Is this you?

• Excited to make a positive difference in a close knit, supportive team?
• Looking for a meaningful role where you can impact the lives of people with multiple and complex needs?
• Want to work close to home? South East Melbourne location based in Dandenong!

At ACSO, we look for people who believe in second chances, who share our values and are passionate about supporting forensic clients to re integrate back into the community. If this sounds like you, read on!

What ACSO can offer you

• Full-time, permanent position available
• $85,126.08 - $89,591.84 base salary + 11.5% superannuation + NFP salary packaging options (more after tax $ in your pocket!)
• Paid parental leave (14 weeks accessible after six months of employment)
• Annual leave loading of 17.5%
• Phone, laptop, and provisions to help set you up at home
• Learning and development opportunities - including access to ACSO's leadership development program and a dedicated leadership coach. In house training suite of client specific training including in Trauma Informed Practice, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), plus best practice training on all aspects of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.
• Flexible working arrangements - includes options for an accrued day off or compressed hours, and the opportunity to work from home 1 day per week on a hybrid model with our Dandenong hub
• Career progression opportunities - leadership development programs and coaching, opportunities for internal consultancy or secondments to other programs
• Wellbeing initiatives - such as free flu vaccines, wellbeing and professional development vouchers, Employee Assistance Program and Reward and Recognition Program. Our employees matter!
• Dedicated inclusion and diversity initiatives to support employees from all backgrounds and dispositions, including specialised leave for cultural ceremonies or gender affirmation

About Us

The Australian Community Support Organisation (ACSO) is a vibrant, values driven NFP, focused on partnering with Government and the community to co-design services that create real social change. We are an organisation with a bold vision to create a safe and inclusive community where prison truly is the last resort. Our purpose is to strengthen the wellbeing of our communities by advocating for and delivering services which divert people away from the justice system.

The Australian Community Support Organisation recognises the right to a safe and inclusive service without bias. ACSO is committed to the equitable treatment of its participants, employees and partners. We believe in humanity and celebrating the diverse voices of our community through leadership, practice and policy design, to honour and embrace diverse traditions, cultures and experiences of those we support and work alongside.

About the role

The Assertive Outreach Service (AOS) is a program established in August 2023 focused on delivering a targeted, time-limited-service response to a small number of clients with complex functional needs, who experience significant service gaps and present an unacceptable risk of harm to others and/or self. The AOS program will deliver assertive outreach and case management services to clients referred by the Department of Families and Fairness (DFFH) across the South East Metropolitan Region of Melbourne. 

Within this program, the Assertive Outreach Worker will support people to overcome barriers to accessing services and is provided flexibility in the place of residence or community, to build capacity for people with complex needs and improve their engagement with targeted interventions and services. Working under the leadership of the Complex Case Manager, the Assertive Outreach Worker will deliver practical support allowing clients to obtain their desired goals.

What we're looking for

This role could suit a somebody who has transferable skills and is looking for a new opportunity to develop community services and casework skills. What's most important to us is someone with the right attitude, values and who has the desire to learn. You will have/be:

• Willingness to work with high needs individuals, assessing and managing risk
• Ability to build positive relationships and communicate with people of diverse backgrounds and abilities
• Demonstrated capacity to work flexibly, possess the ability to manage competing demands, and able to effectively set boundaries and limits where required.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Competence in using PC-based office applications (i.e., Microsoft Office) and internet

Desirable but not essential

• Experience working with people with multiple complex needs
• Experience developing support plans and goal attainment strategies
• Knowledge and competency in casework practices, including working with complex clients
• Demonstrated ability to advocate on behalf of people you support
• Strong negotiation, conflict resolution and mediation skills

How to apply

If you think you'd be a great fit - we'd love to hear from you!

To apply and view the position description (PD), please visit our careers website by clicking the "Apply Now" button and provide a copy of your resume, a brief covering letter and a document outlining responses to the selection criteria found in the PD.

As ACSO is an NDIS provider, the successful candidate must hold an NDIS Worker Screening Check Clearance and Working With Children Check before they commence employment in this position.

To learn more about this position, please contact Tim Stevenson, Program Manager - Assertive Outreach Services, on 0499 306 226.

ACSO proudly acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as Australia's first peoples and pay respect to their rich culture, lores, customs and elders past and present. We strongly embrace the spirit of reconciliation and continue working towards ensuring an equal voice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, particularly those who have been touched by the justice system.

ACSO recognises the right to a safe and inclusive service without bias and aims to provide a safe working environment, one which seeks to protect those affected by domestic and family violence and holds those who may use domestic and family violence to account, whilst supporting positive behaviour change.

ACSO embraces diversity within its workforce and encourages applications from appropriately qualified and skilled people regardless of their background. All suitable applicants for this role will be considered regardless of age, ability, race, gender expression, sex, cultural background, spiritual beliefs or lived experience.