EDV’s Lived Experience Peer Cadet Program is an opportunity for people with lived experience of eating disorders (consumer and carer) who are currently undertaking a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work to enter paid, part-time employment at EDV.

The program is an initiative of the Victorian Government in recognition of the important and growing need for lived experience peer workers in Victoria’s mental health sector. There are nine participating organisations across Victoria. Currently, the program is funded until 2027 at EDV. 

Cadets will undertake two days of paid work placement and one day of paid study leave per week over a 10-month cadetship period.  

During the cadetship, participants will develop knowledge, skills, and confidence in lived experience peer work in a supported environment.  

This can include:  

• Growing understanding, experience, and knowledge in relation to working in a community mental health service 
• Gaining in-depth insight into how peer work programs operate 
• Developing peer work skills, including understanding and communicating your story, 1:1 peer-led support, and group peer facilitation  
• Learning from a wide variety of professionals – both clinical and non-clinical, including other peer workers, consumers, and their supporters 
• Building and growing a professional, social, and peer network  

Those interested in joining the program are encouraged to consider the following criteria.

The full position description is available below. Key criteria include: 

• For people with personal lived experience: This position requires consumers to be recovered from an eating disorder. A person who has recovered identifies as having engaged in a recovery journey from an eating disorder and is currently able to manage their own wellbeing in alignment with recovery indicators* 
• For people with carer/supporter lived experience: This position requires that carers must be in a non-active caring role. A person who is in a non-active caring role has provided active care for an individual experiencing an eating disorder and that person is now recovering or recovered. 
• Currently undertaking or commencing a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work  
• A strong interest in the lived experience peer led workforce  
• A moderate understanding of eating disorders.  
• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills.  
• Strong interpersonal skills.    
• Ability to establish meaningful contact (empower & build rapport) with service users. 
• Ability to take responsibility for own learning.    
• Ability to take direction and use feedback to develop own capabilities. 

* What are recovery indicators?  

• Has achieved emotional distance from their experience  
• Has engaged in the process of motivated change 
• Is currently able to manage their own wellbeing 
• Can reflect on what they have been through and learnt from their experience 
• Can stand back from their experience to consider the wider range of different experiences that other people might have 
• Identifies when their own wellbeing is at risk and ask for help when they need it 

NEDC (2019) The Peer Work Approach- Part B, p14 

Applications for the program open yearly in June. Additional recruitment may take place during the year as needed.

2024 recruitment 

Anyone interested in applying to join the Lived Experience Peer Cadet program must watch an online information session, either live or recorded. Registered attendees will then be sent information to apply for the program. 

The information session covers: 

• About the Peer Cadet Program 
• What Is Peer Work 
• Why I chose Peer Work 
• What to Consider Before Applying to Become a Peer Cadet 
• Peer Cadetship Expectations 
• Peer Cadet Program Host Organisations 
• The Application Process 
• Question Time 

*Update as of June 20: There are no future 2024 online information sessions, but you can still receive a link to a past recorded session.*

Recorded information session – to receive a link to a recorded session please register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-25-peer-cadet-program-recorded-information-session-tickets-914293615817?aff=oddtdtcreator

Applications

Please apply through Ethical Jobs: Eating Disorders Victoria Peer Cadet Program 

Applications close June 24th, 2024.

Please always keep an eye on the EDV website and communications channels (e.g. social media, newsletters) for information regarding the next round of recruitment. 

If you have any questions about the program, please reach out to the Lived Experience Peer Cadet Manager, Ruth Green, at [email protected]