Position Description

Private and Confidential

Peer Support Partner
(Carer Gateway)

Live Better Position Description

About Us:
Live Better Community Services is one of the largest human services providers in regional Australia. Our core business
is customer-focused in-home and accommodation services. Additionally, we provide support to customers through a
broad range of child and family services, Out of Home Care, community transport, home modification and
maintenance, and clinical services. We operate from more than 40 locations across regional New South Wales,
Queensland, and Victoria, providing support and employment to people in the communities we serve.
We take a person-centred approach to our service delivery. This means ensuring our contact with customers is caring
and empathetic, providing both psychological and emotional safety, and of practical assistance to help people live
their best lives.
Our Beliefs:

• We believe in the enduring value and dignity of the individual.
  

• We believe in the power of kindness.
  

• We believe connection to home and community plays an important role in wellbeing.
  

• We believe as individuals, as an organisation, and as a society, we should continually reflect on the way we

treat each other.

Our Purpose:

• We inspire possibility by giving people access to support in their chosen community.

Our Mission:

• We achieve our purpose by connecting capable, passionate, and caring locals with those who need support.

Our Values:

• Integrity: We are honest and ethical in all our dealings and are accountable for our actions.
  

• Respect: We recognise the rights and choices of our customers, employees, and communities. We

encourage teamwork and support diversity.

• Cooperation: We identify and create value from partnerships and alliances with other organisations,

agencies, businesses, communities and within our own organisation.

• Empowerment: We encourage and support individuals and communities to realise their full potential.
  

• Excellence: We strive for best practice in all that we do as individuals, teams and as an organisation.

Live Better Position Description

The Position
Position title: Peer Support Partner
Job Type: Staff


Reports to: Program Manager (Carer Gateway)
Direct reports: Nil
Note: This Position Description is indicative of the initial expectation of the role and subject to change
in line with requirements of Live Better’s goals and priorities, activities or focus of the job. The
incumbent can expect to be allocated duties not specifically mentioned in this document, but
within the capacity, qualifications and experience normally expected from persons occupying
positions at this level.



SERVICE DESCRIPTION
To improve support for carers, the government researched and engaged with stakeholders over four years to re-
design services. This has resulted in the development of the National Carer Gateway model. This introduces a range
of tailored carer supports and services designed to reduce carer stress, increase resilience, and help carers plan for
the future. The approach includes national and regionally based services.
Within the Carer Gateway network there are 16 service areas which align with the Primary Health Networks with 9
Service Delivery Partners. Live Better delivery local supports the NSW Region 3 which includes Murrumbidgee PHN,
Western NSW PHN and South Eastern NSW PHN.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Carer gateway In-person Peer Support Program provides carers with an opportunity to share experiences and
learn from each other in a peer group setting. The program draws on three approaches: peer support principals, the
CHIME framework and elements of reflective practice. These frameworks have been used to develop a service
approach that provides a structured session plan with flexibility for group participants to determine important and
relevant topics, engage in mutual conversations and move towards individual goal planning, with the development
of communication skills and building sustainable relationships.
The Peer Support Partner will draw on their own lived experience as a carer to support the learning of others. This
includes effectively communicating the experiences that contributed to their own caring journey. They will also have
the ability to demonstrate an awareness of their own experiences, to articulate and share personal strategies for
self-care, safety and wellbeing. This includes providing a personal insight into their own caring jourey and the
subsequent effect this has for individuals, families and the broader community.

RELATIONSHIPS

• Reporting to the Program Manager (Carer Gateway)

• Building and maintaining relationships with all external stakeholders

MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Lived experience as an unpaid carer, caring for a family member or friend.

• Thorough understanding of the caring role and evidence based carer supports that enable carers to sustain

their caring role and enhance their own wellbeing and identity.

• Transferable skills gained through previous life and work experiences that enable the ability to create and

follow agendas for peer support forums and ongoing self-development.Live Better Position Description

• Strong communication and negotiation skills, enabling the successful facilitation of In-person Peer Support

Group sessions and to network within the community.

• An understanding and demonstrated commitment to social inclusion and diversity with the ability to provide

a non-judgemental, empathic and confidential approach.

• Sound computer skills, including the Microsoft Office suite of products and the ability to learn new systems

when required.

• Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritise workload in a constantly changing environment.

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team with a flexible and adaptable approach to working

arrangements.

• Current drivers’ licence and willingness to travel as required for the position.

