Social and Emotional Wellbeing Worker

Social and Emotional Wellbeing Worker, TMMHC

Reports to: Team Lead

Duration: Full-time, 12 months fixed term contract

Location: Position will work across both Canberra (City) and Tuggeranong (Greenway) Medicare Mental Health Centres

Think Mental Health Vision, mission and values

Think Mental Health (TMH) is committed to delivering high-quality and safe healthcare services to the local Canberra community. We recognise the importance of building collaborative relationships with stakeholders and engaging with our local networks to build awareness about mental health services.

Our Vision: A safe place to receive support, while you connect, heal and grow

Our Mission: Leading the provision of high-quality mental health care by increasing awareness and access to exceptional services

Our Values: Compassion, Inclusiveness, Passion, Respect, Leadership.

What we do

Think Mental Health (formerly Think Psychology Solutions) is a private organisation founded in 2011 by two local clinical psychologists, Vanessa Hamilton and Jason McCrae. We deliver both a private mental health clinic (Think Clinic) and a range of community sector mental health services, supported by government funding.

Think Mental Health currently delivers four community sector services; three Medicare Mental Health (MMH) Services; the territory-wide phone service, the Canberra Medicare Mental Health Centre (MMHC) and the soon to open Tuggeranong MMHC, along with Think WISE which is an in-reach psychological wellbeing service for residents of aged care homes. The MMH Services are nation-wide Adult Mental Health services. All Think community services supported by funding from the Capital Health Network (CHN) through the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care.

Position Purpose

The Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) Worker is an identified position for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person. The role supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults with a broad range of mental health and social and emotional wellbeing needs throughout their engagement with the service, from intake and initial assessment through to transition or discharge.

The SEWB Worker provides culturally safe, strengths-based and recovery-oriented support, including individual psychosocial support, care coordination and advocacy, and the co-facilitation of peer-led wellbeing and group programs. The role also supports the organisation’s community engagement by building collaborative relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and other relevant services.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the SEWB Worker contributes cultural knowledge and perspectives to support accessible, coordinated and culturally responsive care. The role also contributes to health promotion, service development and quality-improvement initiatives that strengthen the organisation’s cultural safety and responsiveness.

The SEWB Worker will be provided with appropriate orientation, training, cultural and professional support, and ongoing supervision to undertake the role within a supportive team environment.

Position Responsibilities

Provide culturally safe support, information and advice to consumers experiencing psychological distress, and to family members, carers and others involved in their care, as appropriate.

Use strengths-based support skills to engage with consumers, build connections, and promote hope, recovery and social and emotional wellbeing.

Deliver brief, recovery-oriented interventions within the scope of the role, including psychosocial support, safety planning, recovery and wellness planning, care coordination and advocacy.

Advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers, supporting their voices, preferences and cultural needs to be heard, understood and respected.

Coordinate referrals and facilitate connections with relevant community services, including Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), healthcare providers and social support services.

Work collaboratively with clinical team members, management and other relevant service providers to support coordinated and culturally responsive care.

Contribute to the development, documentation and delivery of culturally safe, recovery-focused group programs, including psychoeducation, social connection and practical support activities.

Play an active role in strengthening the Centre’s cultural responsiveness by identifying opportunities for development, recommending culturally informed improvements, and promoting inclusive practices across consumer care and team operations.

Participate in quality-improvement activities that strengthen culturally safe practice, including consumer and community feedback processes and the review and development of relevant organisational policies, procedures and resources.

Community engagement and relationship building

Establish and maintain respectful, trusted relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members, organisations and community leaders.

Build collaborative partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), local health and community services, and other relevant stakeholders.

Promote awareness and understanding of the Centre’s services, referral pathways and available supports within local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Strengthen connections and referral pathways between the Centre, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and relevant health and social support services.

Engage with community members and organisations to better understand local needs, priorities, service gaps and barriers to accessing mental health support.

Seek and communicate community perspectives to inform culturally safe, responsive and accessible service delivery.

Represent the Centre at relevant community meetings, events, networks and interagency forums.

Support community engagement activities, events and initiatives that promote social and emotional wellbeing, early help-seeking and connection with appropriate services.

Work collaboratively with partner organisations to coordinate activities, share relevant information and reduce duplication or gaps in support.

Contribute to the ongoing development, review and evaluation of the Centre’s community engagement activities and partnerships.

Administrative services:

Maintain all documentation as required by the operational guidelines.

Assistance in the development and documentation of wellbeing services.

Data entry as required by the operational guidelines.

Required Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Completion of appropriate training/qualification and/or work experiences within the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health, psychosocial or mental health sectors. Relevant qualifications include; Cert II or higher in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice, or Cert in Mental Health, Community Development or similar.

Identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, with strong connection to and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, social issues, and community dynamics.

Demonstrated experience supporting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples from a culturally safe, strengths-based approach.

Knowledge of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community services, ACCHOs, and mainstream support services.

Possess a high level of self-awareness and the ability to maintain healthy boundaries.

Ability to think and act calmly and deal sensitively with distressed people.

Demonstrated effective listening, communication skills, empathy and capacity to relate well to others with dignity and respect.

Demonstrated organisational skills together with the ability to manage priorities and meet deadlines.

Must be eligible to apply/currently hold a WWVP card and a National Police Check.

Positive attitude and genuine interest in mental health care.

Experience in a similar SEWB or mental health role within a health or social services setting.

Work Hours

This position is full-time, which equates to a 37.5 hr week, being 5 x 7.5hr days. The normal working hours are 8:30am – 5:00pm with a 1hr lunch break. Both operational management and profession specific supervision are provided internally. Extended hours may be required based on consumer demand, with some group sessions potentially occurring outside standard working hours. Where service needs require work beyond normal hours, alternative work hours or time off in lieu can be negotiated. Therefore, the ability to work flexible hours is essential for this role. The position may be filled part-time in a job share arrangement.

Think Competencies

Strategic thinking: We use our insights, awareness and experience to add value.

Resourcefulness: We generate evidence-based solutions.

Relationship management: We value and invest in strengthening internal and external relationships.

Data fluent: We understand, interpret and use data effectively to inform our work.

Cultural competence: We seek to understand and respect the values and customs of other cultures.

Embrace uncertainty: We work with ambiguity and complexity.

Dedication to excellence: We have a genuine passion and commitment to quality health care.

For further information about the Canberra and Tuggeranong Medicare Mental Health Centres, please visit our website at https://www.medicarementalhealth.gov.au/service/canberra-medicare-mental-health-centre-15868.

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