Assertive Youth Outreach Peer Worker

About the Opportunity

MCM (Melbourne City Mission) is a leading community services organisation that innovatively works alongside thousands of Victorians and their communities to overcome barriers, providing a broad range of support in Homelessness, Family Services, Disability, Early Childhood Intervention Services, Palliative Care, Education and Mental Health service areas.

This role, based in the Northern corridor of Melbourne, will operate within the new Hume Youth Assertive Outreach program and will provide assertive support, advocacy and referral to young people who are disengaged or at risk of disengagement across the region to assist them in navigating life’s challenges and enhancing their wellbeing. 

The Peer Worker will play a key role in engaging young people to access MCM services and support them in navigating mainstream community supports. Your lived experience and personal recovery will provide a distinct advantage as you support existing clients towards a more hopeful future. As a Peer Worker, you will use lived experience to inform practice, build connection and to effectively build professional relationships with the young people disengaged or at risk of disengaging across Hume.

The Hume Assertive Youth Outreach Service established in July 2026 aims via a Street Based Outreach approach to

• Engage At-Risk Youth;
• Build Trust and Relationships;
• Provide Immediate Support and Resources;
• Promote Social Inclusion;
• Raise Awareness of Available Services; and
• Reduce incidents of rough sleeping

About you

We are looking for someone who can:

• Provide education from a lived experience perspective for young people to better understand their support options, and to increase the capacity of MCM, Hume City Council and community partner organisations to better respond to the needs of young people.
• Build authentic relationships with young people to establish safety, trust and rapport to meet young people where they are at, using an assertive outreach practice and outreach shifts.
• Foster hope, trust, and rapport with young people disengaged or at risk of disengagement in Hume LGA to engage in support, referrals and to build social connections.
• Support and empower young people to understand and better manage their health and wellbeing, which may include development of skills or access to available services.
• Maintain knowledge of and provide suitable referral pathways for young people as needed, based on partnership and positive relationships established with relevant local services.

Benefits of working with MCM include:

• Diverse and inclusive organisation
• Attractive Salary Packaging benefits
• Supportive learning and development environment
• Culture of continuous improvement

Essential:

• Lived experience of social exclusion and related challenges with an ability to use own life experience to provide support to existing young people and build their hope for the future.
• Knowledge and experience in engaging and working with young people who experience marginalisation and disadvantage, who may be disengaged from the community.
• Formal training in Peer Work (e.g. Intentional Peer Support/SHARC Peer Worker Training) and/or experience in formalised Peer Work role(s) or a willingness to achieve these as part of the role.
• An ability to effectively communicate with young people, and the community, the challenges, experiences, and enablers that contributed to their journey.
• A level of awareness and empathy that allows you to work with groups and individuals that may challenge their ethical opinions and values.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and with broader partner agencies.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and boundaries with clients.
• A commitment to trauma informed practice and MCM’s healing orientated framework.
• Computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft programs.
• Current Driver’s License.

Desirable:

• Tertiary qualifications in Peer Work, Social Work, Youth Work, or related.

Screening Criteria:

• National Police check
• Working with Children check
• Valid Victorian Drivers license
• Right to Work in Australia

Applications for this role will close on 22 June 2026 or Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early.  Please include your current resume and cover letter.
Please review the position description to understand more about the role and responsibilities.  If you have any needs throughout the recruitment process that have not already been catered for, we encourage you to contact recruitment@mcm.org.au to let us know how we can better support you to apply.

About MCM

MCM is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to safety. MCM embraces differences because we know that diversity and inclusion help us to attract, recruit, engage and retain talented people. 
We are a leading not-for profit-for-purpose organisation that offer a broad range of services in Disability, Homelessness, Palliative Care and Education.

Our commitment to Safety

MCM is committed to the safety of its clients and employees, taking a zero-tolerance approach to violence within the workplace and abuse, including child abuse and abuse of people with disability. All employees are required to comply with the Child Safe Standards.

Our commitment to Diversity, Inclusion & Equity of Access

At MCM we embrace our differences because we know that diversity helps us to innovate and make the biggest impact possible. Our DEI Strategy supports and drives an inclusive workplace culture. We embrace the learning opportunities that come with authentic commitment to equity of access for all. We particularly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply.