About the role
UCWB is looking for a Lead Mentor to join the Aspire Recovery Connection (ARC) Peer Mentor Program. The Lead Mentor will guide, support and strengthen our Peer Mentors across the southern region.
This is a designated lived experience role. We are looking for someone who can work intentionally from their own lived experience of mental and emotional distress, alongside strong leadership, reflective practice and a deep belief in the value of peer connection.
As Lead Mentor, you will support a team of lived experience Peer Mentors to deliver compassionate, authentic and relationship-based support. You will also provide direct peer support to people in ARC’s community.
We work from shared humanity, mutual learning and meaningful connection. Our practice is grounded in lived experience, Intentional Peer Support, the Power Threat Meaning Framework, compassion, human rights and social justice.
This role is a balance of people leadership, peer practice and program coordination. You will spend time supporting people, coaching staff, overseeing rosters, managing administrative requirements and helping the program run smoothly.
About UCWB
Our purpose: Together we build connected and thriving communities.
Our Values:
- Bold and Brave
- Open and Curious
- Connected and Inclusive.
Our Strategy:
- Innovate and build thriving communities
- Grow positive impact together with community
- Mobilise our vibrant, engaged, learning organisation.
We
build connected and thriving communities with a team of over 220 staff and volunteers. For 140 years, we’ve been walking alongside people to create positive futures and lead independent lives they are proud of. We deliver services in Aged Care, Children & Family, Financial Health, Mental Health, NDIS, and childcare.
At UCWB, we celebrate the power of difference and the strength that harnessing our differences creates. We value the experience and expertise of people from all cultures, ages, spiritualties, disabilities, genders, sexualities, thinking patterns, caring status, bodies and backgrounds. We are committed to action that makes our organisation and the wider community welcoming, safe and inclusive.
What you’ll be doing
In this role, you will:
- Lead, coach and support a team of lived experience Peer Mentors
- Provide regular supervision, practice support and reflective conversations
- Deliver direct peer support to people accessing ARC’s services
- Support compassionate, relationship-based practice across the team
- Help ensure support is grounded in Intentional Peer Support and the Power Threat Meaning
Framework
- Coordinate rosters, timesheets, phone and email communication
- Maintain accurate NDIS documentation and service records
- Oversee billable activity and support accurate claiming processes
- Complete quality and satisfaction reviews with people accessing the Peer Mentor program
- Support staff compliance, learning and development needs
- Participate in recruitment in response to program demand
- Work with internal teams, external providers and community members to support strong
communication and continuity of care
- Contribute to feedback, learning and continuous improvement across ARC
About you
You are someone who understands the power of lived experience, not as a story to tell, but as a way of being alongside people with respect, curiosity and care.
You bring warmth, steadiness and strong boundaries. You can hold both the relational and operational parts of the role. You are comfortable supporting people, leading a team and staying across the practical details that help services run well.
You will bring:
- Personal lived experience of mental and emotional distress and recovery
- Understanding of lived experience peer practice
- Experience leading, mentoring or coaching others
- Strong relationship-building skills
- Confidence working with people, families, teams and external providers
- The ability to manage competing priorities in a busy service environment
- Strong administration, computer and communication skills
- A commitment to reflective practice, learning and continuous improvement
- Cultural sensitivity and a respectful, inclusive approach
Experience in NDIS, psychosocial support, peer work, community services or mental health settings will be highly regarded.
Essential requirements
To be successful in this role, you will need:
- Certificate III in Community Services or equivalent experience/qualification
- NDIS Worker Check
- Working with Children Check
- National Police Check
- Australian Driver’s Licence
- Ability to travel across the Adelaide metropolitan area
- Availability to work outside normal hours on occasion
What we can offer you
You’re joining an organisation that truly cares about your wellbeing, values what you do and celebrates success.
- Industry-leading job satisfaction and workplace flexibility.
- Salary packaging/tax free income for eligible employees offering 6-12% increase in your take-
home pay (package up to $15,900 per year pre-tax and an additional $2,650 Meals and
Entertainment).
- An equal opportunity workplace where diversity, inclusion and lived experience are genuinely
valued.
- Career and personal development opportunities.
- Personalised support and counselling for mental health challenges for you, your immediate
household members, in person, over the phone or online.
- Flexible leave provisions including access to 4 weeks paid parental leave in excess of the
government scheme for eligible employees, option to apply for up to 2 weeks leave in advance
(upon successful completion of probation) and option to cash out long service leave after 7
years of service.
- Superannuation Guarantee paid on every eligible dollar earned.
- Discounts on a range of products and services through our salary packaging provider
Community Business Bureau (CBB).
You will thrive in a supportive workplace which celebrates its rich, diverse and inclusive workforce.
Location
This role is based from UCWB’s Bowden office, with outreach across Adelaide’s southern suburbs.
To Apply for this Job
1. Review the Role Profile on the UCWB Recruitment Website and consider whether you meet
the Essential Criteria and the Screening Requirements.
2. In your cover letter, we would love to hear about:
• why this lived experience leadership role interests you
• how your peer practice values align with UCWB values
• your experience supporting or leading teams
• how you balance relational work with operational responsibilities
3. For a confidential discussion, please phone 0490 679 634 and ask to speak with Nikki Ellery
or Pieter Verdonk.
4. Submit your application via the Apply Now button and upload your resume and cover letter.
5. Applications close at 11pm on Monday 24th July, however shortlisting will commence
immediately upon receipt of suitable applications, and the vacancy may close earlier.
6. UCWB will provide reasonable adjustments for applicants with a disability throughout the
recruitment process. If you require adjustments, please advise us via
[email protected]
or by telephoning 8245 7100.
