,735 - $110,982 + Attractive Superannuation
• Contact Officer: Thomas Sutcliffe 0436 600 959 Thomas.Sutcliffe@dva.gov.au
  Open Arms is Australia’s leading provider of mental health services for Australian current and former serving military members and their families. Open Arms is committed to embedding Lived Experience and Peer work as an integral part of our service delivery environment. It recognises the importance of a culture where Lived Experience and Peer work is supported and respected as a part of the way all mental health services are delivered. This role will work alongside the clinical teams in delivering an efficacious service and will report to the Assistant Director.
  Under the direction of an Assistant Director, the position requires to leverage knowledge and experience gained from their own Lived Experience journey to lead and support Community Peer Advisors. They will also utilise their experience as an ex-serving Australian Defence Force member, or family member to inform best practice. Communication and interpersonal skills are paramount, and the Peer Team Leader must demonstrate high levels of integrity and emotional intelligence.
  Under the Open Arms Model of Care, the Peer Team Leader will undertake their own caseload implementing peer support for veterans’ and families’. They will also undertake a leadership and operational supervision requirement with the Peer Advisor workforce within their region whilst working effectively in a multidisciplinary environment.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS AND EXPERIENCE

• Currently hold or ability to obtain a Working with Vulnerable People registration/Working with Children check
• Lived experience of Australian Defence Force (ADF) service, either as an ex-ADF member, or as partner/carer of a current serving or ex-ADF member (spouse, ex-partner or widow/widower).
• Personal experience, or experience of supporting someone else in mental health recovery, including an understanding and experience of accessing the mental health service sector either for yourself or for another person
• Experience working in Lived Experience and/or Peer support service delivery roles
• Qualifications in Lived Experience specific training and ongoing professional development.
• Willingness to undertake relevant training, professional development and professional supervision, including completion of Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work.

• Manage a Community Peer Advisor workforce inclusive of operational supervision and performance management of employees to ensure their ability to meet service delivery requirements.
• Manage more sensitive and difficult problems relating to the Lived Experience practice and The Open Arms Model of Care. Including manage complex client relationships and escalated enquiries/cases and issues.
• Articulate Open Arms vision, strategic and operational goals to staff, including Lived Experience led values of support, hope and connection, and translate this into practice.
• Provide guidance, advice and workload management to Peer Advisors to undertake their roles efficiently and professionally to meet expected standards of service and quality.
• Implement changes based on feedback to maintain and improve service delivery standards and outcomes.
• Utilise understanding of the wider Lived Experience movement and concepts including Lived Experience-led research and training to promote contemporary, recovery-oriented, person-directed service delivery.
• Promote leadership and championing of Lived Experience at all levels and support and guide the development of the Lived Experience workforce.
• Build relationships based upon shared Lived Experience and support the Assistant Director and Director to maintain strategic alliances with other business areas of DVA, the Australian Defence Force, Ex-Service organisations, government agencies, and other service providers.