Registrations open for Lived Experience Peer Cadet Program

The Lived Experience Peer Cadet Program will be open to applications as of 4pm Monday 17 January 2022.

Funded by the Victorian Government, the program provides employment opportunities for people with lived experience undertaking the Cert IV in Mental Health Peer Work.

It does so by offering a paid two day a week cadetship over 12 months at one of six participating Victorian non-government community mental health services.

These services are: cohealth, EACH, Mind Australia, Neami National, Uniting Victoria Tasmania, and wellways.

"The Peer Cadet Program responds to the Royal Commission’s recommendation to increase the number of entry points into the lived experience workforces," said the program's Statewide Coordinator Kris O'Brien.

It does this in a number of ways, including; 

• The creation of a supportive and structured environment for entry into the lived experience workforce while undertaking the Cert IV in Mental Health Peer Work. 

• Creation of multi-layered support within organisations through access to supervision, mentorship, community of practice and profession relevant education.

"Creating the Peer Cadet Program across a coalition of community mental health organisations allows individuals taking part in the program the opportunity to collaborate, learn and reflect with a community," said Kris.

"It's exciting because we are creating a coalition of organisations across a sector in community mental health that traditionally is quite individual, allowing the ability to have a collective impact."

"Creating a formalised supported pathway to enter into the lived experience workforce supports the development and recognition of the value of lived experience throughout the mental health sector," he said.

To apply or for more information click here.