• Eaglemont location, Wurundjeri Country
• Part time (0.6EFT), fixed term parental leave cover role until 04 July 2022
• Salary package full time equivalent up to $102K pa pro rata (inclusive of base salary $84K FTE, super and salary packaging)

For over 140 years, Berry Street has adapted to a changing world, and we will continue to adapt to achieve our purpose. We believe children, young people and families should be safe, thriving and hopeful. Our Vision for 2022: Together we will courageously change lives and reimagine service systems. We look forward to working with children, young people, families, carers, staff and partners to achieve this vision. Together.

The Opportunity

The Keys to Independence Program (K2I) provides assistance to young people aged 16-21 who are/were on a Family Reunification, Care by Secretary or Long-Term Care order who are transitioning from/have left care in the North East Melbourne area.

Depending on the Victorian restrictions at the time of the successful applicant starting, this role may be a hybrid of a working from home arrangement or in the office due to the COVID-19 situation. If so, the successful applicant will be expected to integrate into the team from home to begin with, reintegrating into the office as Victorian restrictions are lifted.

Key Responsibilities

In collaboration with care teams, carers and young people, K2I aims to build the capacity of young people to strengthen their independent living skills, determine housing readiness and facilitate opportunities to identify appropriate accommodation pathways. 

You will support the implementation of the ‘Housing Readiness’ tool in preparation for independent living to ensure young people are matched to suitable accommodation and brokerage support. You will also offer assistance to young people in Out of Home Care and their case managers/carers or via assertive outreach to young people who have left care to assist them to make informed choices around accommodation options and provide information and referral to community, education and training.

About you

You will hold a tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Welfare or a related discipline and be able to demonstrate a broad understanding of issues relating to young people who have experienced out of home care.

You will have an understanding of the homelessness system with an emphasis on youth homelessness and a passion and commitment to supporting vulnerable young people. You will have skills and experience in the provision of support and service delivery to young people who have challenging support needs and the ability to apply evaluation and assessment, intervention and interactive skills with young people.

The Benefits

• Additional salary packaging available for meals/accommodation.
• Flexible work arrangements and generous leave conditions.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), including access for staff members’ immediate family.

How to Apply

Applications including resume and cover letter addressing your suitability for the position to be submitted as soon as possible as applications will be assessed as they are received.

Queries to Lyn Fletcher, Manager Youth Housing and Better Futures on (03) 9450 4700.

Please Note; the successful applicant will be subject to comprehensive reference and background checking prior to employment, including a Working with Children Check and National Police Check.

Berry Street is committed to being a child safe, child friendly and child empowering organisation. In everything we do we seek to protect children. We are committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children; children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds; children with a disability; children who identify with a sexual and or gender minority identity. We aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity and respect regardless of their cultural background, ability, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, spirituality or religion.

Aboriginal people; people from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds and people with a disability are encouraged to apply.