Bridge It

Bridge It is growing, and we are looking to recruit a Housing Coordinator. Bridge It launched as a charity in 2021. Over the last 12 months we opened the doors to two residential programs which offer high quality and affordable housing with wrap around supports.

Role Overview

The Housing Coordinator will work across Bridge It’s programs, providing case management support to residents. The Housing Coordinator will also assist in the day-to-day running of the programs, covering the duty role, and assisting with life and living skills groups.

Bridge It - The Cocoon

The Cocoon is a heritage listed property in the heart of St Kilda. The property is owned by community housing provider HousingFirst. The Cocoon is now home to female-identifying people between aged 17 and 24 years who have a history of homelessness or of being in out-of-home care.

The Cocoon offers a therapeutic space for residents to heal from their past experiences, discover their full potential, and develop their independent living skills. We have a dedicated therapeutic group space, The Butterfly Room, which is used for group and individual support sessions. Each resident is supported by a Housing Coordinator, and there is onsite support each weekday.

The residents have access to groups such as cooking groups, dog walking, and coffee clubs. There is also access to alternative therapies including massage and acupuncture.

The Cocoon offers residents accommodation for one year and support is provided to move into safe, affordable, and long-term housing at the end of their tenancy.

Bridge It – The Sanctuary

The Sanctuary is a heritage-listed mansion in the heart of St Kilda, comprising of 8 fully renovated studio apartments. The Sanctuary building is also owned by HousingFirst. The Sanctuary provides a home to female-identifying people who have histories of homelessness and are living with a disability.

Individualised support is provided which might include assistance to obtain volunteering opportunities, linkages with other services such as counselling, assistance to develop independent living skills.

Resident’s support is funded through their NDIS packages. The residents at the Sanctuary can stay for as long as they need and, for some residents, The Sanctuary may be their home for life.

Our Expansion Plans

Bridge It hopes to launch our second Cocoon residential program for young people in 2023. This Cocoon will be situated in Sandringham. The successful applicant would be expected to work across all programs.

POSITION

The Housing Coordinator will provide the following support.

• Conduct complex assessments to assess suitability for the programs.
• Develop comprehensive support plans in collaboration with residents.
• Assist residents holistically in all life areas outlined in their support plans.
• Assist residents to maintain their tenancies through skill building.
• Provide advocacy and referral to external organisations.
• Conduct risk assessments and safety plans.
• Ensure resident’s satisfaction by providing high quality support informed by evidence-based best practices, such as strength-based and person-centred approaches.
• Provide support around life and living skills both one-on-one and in a group setting.
• Provide on-site drop-in support at The Cocoon assisting with the day to day needs of residents.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITiES:

The Housing Coordinator will be expected to:

• Meaningfully participate in the organisation and maintain a positive workplace culture.
• Attend a weekly staff meeting and contribute to the agenda and discussion.
• Participate in external and internal supervision sessions every 6 weeks with a focus on reflective practice.
• Be mindful of wellbeing, risk, and compliance issues through consistent application of all policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Work within ethical, privacy, and duty of care frameworks.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Bridge It is able to offer successful applicants permanent part-time or full-time contracts. There is an option of working 0.8FTE, 0.9FTE or 1FTE across a minimum of four days. You will be based onsite three days per week with 1-2 work from home days.

We may also consider applicants who are interested in a casual position within the organisation with the same role.

Remuneration for this position is based on the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (2010), pay points 4-5 depending on experience.

People with a lived experience of homelessness, disability or the out-of-home care system are strongly encouraged to apply. Bridge It values diversity and we support people of all cultures, genders, and sexual orientations.

THE BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH BRIDGE IT:

• Receive competitive remuneration, excellent support, and training.
• Be provided with regular external and internal supervision sessions.
• Be part of a passionate and positive team.
• Have flexible working conditions, with flexibility around hours, workdays, working from home arrangements and time in lieu.
• Access five days of wellbeing leave pro-rata additional in addition to four weeks of annual leave.
• Access to Salary Packaging.
• Be part of a new and exciting organisation.

IS THIS YOU?

• Do you want to make a difference to people’s lives?
• Do you love to work as part of a team?
• Do you think creatively and want to trial new ways of supporting people?
• Do you wish that you could work from home as well as working from the office?
• Do you have qualifications in social work, occupational therapy or related fields?
• Are you a strong communicator?
• Do you see people’s strengths and want to support them to realise their potential?

If you have any questions about the role or application process, please contact Carla at [email protected] using the subject line: Housing Coordinator enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.