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

• Part time (0.6FTE) until 30 June 2027, with option of extension subject to funding
• SCHADS 4
• Applicants who have a lived experience of homelessness are encouraged to apply
• First Nations People, LGBTIQA+ people, people with disability, people of colour, public housing residents or people with a lived experience are encouraged to apply
• DS is committed to child safety and to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation in line with the Victorian Child Safe Standards.  The safeguarding and wellbeing of children and young people is central to our work. We have zero tolerance for child abuse and are committed to acting in the best interests of children and young people.  All staff are required to participate in a thorough recruitment and screening process, including holding a current Working with Children Check and completing a National Police Check.

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 LGBTIQA+ people who are experiencing homelessness. Pride in Place identifies and intervenes early to direct LGBTIQA+ 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).

Pride in Place is funded until June 2029 and services LGBTIQA+ people in the Hume Moreland, Inner Western Metro, Outer Eastern Metro and Central Highlands Regions.

Pride in Place Peer Navigators work within the team to undertake preliminary case work and engage clients in the Fifth Phase of the LGBTIQA+ 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 work in a client-centered manner to increase independence, improve social-emotional wellbeing and promote recovery. This will occur through diverse and varied approaches that may include individual support, workshops, peer-led groups and more.

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 approaches to support people who have experiences of homelessness. This client journey and peer support approach will wrap around a range of services to address key drivers of homelessness engage clients with safe and responsive housing providers.

Your responsibilities

• Leverage lived experience as well as professional skills to support clients who identify as being part of the LGBTIQA+ community who are experiencing housing instability.
• Develop tailored case plans for clients to address support needs relating to reducing homelessness risk, strengthening tenancy management skills and other goals within the scope of Pride in Place.
• Utilise appropriate assessment tools as required to identify client needs or risks and appropriately action these, seeking support from line manager if needed.
• Develop and maintain a peer-focused working relationship with clients to help support them achieve individualised goals.
• Establish and maintain a thorough knowledge of local community agencies, including eligibility and referral requirements and other relevant resources.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of LGBTIQA+ specialised services as well as organisations with known safe practices.
• Aid in the development, delivery and facilitation of projects or initiatives such as peer-led groups, workshops, co-design processes, community-capacity building schemes and more.
• 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.
• Provide written reports  and other duties as required

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)
• Ability to work with and support LGBTIQA+ people who are experiencing homelessness and presenting with multiple needs, including alcohol and other drugs, mental and/or physical illness, psychosocial, behavioral issues
• Understanding of the needs, issues and sensitivities of people from diverse backgrounds including Aboriginal, LGBTIQA+ and culturally and linguistically diverse people and communities
• Ability to provide assessments, case planning and support response to people experiencing homelessness
• 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, LGBTIQA+ 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
• Full Victorian Driver’s Licence (desirable)

Please review the position description which outlines the full list of responsibilities and key selection criteria

Application process

• To submit your application, please click 'Apply Now' by the closing date.
• Applications close at midnight on the closing date
• All applications will be directed to our careers portal – Pride in Place Peer Navigator
• All applicants must include a resume with a cover letter addressing all the key selection criteria for the position to be considered.
• Applicants shortlisted for an interview will be required to provide evidence of their qualifications during the interview process

Please contact Callum Fearn on 03 9663 6733 or [email protected] using the subject line: Pride in Place Peer Navigator enquiry via EthicalJobs to discuss your application.

DS supports a flexible and productive work environment through its Hybrid Work Model. Where operationally viable and in line with role requirements, eligible employees may have the opportunity to work remotely on a structured basis. Eligibility for hybrid work is subject to the conditions outlined in DS’s Hybrid Work Model Policy and is not automatically granted.

A position description is attached.