About the role

The Social and Emotional Wellbeing Outreach Worker employed by Oonah will support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients for Yarra Ranges's Mental Health and Wellbeing Local. The role will reconnect participants to culture, land and Community and you will walk with the client throughout the implementation of their treatment plan. This includes the provision of transport to and support at a range of services such as counselling and primary health where required to ensure the participants cultural safety of the Local Service. The Social and Emotional Wellbeing Outreach Worker is able to work effectively and sensitively with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander communities & services and is experienced in developing internal and external networks and partnering with communities in order to seek collaborative solutions with the goal of improving outcomes for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander participants, carers, and the wider community.

This role will work across 3 locations including Wellbeing Locals at Lilydale, OONAH locations in Healsville and Montrose

Key responsibilities

- Address the underlying causes of mental illness and support participants to manage the symptoms

- Reconnect Community members to culture, land and Community

- Walk with the participant throughout the implementation of the treatment plan, including provision of transport to and support at services such as counselling and primary health

- Prepare a customised cultural strengthening plan linking the participant into appropriate cultural strengthening programming

- Visit participants and help with immediate needs through outreach work, talking to participants about their needs and finding ways of supporting them to improve their social and emotional well-being

- Support participants arrested for related offences through arrest referral work





- Help participants access services including education and training

- Create records of each participant's history and chart participant progress during ongoing sessions

- Encourage participants to meet their goals and attend case management meetings regarding participant care

- Consult with other professionals to assess physical and/or mental progress as you guide each participant to address social and emotional well-being needs

About you

- Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Care (Practice) or working towards, OR a relevant qualification in health, social, or behavioral science

- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid OR ASIST Applied Suicide Intervention Training

- Excellent relationship management skills and the ability to deal with a diverse, and often competing, range of expectations and Community needs

- Able to work effectively and sensitively with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander communities & services and experienced in developing internal and external networks and partnering with communities

- Demonstrated in depth knowledge of mental health issues and the impacts on people and families

- Demonstrated strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills

- Well-developed problem solving, conflict resolution and decision making abilities

- Energetic, creative self-starter who can work well as part of a team, and also work independently when required

- Demonstrated competency in using databases and Microsoft Office programs (Word and Excel)





- Current government mandated vaccinations, Current First Aid Certificate or ability to obtain one, National Police Check, Current Working with Children Check-employment, Evidence of right to work in Australia, 100 points of identification

About us

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals are an important part of Victoria's reformed mental health and wellbeing system. The Victorian Government has committed to establishing 50 Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals. In the Yarra Ranges, Wellways, Eastern Health, Access Health, and Oonah are working together to offer an easy way to access care and support for people aged 26 years and over who are experiencing mental health concerns – including people with co-occurring alcohol and drug support and care needs and their family, carers, and supporters. Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals are free, voluntary, and easy to access, with no referral required. These new services will be delivered on the basis of 'how can we help?' and a 'no wrong door' approach, focused on giving choice and control over how the participant wants to receive support. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Local knows that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have not always been well-served by mental health and disability organisations. As partner organisations, we recognise our responsibility in addressing issues of injustice, inequality and stigma as part of ensuring our services are both welcoming and helpful for people and their families. As part of our commitment to reconciliation, we are working to create culturally aware and safe services for First Nations Community Members.

This is an Aboriginal Designated Position, classified under 'special measures' of section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. A Certificate of Aboriginality will be required prior to an offer of employment being made.

📌 Social and Emotional Wellbeing Outreach Worker (Lilydale)
🏢 Oonah Healthmmunity Services Aboriginal Corporation
📍 Lilydale