• Full time until 30 June 2019 then 0.8 EFT ongoing from 1 July 2019

This position is responsible for providing support for clients who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Homeless Services Program

The Homeless Services Program is a jointly funded program of the Commonwealth and State Governments. The Homeless Services Team provides case managed support and access to supported accommodation for families, couples and single women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The Program also provides Initial Planning and Assessment and Interim Response as part of the Opening Doors Initiative (the centralised intake for people experiencing homelessness in the Barwon Region).

Tenancy Plus

Tenancy Plus – Tenancy support program will provide early intervention for at risk public and community housing tenants via the provision of wrap around supports to assist the tenant to either establish or maintain their tenancy. The program aims to assist tenants to address issues that will, or are placing their tenancy at risk to improve their long-term housing outcomes.

Intensive Case Management Initiative

The service provides case management support and brokerage funds for creative approaches to support homelessness assistance clients who have high and complex needs, within an intensive case management framework.

A Place to Call Home

A Place to Call Home is funded through the Department of Human Services as part of the Australian Governments Nation Building Plan. Under this program clients in need of housing assistance will be provided with access to 12 dispersed APTCH properties coupled with support for twelve months. The people living in these properties will then transfer to long term Public Housing after twelve months and be replaced by existing public housing stock.

Families at Risk of Homelessness Support Service (FRHSS)

Provide a case management approach to service delivery that is family oriented, client-focused and aimed at empowering and working with families and children exiting the homelessness service system who require additional support to establish and maintain safe and secure accommodation.

Key Responsibilities

Service Delivery

• Lead strong service response for the provision housing support to identified families including women and children experiencing family violence, indigenous families and families in housing crisis:
  • Build and maintain positive relationships with stakeholder to facilitate a partnership approach for determining allocations in accordance with program guidelines
  • Provide case management support to clients who have been allocated properties for which Bethany has allocation and nomination rights.
  • Liaise with the DHHS to when transferring clients to Public Housing and organising replacement stock.
• To provide and participate in service delivery, processes or procedures as required by SalvoConnect Entry Point.
  • Work in collaboration with SalvoConnect Entry Point to manage waitlisted clients
  • Meet the conditions of the agreement with SalvoConnect Entry Point.
• To contribute to the development of a clearly articulated model for case management within the housing and family violence programs that promotes planning, coordination and sustainable assistance to those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
• Provide quality case consultation to Housing Workers and other professionals including stakeholders to identify pathways and key transition points that focus clients moving towards long-term stable and secure accommodation in either public housing, community housing or private rental.
• Provide advocacy and advance practice support to families with high level of complexity with support to establish and sustain tenancy, including
  • Conducting safety and risk assessments in line with Common Risk Assessment Framework to determine the current and ongoing risks and service requirement for women and children who are experiencing Family Violence.
  • Support for tenancy at risk at Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
  • Advocacy for person requiring assistance under the department’s Transfer of Tenancy policy.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Building and maintaining positive relations with key stakeholders to facilitate a partnership and practice approach.
• To work collaboratively within an integrated Housing Program and to participate in service delivery in the range of services provided within the Housing Services Program as required.
• Actively participate in team and Agency meetings.

• Make recommendations to effectively resolve problems or issues, by using judgment that is consistent with Bethany Values, standards, practices, policies, procedures, regulation, industrial instruments or legislation.

Operational Program Support

• To maintain accurate and appropriate client files in line with accreditation standards, maintain complete and accurate date internally and externally and to follow agency policies, procedures and program service standards.
• Actively participate in regular formal supervision with Team Leader – Housing Services.
• Support and participate in the Agency’s continuous quality improvement process.

A full Position Description is attached below.