The ACT Government announced last week that WCS will partner with mental health provider Stride to provide a new psychosocial support service at the new Southside Step Up Step Down facility, located in Garran near the Canberra Hospital campus.

WCS and Stride were awarded the contract following an open tender process in 2020.

The new Southside Step Up Step Down will assist people in our community with mental health conditions who are becoming unwell or are transitioning back into the community after being discharged from an acute mental health inpatient unit.

Step Up Step Down care is provided in a rehabilitative residential setting, with psychosocial support available onsite 24 hours a day, and clinical support available 7 days a week. The length of stay is for periods of up to 2 weeks.

WCS will work with Stride to assist the transition back to community-living through outreach support to participants for up to 4 weeks upon exit from the Step Up Step Down accommodation.

Stride is currently recruiting local staff for a service manager, residential support workers and a peer support worker. WCS will also advertise for two recovery workers ahead of the facility opening.

If you would like to find out more about this new service or the new positions that WCS will be offering, please contact Pam Boyer at pam.boyer@wcs.org.au or on 6221 9519.