Intentional Peer Worker -

About Ruah

Ruah is a leading values-driven employer in Western Australia’s community services sector. Our staff go boldly, not just supporting people in need, but working to end homelessness, end domestic violence and create opportunities for people struggling with poverty and mental health challenges.

Our professional team of operational and corporate services staff is backed by one of WA’s biggest Peer support workforces. Our staff reflect our commitment to diversity and inclusion, where difference is valued, celebrated and embraced.

By choosing to work with us, you are helping transform the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged people in our community.

About the Role

The Samaritans WA, Ruah and Telethon Kids have partnered to open an early-intervention, residential, short-stay service for young people aged 16-24 years who are experiencing suicidal thoughts. Luminos is a place for young people to build hope and resilience under the guidance of trained staff.

Peer Workers will be integral members of the Luminos team working closely with the Clinical Team Lead, Youth Suicide Counsellor and Support Volunteer Counsellors. As a Peer worker in the service, you will purposefully utilise your own lived experience of living with thoughts of suicide, service use and healing journey to build hope in young people accessing Luminos.

As with other Ruah staff, Peer Workers have access to a tailored training program, regular supervision, and co-reflective practice.

Peer support within Luminos operates within the framework of Intentional Peer Support, which is founded on three fundamental principles.

• Learning rather than helping.
• Relationships rather than the individual.
• Hope rather than fear.

As an Intentional Peer Support Worker you will focus on:

• Connection: the process of building trust, often regarded as the core of peer support.
• Worldview: recognition of the individual’s understanding of experiences and the diversity of perspectives.
• Mutuality: re-defining help as a co-learning and growing process.
• Moving Towards: a place where the relationship provides the opportunity to create new possibilities together.

This is a fixed term part time position, working 22.8 hours per week. Applicants must be available to take part in shift-work within a 24/7 service, including weekend and weekday morning shifts, day shifts and awake night shifts.

This is a fixed term position, due to expire on 30 June 2025, with the possibility of extension.

What we’re looking for

The successful applicants will be required to meet the following criteria:

• A Lived or Living Experience of suicide (a lived experience of suicide is having experienced suicidal thoughts or survived a suicide attempt).
• Experience working in community work setting, ideally with youth.
• A demonstrated understanding of Trauma Informed Practice principles and ability to implement this in day-to-day practice.
• Ability to work independently with a high level of reliability and contribute to the functioning of the team.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to model personal wellbeing, safe professional and personal boundaries, and positive unconditional regard for the people you are supporting.
• Understanding of computer skills including Microsoft Office and client reporting system.
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating groups, including ability to prioritise different needs within the group.
• Ability to apply intersectional lens when working with young people.

The following criteria are desired, but not essential:

• Knowledge and understanding of diversity, gender and social inclusion, particularly Aboriginal culture. 
• Intentional Peer Support training, Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work, Peer Skillset at TAFE, or equivalent.

What do we offer?

• A salary aligned with Level 4 of the Ruah Enterprise Agreement (and the SCHADS Award), starting at $85,399 + superannuation.
• 5 weeks annual leave + annual leave loading of 17.5%. Employees also have the opportunity to earn a 6th week of annual leave if they work more than 4 hours on 10 or more weekend days in a calendar year.
• 16 weeks paid parental leave, with flexibility to take at 32 weeks half-pay (uniquely, new staff can access 4 weeks paid parental leave after just 6 months’ service). 
• Free, independent and confidential access for you and your direct family to our Employee Assistance Program.
• Free Ruah-paid Journey Cover (insurance for when you're getting to and from work).
• Incredibly valuable Salary Packaging (to extend your take home pay) with:
• up to $15,900 core packaging
• an additional $2,650 in meal entertainment packaging
• benefits for salary packaging travel, accommodation, parking fees, education expenses and more!
• Opportunities to be active in the Ruah Community such as participating in a wide range of working groups, joining us at Pride events, being a part of a range of cultural events to promote and support reconciliation and much, much more! 

Required compliance documents:

• Current WA drivers’ license
• National Police Clearance Certificate
• WA Working with Children Check
• Provide First Aid Certificate

How to apply 

We’d love to hear from you!

Please click apply, create your LiveHire profile, and submit your current CV along with a cover letter of no more than two pages, helping us understand your fit for this role.

Closing date for applications: 5pm Monday 10th March 2025

If the suitable candidates are successful prior to this date, the ad will close early. Ruah may extend the application period if required.

For further information or a confidential discussion about the position please contact: Lorraine Kelly - Team Lead at lorraine.kelly@ruah.org.au

We are building a workplace where difference is embraced and encouraged - and to do this, we need people on our team who are representative of the clients we work with, who are passionate about change and courageous enough to stand up for what is right. 

Ruah has a zero tolerance against child abuse and are committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people, and their right to feel safe and be safe across all areas of our organisation.

Everyone is welcome. Everyone belongs.