POSITION PURPOSE

We’re looking for an experienced social worker who takes a person-centred and strengths-based approach to working with people, with a commitment to capacity building and community development, to work with the Darebin community.

DIVRS’s Emergency Relief and Community Support program works with community members who are in immediate crisis, experiencing financial stress or experiencing issues including housing, homelessness, family violence, legal matters and mental health. We have trained volunteer community support workers and social work students on placement who provide people with information, advocacy, referrals, support and access to food, bill help and no interest loans. We do so over the phone and in person.

The Complex Case Manager (social worker) will provide short to medium term case management for people who are experiencing multiple and complex issues, with the aim of building capacity and empowering people to take action as is right for them. Alongside holding a case load, you will supervise social work placement students and mentor them and the community support workers to best support and work with people.

We’re partnering with council and local community organisations across Darebin to address place‑based disadvantage. You’ll do outreach and provide case management support from locations across Darebin, including supervising students and volunteers at these locations. A typical week will involve working 2-3 days at DIVRS, 1 day at RNH and half days at EPCC, Northern Community CareWorks and Bridge Darebin, with some work from home. There may also be some out of hours and weekend work to attend community engagement events at the organisations.

As you’ll be working across the Darebin community, you’ll be able to identify issues, themes, trends and gaps, make recommendations and implement initiatives to address these.

The role is funded for 12 months. To enable the organisations involved to advocate for future funding, you will also write an evaluation report towards the end of the 12 months with recommendations for the future.

key responsibilities

Complex Case Management

• Work with people who are in immediate crisis, experiencing financial stress or have multiple or complex needs to provide short to medium term case management and support through a combination of tailored information, options exploration, supported referral, advocacy and casework.
• Use a person-centred, strengths-based approach to support people identify their strengths, explore options, build capacity and enable their fullest participation in goal setting, planning and decision-making.
• Establish effective relationships, develop trust and help a person feel safe to encourage discussion of issues and empower people to take action as is right for them.
• Keep accurate, up-to-date records and data and maintain confidentiality.
• Write case studies and reports as required.

Mentoring and Supervision

• Provide support and supervision to social work students on placement at DIVRS.
• Maintain student placement paperwork and liaise with tertiary providers.
• Mentor volunteer Community Support Workers and placement students to best support and work with people.
• Share knowledge and deliver training and development for staff, volunteers and students.

Community Development and Evaluation

• Develop and maintain effective relationships with community agencies, services and partner organisations.
• Identify issues, themes, trends and gaps for the Darebin community and make recommendations to address these.
• Facilitate educational forums and manage community development projects as needed.
• Write an evaluation report with recommendations for the future.

key selection criteria

• Tertiary qualification in Social Work (and must be eligible for membership of the AASW).
• Substantial experience working with people with complex needs and experiencing vulnerabilities using a holistic, person-centred and strengths-based approach.

• Excellent ability to work sensitively, flexibly and respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences and strong relationship management skills.
• Strong communication and advocacy skills.
• Experience supervising students, undertaking case reviews and making and implementing recommendations to improve practice, process, outcomes and people’s experience.
• Experience in community capacity building and ability to take initiative and work collaboratively with others.
• Effective prioritisation, organisational and problem-solving skills, with sound judgement and a proven ability to manage a complex case load.
• Resonate with our values and bring kindness, a willingness to listen and positivity to how you work.
• Current driver’s licence and access to a vehicle.

ABOUT DIVRS

DIVRS is a not-for-profit, volunteer driven organisation that delivers free services and programs to vulnerable populations in the City of Darebin. Our programs reduce financial stress, social isolation and barriers to accessing community information; promote health and well-being and sustainability; and provide opportunities for community participation. DIVRS offers a service that is free, confidential and impartial and recognises peoples’ right to make their own decisions.

To submit your application, click Apply Now.

Please call Fiona Scoullar, Health and Wellbeing Program Leader on 9480 8215 if you’d like to discuss this opportunity.

We will be reviewing applications as they come in so we suggest you apply as soon as you can.

A position description is attached.