Youth Mental Health Peer Worker (headspace)

• Permanent, Part time, 0.6FTE | Location:  Port Adelaide
• Collaborative and client focused team | Experienced and supportive leadership
• SCHCADS L 4 $44.58 p/h + PBI salary packaging

headspace Program

headspace is Australia's National Youth Mental Health Foundation and provides support to young people aged 12-25 experiencing mild to moderate or emerging mental health concerns. The multidisciplinary team at headspace Port Adelaide provide free services to work to improve mental health, sexual and physical health, alcohol and other drugs, and vocational and educational outcomes for young people. Centacare is the lead agency for headspace Port Adelaide

The Role

Centacare has an opening for a Youth Mental Health Peer Worker join our headspace team at Port Adelaide to join on part-time basis till 30 June 2026.

In this role, you will draw on your lived experience to provide compassionate support to young people aged 12–25 years, helping them navigate and overcome challenges related to trauma, mental health, and emotional distress. Your insight and understanding will play a crucial part in fostering hope and resilience, empowering young people to take positive steps toward improved wellbeing.

The key duties in this role will include:

• Understanding how to use your experiences to connect with others, fostering a sense of understanding, empathy, and hope. Building relationships based on shared experiences and mutual respect. 
• Understanding of mental health peer work and mental health recovery framework principles and values, and how to apply them in practice.
• Understanding the scope of the peer work role – understanding the differences between clinical and non-clinical approaches.
• Ability to identify and respond appropriately to vulnerable individuals who may be at risk.
• Capacity to hold space for emotional complexity with care, while maintaining professional boundaries to protect both personal wellbeing and the safety of those you support.
• Ability to advocate for individuals' rights, help them identify and utilise their strengths, and support them in making positive changes towards recovery. 
• Knowledge of clinical mental health and community services and other appropriate referral pathways, during, or post peer support.
• Capacity to problem solve effectively, engage and work creatively with individuals and within the organisation.
• Capacity and willingness to conduct presentations and programs to large groups of people working from a lived experience perspective.
• Ability to work effectively in a team.
• Excellent organisational, interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal) to communicate effectively with individuals. Liaise, build relationships and partnerships, consult and negotiate with a wide variety of stakeholders.

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• Valid Department of Human Services (DHS) Working with Children Check (previously known as ‘Child-Related Employment Screening Clearance’).
• Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work or Mental Health Peer Work Skillset (or willing to work towards).
• Certificate IV in Mental Health (or equivalent).
• Valid South Australian driver's license.

 See attached Position Description for full details. 

What's in it for you

• SCHCADS Level 4 $44.58 p/h + super + PBI salary packaging
• Generous salary packaging to help increase your take home pay
• Meal and entertainment card option available
• High performing, goal focused, collaborative & supportive team environment
• Longstanding and reputable organisation 
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health insurance discounts with Bupa

About Us

Each year, we support more than 30,000 people through community services in metropolitan and regional South Australia, operating within a strong ethical framework. We are client focused and provide support regardless of race, economic circumstance, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious belief or ethnic background. Centacare is a Child Safe, Quality Accredited Organisation and is a registered NDIS provider. We value the uniqueness of individuals, we consult, collaborate and operate with integrity and professionalism. Centacare is committed to cultivating a harmonious workplace free from harassment and discrimination. Equal opportunity principles align with our mission, vision and values. We believe that treating our workers fairly has a positive impact on our clients and maintains our reputation as a great place to work.

To learn more about us, click on the video Centacare Catholic Community Services - Our Story

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and cover letter (as one document) detailing your interest in this position and outlining the experience and qualifications that you can bring to the role. To access the position description or submit your application click on the Apply button. 

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity please contact Tanja Humphries, Manager, on 0417 253 312.

Closing Date: 5 pm, 21 July 2025.

We encourage applicants to apply promptly as applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the job posting may close without notice.

Applicants from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

With respect, no agencies please.