The NDIS Mental Health Officer (NMHO) Program is a statewide program run by Flourish Australia. There are 18 NMHOs, one for every local health district (LHD) and specialty health network (SHN) across NSW. While the NMHOs will be employed by Flourish Australia, they will work closely with mental health services in LHDs and SHNs. The NMHO in Northern Sydney will be supervised by the Flourish Australia NMHO Program Manager, but work closely with mental health staff in Northern Sydney LHD.

While the roles vary across NSW, with each LHD/SHN having a specific focus, the overall aim of the NMHOs is to improve the access to and experience of the NDIS for people with psychosocial disability.

In general, the NDIS Mental Health Officers will:

Work with LHD or SHN mental health services to identify people who are or are likely to be eligible for the NDIS, and assist them to obtain the appropriate support through the NDIS
Work across all aspects of the NDIS journey, including access, planning, plan implementation and plan utilisation
Focus on building the capacity of LHD or SHN mental health service staff around the NDIS.
Work with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), Local Area Coordinators, NDIS Support Coordinators, NDIS Psychosocial Recovery Coaches and other NDIS providers as required to ensure people are connected to the NDIS and the supports they will benefit from.

For more information on the NDIS Mental Health Officer role, please read the general Position Description.

The focus of the position in each LHD and SHN varies. Please read the general position description in conjunction with the Role Requirements for the Northern Sydney LHD. Successful NDIS Mental Health Officers with be provided with specific performance measures and key performance indicators for the relevant LHD or SHN.

Who we are

Flourish Australia is one of Australia’s most experienced community mental health organisations. Our purpose is to support people to flourish, believe in their futures, and become contributing members of the community.

Our services are comprehensive and highly personalised because each person’s experience will be different and their needs, as an individual, are unique. Together we set goals, connect individuals with the right people, support services and opportunities to meet their needs.

Our positions are open to all suitably qualified applicants. We have a strong commitment to the participation of people with lived experience of mental health issues in our workforce. We value diversity and encourage applications from suitably qualified people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities, LGBTQ+ communities and mature age candidates.

Selection Criteria

Essential:

To be successful in this role you will have a strong understanding of the NDIS and relevant supports available. You will bring strong organisation skills, and the ability to monitor and streamline the progress of participants through all stages of the NDIS process. You will also possess the ability to work sensitively with people living with a psychosocial disability, their families and carers.

In addition, you will possess:

Qualifications in human services or relevant field and/or relevant work experience in psychosocial disability.

Demonstrated experience of working with people with psychosocial disability and supporting them to access and utilise the NDIS.

Excellent understanding of NDIS and eligibility criteria as it applies to psychosocial disability

Demonstrated ability to build the capacity of staff, including through mentoring.

Demonstrated ability to successfully liaise with service providers to assist people with psychosocial disability obtain the supports they need

Demonstrated ability to work across multiple sites and environments.

Excellent attention to detail, organisational skills and the ability to work independently, prioritise and meet tight deadlines.

Highly developed written and verbal communication skills and competence in the use of information technology systems.

Current unrestricted Australian driver's licence (P2 licence acceptable).

Vaccination Category A.

Desirable:

A personal lived experience of a mental health issue.

Demonstrated experience of working with Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander consumers, families and communities.

Demonstrated experience of working with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse consumers, families and communities.

Appointment to this role is subject to the NDIS Worker Screening clearance, National Criminal Record Checks and Working With Children Check.

In addition, as the roles will spend time onsite in the LHDs and SHNs, there are a number of vaccination requirements. These will be discussed with the successful candidates after the interview process.

For further information, please contact Jessica Whitbread, Manager. E: Jessica.Whitbread@flourishaustralia.org.au (please do not email applications).

The Benefits

Level 5 (SCHCADS) on the Flourish Australia Enterprise Agreement (2018)
Tax-Free Salary Packaging available up to $15,900 + additional $2,650 for entertainment benefits such as meals and holiday accommodation
Generous leave provisions including 17.5% leave loading + 2 additional days of personal leave + Christmas/New Years Gratis Day + 10 weeks paid primary carer parental leave
Comprehensive infrastructure including a laptop, mobile phone and other resources for work purposes
Exclusive Fleet pricing discounts with our preferred automotive supplier
Regular supervision (reflective practice), ongoing 1:1 mentoring and a comprehensive induction program
Employee Assistance Program for confidential wellbeing support
Opportunities for professional development and training to obtain mental health specific qualifications such as Mental Health First Aid, Certificate IV or Diploma in Mental Health and ASIST Suicide Prevention training
Workplace community groups- Rainbow Network for LGBTQ+ staff members & allies and YarnUp Group for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff members
Employee discounts program at 400+ popular retailers (Woolworths, JB HI FI, Rebel, Myer, Booking.com etc.)