Pride in Place provides comprehensive, safe and inclusive recovery pathways for LGBTQIA+ people who are experiencing homelessness.

• DURATION: 0.5EFT until June 30th 2024. 
• First Nations People and people from Culturally Diverse Communities, LGBTIQ+ people and people with disability are encouraged to apply.
• Applicants who have a lived experience of homelessness are encouraged to apply.
• Drummond Street Services is committed to prioritising child safety and adhere to the Reportable Conduct Scheme for organisations.

About the role

drummond street services (ds) delivers responsive, intentional and evidence-based prevention, early intervention and treatment programs, within a public health framework for a range of communities, including a range of programs for LGBTIQA+ individuals, families and communities. We strive to build and enhance the innate resilience of children, young people, adults, their families and communities and to increase protective factors.

Pride in Place provides comprehensive, safe and inclusive recovery pathways for LGBTQIA+ people who are experiencing homelessness. Pride in Place identifies and intervenes early to direct LGBTQIA+ people who are at risk of homelessness towards a pathway and place of safety. Pride in Place consortium partners include Drummond Street Services Queerspace, VincentCare Victoria, Uniting, and Family Access Network (FAN). This is a pilot project, funded until June 2024 and services LGBTQIA+ people in the Hume Moreland, Inner Western Metro, Outer Eastern Metro and Central Highlands Regions. 

LGBTQIA+ Homelessness and Housing Peer Navigators work within the team to undertake preliminary case work and engage clients in the Third Phase of the LGBTQIA+ Housing and Homelessness Pathways function - the ‘Support to Independence Recovery Curriculum’. Peer Navigators are LGBTIQA+ people who have lived experience of homelessness and who will bring a personal understanding of the complexities and challenges involved in finding and securing housing. The Peer Navigator will empower clients to navigate the housing system, come up with creative and safe solution to their housing situation, and will provide practical supports where needed. 

Pride in Place’s client journey and service navigation approach integrates the value of ‘lived experience’ in both homelessness and discrimination to build an informed, empathic, and therapeutic recovery from the experience of homelessness. This client journey and case management approach will wrap around a range of services to address key drivers of homelessness engage clients with safe and responsive housing providers.  

A highly competitive salary package plus salary sacrifice opportunities will see you well remunerated.

Your responsibilities

• Peer case management of clients who identify as being part of the LGBTIQA+ community, who may present with multiple and complex support needs.  
• Work alongside the Service Navigator to develop appropriate individually tailored case plans in consultation with clients that are responsive to their needs and goals and incorporates their strengths. 
• Develop and maintain a peer recovery-focused working relationship with clients to help support and maintain change through a case management process.  
• Advocacy and referral with accommodation and support providers.  
• Assessment of long- term accommodation options and assistance to access these. 
• Establish and maintain a thorough knowledge of local community agencies, including eligibility and referral requirements and other relevant resources. 
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of housing providers aligned with the LGBTQIA+ community as well as other housing providers.  
• Actively use the above information in planning and advocating for outcomes with clients. 
• Liaise with staff of VincentCare Victoria, Drummond Street Queerspace, Uniting, FAN, community agencies and government on matters arising from individual client work as identified and those as directed by the Program Coordinator and Principal Practitioner. 

About you 

• A member of the LGBTIQA+ community with lived experience of homelessness, wanting to support others from the community.
• A values-based and client focused approach to service delivery informed by a demonstrated commitment to social justice issues. 
• Good communication and relationship building skills, the ability to maintain collaborative working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders. 
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team, taking direction when required.  

Selection Criteria

All of the following must be addressed in your application to be considered.

• A relevant vocational qualification (for example Certificate in Youth or Community Services or Diploma) or willingness to undertake a qualification, or equivalent professional experience in a related field (required).
• Full Victorian Driver’s Licence (desirable).
• Ability to work with and support LGBTQIA+ people who are experiencing homelessness and presenting with multiple needs, including alcohol and other drugs, mental and/or physical illness, psychosocial, behavioural issues. 
• Understanding of the needs, issues and sensitivities of people from diverse backgrounds including Aboriginal, LGBTIQ and culturally and linguistically diverse people and communities.
• Ability to provide assessments, case planning and support response to people experiencing homelessness. 
• Lived experience of navigating service systems with and for LGBTQIA+ clients.  
• A lived experience of and/or understanding of relevant primary and allied health services, alcohol and other drug treatment services, mental health services, employment, education and training options, LGBTQIA+ and mainstream support services, and affordable housing available to clients. 
• Ability to work collaboratively with others to identify and address service and client needs.
• The successful candidate will be a member of the LGBTIQA+ community with lived experience of homelessness.   

Application process

• All applicants must include a resume and with a cover letter addressing all the key selection criteria for the position

Please contact Jemma Mead on 03 9663 6733 or [email protected] using the subject line: LGBTIQA+ Homelessness and Housing Peer Navigator enquiry via EthicalJobs to discuss your application.

In line with drummond street’s affirmative employment practices, we can provide you with job application support. If you’d like to access this, please contact Jemma