Consumer Position: Play Safe Summer Peer Education and Youth Advisory Committee
Purpose
To act as a Play Safe Summer (PSS) consumers providing peer education and youth advisory functions across South Eastern Sydney Local Health District focusing on health issues affecting young people, such as sexual health, alcohol and other drugs and mental health.
The PSS consumers work as part of a team under the direction of the HIV and Related Programs (HARP) Unit Health Promotion Team to contribute to projects and programs that promotewellness for 14 to 24year olds in South Eastern Sydney.Young people from diverse backgrounds – including Aboriginal, culturally and linguistically diverse, gender and sexually diverse will be sought to ensure the peers reflect priority populations.
PSS consumers provide a unique perspective to help inform health promotion and youth health planning, policy and program development. They also work with service providers to improve their youth friendliness.
They contribute to innovative ways of connecting and communicating with young people to address youth health issues (e.g. use of web-based or social networking technologies, newsletters).
PSS consumers’ participation is paid according to the Consumer and Carers Representatives Procedure. The majority of hours of participation areweek nights and weekends. PSS Consumers hours are not fixed or guaranteed and may range from 2-6 hours per fortnight.
The HARP Health Promotion team is based in Darlinghurst however PSS activities will be run out of headspace Bondi Junction.
Selection Criteria
- Aged between 16 and 24 years
- Demonstrate an ability to work harmoniously within a team context and also work independently when required under direction from a manager or supervisor
- Demonstrate an interest in health issues for young people and be willing to engage in conversations about sexual health, drug and alcohol harm reduction and mental health in particular.
- Be able to advocate for young people on consultative committees, forums and planning meetings
- Ability to work flexible hours (late afternoons and occasional weekends)
- Be willing and able to travel within the South Eastern Sydney LocalHealth District (SESLHD)northern suburbs (Mascot/Botany/Maroubra/La Perouse – Woolloomooloo, City of Sydney).
- Demonstrategood communication skills (verbal, written)
- Be confident in the use of social media and web-based technologies
Key Accountabilities
Undergo orientation to SESLHD PSS Peer Education and Youth Advisory Committee (PEYAC) program.
Undergo training in sexual health, harm reduction in relation to alcohol and other drug use, outreach and inclusivity training and Mental Health First Aid.
Work within a team structure and be accountable to the Health Promotion team delegate coordinating the program.
Provide as directed outreach activities within the northern suburbs of SESLHD, engaging with young people in community and youth service settings to provide them with health information and sexual health resources.
Assist young people to access youth appropriate information, resourcesand services and toimprove health promoting strategies.
Advocate for young people within the SESLHD area and promote youth friendly strategies to address youth health issues.
Contribute to program and project planning and activities as part of the youth advisory committee, promoting health information and wellness strategies in community settings including at youth events.
Assist in engagement with other young people to enable proper consultation about youth health issues and ways of changing risky behaviour or promoting wellness and resilience.
Represent youth on committees, forums and planning exercises that address youth health issues as required and appropriate.
Conduct consultations with health servicesto address their level of youth friendliness and provide follow-up recommendations.