Posted: 28/08/2025
Closing Date: 12/09/2025
Job Type: Permanent - Part Time
Location: Sunshine
Job Category: Community Services and Development

THE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING CONNECT CENTRES ARE LED BY THE EXPERIENCES OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIVED/LIVING EXPERIENCE OF SUPPORTING SOMEONE WITH MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES AND/OR SUBSTANCE USE CHALLENGES. THE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING CONNECT CENTRES PROVIDE A WARM AND WELCOMING SPACE AVAILABLE TO FAMILY, CARERS, KIN AND SUPPORTERS OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS, WITH NO NEED FOR A REFERRAL. THEY PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT WITH PEERS ALONG WITH TAILORED INFORMATION, RESOURCES, ADVOCACY, SUPPORT (INDIVIDUALLY AND GROUP WORK), AND ACCESS TO BROKERAGE FUNDS THROUGH TANDEM’S CARER SUPPOR

Jesuit Social Services has been funded to deliver the Western Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Centre (the ‘Centre’). In establishing this exciting initiative, Jesuit Social Services is committed to engaging with and employing people with a lived/living experience of support or caring for people who have a mental health and/or substance related issues.
Jesuit Social Services’ Western Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Centre is contracted to deliver services two evenings a week and on Saturdays.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

This role will suit a candidate with the following skills and experience:

• Relevant tertiary qualification/s and valid Victorian Driver’s License (probationary minimum)
• Experience delivering high-quality, short-term counselling and group work programs.
• Experience working with a diverse range of participants, including individuals, families, children and carers in community and outreach environments
• Capacity to fulfil reporting and administrative requirements associated with the position
• Lived or living experience as a family member, carer or supporter of someone with mental health challenges, or substance use challenges is highly desirable

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Counsellor and Group Workers will report to the Coordinator Counselling and Group Work, Western Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect and will:
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- Deliver high quality, strengths based, trauma informed, short-medium term counselling to families and carers who access the Centre. This is offered face-to-face at the Centre, through outreach in the community, and via telehealth.
- Develop and facilitate group programs and activities across Western Melbourne that meet the wellbeing needs of carers that visit the Centre
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- Deliver services after hours (the Centre is open two evenings a week until 9pm, and from 10am – 4pm on Saturdays). The current role (0.8 FTE) is required to work one afternoon (13:00-21:00, preferraby Tuesday); penalties apply.
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- Work with the Coordinator Counselling and Group work and broader team to deliver a Centre that is welcoming, driven by the voices of carers and relevant to their needs.
- This role is based on-site in Sunshine
Competitive remuneration, plus salary packaging benefit, is offered together with ongoing professional and career development.

This role will suit a candidate with the following skills and experience:

• Relevant tertiary qualification/s and valid Victorian Driver’s License (probationary minimum)
• Experience delivering high-quality, short-term counselling and group work programs.
• Experience working with a diverse range of participants, including individuals, families, children and carers in community and outreach environments
• Capacity to fulfil reporting and administrative requirements associated with the position
• Lived or living experience as a family member, carer or supporter of someone with mental health challenges, or substance use challenges is highly desirabl