• Current First Aid and CPR Certificate

Desirable

• Knowledge of issues for carers from Indigenous or culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

• Personal knowledge of region specific health services, formal and informal community networks and primary

health services.

• Previous experience in facilitating Education and/or Peer Led Programs.
  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Working with the Carer Support Planners and Intake Officers to facilitate the referral of carers into the In-person

Peer Support Program.

• Providing carer referrals to appropriate services in their community.

• Engaging with the community and the public to raise the profile of carers including representing carers,

Live Better and its services at regional events and activities.

• Completing all necessary administrative tasks associated with the program including accurate database entry.

• Actively participating in training and professional development.

• Connecting carers with people (other carers) in similar circumstances.

• Delivery of formal structured In-Person peers Support Programs within the community for carers, facilitating

carer learning from peers through the sharing of lived experiences.

• Facilitating of structured peer support forums that provide information on how access other services and events

in the community.

• Facilitating opportunities for carers to access the benefits of peer support. This consists of carers meeting in-

person, sharing their experiences, learning from one another and developing networks to help support and
connect with one another.

• Acknowledging the lived experience of individuals providing support to a family member or friend and placing the

carer’s needs at the centre of the service.

• Supporting the effective delivery of group sessions in accordance with session plans for each of the four

facilitated In-person support sessions utilising the developed templates and guidelines for session plans.

• Creating an enjoyable, inclusive and authentic environment for carers, empowering carers through the CHIME

framework.

• Matching carers to groups appropriate to their needs and experiences.

• Supporting carers to develop skills and self-care through the Reflective Practice Model.

• Formulation of session plans using the following model: Connection, Finding Community, Making Meaning of

Now and Finding Purpose.

• Establishing group cohesion and positive interactions is group sessions:

o Creating structure and purpose for group sessions.
o Understanding the role of intentional story sharing.
o Encouraging sharing and participation.
o Providing carer resources (e.g. diary, journal, etc.).

• Supporting carers to understand what ‘community’ means to them:

o Exploring connections with community.
o Identifying ways to be involved in community.Live Better Position Description

• Supporting carers to find meaning from their experience:

o Reflecting on caring experiences.
o Considering where further sources of support can be accessed (both formal and informal).

• Supporting carers to develop practical strategies to support their daily life.

• Ensuring carers have the opportunity to think about how they want to proceed after they exit the program and

providing opportunity to access additional community supports.

• Gathering and analysing participant feedback and acting accordingly on feedback.

• Provision of reports to the Program Manager as required.

• Community networking, actively participating in and contributing to the local community, including community-

driven education and development.

• Establishment and management of a ‘wait list’ for group participants.

• Contributing to local team activities and participating in internal and external meetings, workshops and local,

regional forums and information sharing activities as required, to support the ongoing development and
promotion of Carer Gateway services.

• Responding to enquiries from the community and key stakeholders.

• Identifying and engaging with key community stakeholders to support stakeholder engagement, partnership and

referral opportunities.

• Travelling to other regional locations (including overnight stays) as required.
  

RISK
All staff must be aware of operational and business risks.

They should:

• Provide input into various risk management activities assist in identifying risks and controls

• Report all emerging risks, issues and incidents to their manager or appropriate officer

HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
All staff are required to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of other personnel who may
be affected by their conduct.
Advise Live Better in writing of any conditions which may impact ability to carry out the responsibilities required of
the role.


NATIONAL POLICE CHECK, NDIS SCREENING CHECK, AND WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK
The position holder is required to pass and hold a current National Police Check, NDIS Worker Screening Check and a
Working with Children’s Check (NSW/VIC) or Blue Card (QLD).

PRE-EMPLOYMENT MEDICAL ASSESSMENT
The position holder is required to pass a pre-employment medical assessment, including drug and alcohol screening.


DIVERSITY
We are committed to welcoming and maintaining a diverse workforce, which will help us attract and retain a team of
talented people to better serve our clients and improve business results.

PRIVACY NOTIFICATION
We require personal information relevant to your employment. The collection and handling of the information will
be consistent with the requirements of the Privacy Act.


INFORMATION SECURITY COMPETENCIES
We require all staff to demonstrate and maintain an adequate and proportionate level of information security
knowledge and competence.

Remuneration
Live Better Position Description

An appropriate remuneration package in line with the skills and experience of the successful candidate will be
negotiated. Salary packaging opportunities are available.