Peer Mentor in Justice

Casual, offsite, various locations

Two positions

About SHARC:
Established in 1995, SHARC is a community of people impacted by alcohol, drugs and gambling, including family, friends and supporters. Together, we work towards an Australian society where our communities' lived expertise is at the heart of inclusive communities, services, and systems.

Our Vision: Lived expertise is at the heart of inclusive communities and services, where people proudly share their experiences and support each other in a society free of stigma and discrimination.

Our Purpose: We transform lives, services and society through our community's lived experience of alcohol and other drugs, gambling and related harms. We create change by being ourselves, supporting one another, telling our stories, sharing our knowledge, advocating and building allyships.

SHARC places a priority on a positive, supportive, and productive work environment. Our services operate within an empowerment framework which maximises clients’ and volunteers’ opportunities for self-responsibility, mutual support and participation.

We transform lives, services and society through our community's lived experience of alcohol and other drugs, gambling and related harms.

About the program:
Peer Projects believe in the value of lived experience, one peer helping another, at all levels of the service system. Since its establishment, SHARC’s practice and service delivery has been underpinned by peer support.

We are the lead sector resource for peer activities and peer workforce development, working alongside the Department of Health to support the growth, development and sustainability of Victoria’s AOD peer workforce. We focus on state-wide capacity building of peer support activities, and the development of the AOD peer workforce discipline.

SHARC provides peer mentor support to participants in the following court programs:

• The Children’s Court of Victoria Family Drug Treatment Court (FDTC) in Broadmeadows and Shepparton

• The Magistrates Court of Victoria’s Drug Court in Melbourne, Dandenong, Ballarat and Shepparton

• The County Court of Victoria’s Drug and Alcohol Treatment Court

Position Objective:
A Peer Mentor in Justice utilises their direct lived experience of the justice system, a lived experience of alcohol and other drugs and recovery to form effective and emphatic peer relationships by appropriately sharing personal lived experience and understanding of:

• the impact of alcohol and other drugs

• navigating the justice system

• accessing services

• their direct experience of recovery and personal change processes

As a Peer Mentor in Justice you will provide direct, one-on-one and group support to program participants. Working within the court’s facilities alongside other Peer Mentors in Justice and Court staff, you will have ready access to help and support from the SHARC Peer Services Coordinator by phone, email and regular site visits from senior staff. Your role is to positively mentor participants whilst they are going through the program, offering genuine empathy, understanding and practical support.

This is a designated AOD lived experience role.  

Further information about the opportunity can be obtained from the position description.

• Demonstrated lived experience of recovery from alcohol and other drug use and involvement with the justice system, with the ability and willingness to use this experience to support and empower others.

• Ability to share lived experience in a purposeful, professional, and appropriate way that fosters trust, hope, and connection with participants.

2. Participant Advocacy, Support and Engagement

• Demonstrated ability to provide individual and group-based peer support, including assisting participants in setting and working toward personal recovery goals.

• Demonstrated experience in effectively advocating in the interests and needs of service users.

3. Communication and Relationship Building

• Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build respectful, non-judgemental relationships with diverse individuals and work collaboratively with court staff, external services, and internal teams.

• Experience setting clear role boundaries and communicating the purpose and scope through disclosure statements and consistent engagement.

• Demonstrated ability to use electronic systems to accurately record peer notes in a timely manner.

• Experience using Microsoft Outlook or similar.

4. Risk Awareness and Ethical Practice

• Understanding of, and ability to work within; professional boundaries, privacy/confidentiality principles, and duty of care requirements.

• Capacity to identify and respond to participant risks appropriately, including escalating concerns when necessary.

5. Autonomy and Accountability

• Ability to manage a personal workload independently, including caseloads, appointments, session planning, and timely record-keeping.

6. Group Facilitation and Education

• Experience or confidence in facilitating peer support groups and/or delivering peer-led education sessions to support participant engagement and recovery.

7. Commitment to Reflective Practice, Ongoing Learning and Team Contribution

• SHARC highly values new ideas and ways of working. It is expected that Peer Mentors in Justice will see opportunities for improvement and that feedback is welcome.

• Willingness to participate in the essential requirements of regular supervision, reflective practice, team meetings, and professional development activities.

• Ability to contribute to continuous improvement, evaluation, and feedback processes within a supportive team environment.

Current Victorian Driver’s Licence (preferred)