BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM:

Fusion’s Student Household Service provides a safe, supportive environment for young people who’ve had to move out of home due to family conflict or other issues but are committed to continuing their education and creating a positive future for themselves. Each young person is also supported by a Case Worker who meets with them regularly to offer professional support, help them work through challenges, connect them with specialist services and even to reconcile with their families where possible. Our program provides medium term accommodation across our three houses, including 2 independent living homes and one that is staffed overnight. We also have a team of volunteers who support the young people.

Fusion Student Housing Service supports 15-25 year old people experiencing housing crisis with supported accommodation in the Bentley area, meaning that young people are not just provided with a bed, but required to engage in various aspects of the program such as meeting regularly with a caseworker and working towards an agreed upon case plan, participating in a living skills program and other aspects of communal life such as respect for other residents.

Objective: For young people to become successful administrators of their own lives.

FUSION’S PHILOSOPHY OF SUPPORT:

Fusion Housing and Support programs work from a holistic framework, understanding that homelessness is not just the absence of a roof over one’s head. We understand that all people have a need to be part of a wider network of support and to contribute towards their community. This service works on a model of self-determination and empowerment where the service user actively participates in determining the level and direction of support provided as part of a case management process. This may include a range of issues associated with homelessness and other risk factors. From the commencement of support, the goal is to work towards the independence of the service user and to assist them in establishing networks of support and care, both professional and community based, to serve them in the future and help them make a meaningful contribution to the community. Fusion model of casework comes from a trauma-informed strength based approach where we work with each individual to set goals and work together to help them met these goals and address barriers they may have.

Scope:

• Work within policies, procedure and guidelines established by Fusion Australia to develop and implement a person centred Case Management Plan for each young person entering the Fusion Student Household Service.
• Work to supervise, support and mentor housing service staff and volunteers to facilitate the effective implementation of a Case Management Plan for each resident.
• Work as part of the team to provide a safe environment within the Housing Service that supports the residents to take responsibility for their own lives and develop skills, awareness and character.

Brief Description of Role:

20 Hours per week - days and hours negotiated.

Responsibilities:

Creation and implementation of a Case Management Plan for each resident in the service:

• Work with the Housing Manager to process and interview referrals.
• Managing the entry, induction and exit of residents.
• Initiating, developing, and implementing case management plans with residents

• Each resident has a clearly documented Case Management Plan within four weeks of entering the service.
• Meet with each resident at least monthly (more often as needed) to support them in achieving their goals as outlined in their case management plan.
• Residents grow in effective administration of their own lives as shown by:
  • Their commitment to their goals and positive life choices (relationships, school attendance, keeping appointments)
  • Their working together with other residents in the house so that the household is fun, hospitable, clean, tidy and there is mutual support and encouragement

Supervision, support and mentoring of Youth Workers, relief staff and volunteers:

• Supervision and support of the households in the Fusion Student Household Service by:

• Leading a weekly house meeting
• Informal mentoring as opportunities arise

• Integration of the service into the wider work of Fusion by:

• Encouraging participation in Fusion events as appropriate
• Participating in Perth Centre, State and National events as appropriate
• Understanding and communicating Fusion’s statement of purpose, vision, mission and values.

Youth Workers and Relief Staff grow in their awareness, skill and knowledge. This shown in:

• increased rapport with residents
• effective leadership in the house which produces

• residents working together so that the house is clean, tidy and functional
• residents are hospitable
• residents feel supported and encouraged by each other
• appropriate respectful faith conversations

Provide efficient service operations:

• Ensure that:
  • All documentation is completed in a timely fashion – includes SHIP reports, housing meeting notes, records of staff supervision meetings, reports to Manager, notices of warnings
• Attend Casework meetings
• Following up phone enquiries promptly
• Submit and ensure submission of incident reports within stated timeframes
• Submit program debrief forms as required
• Work with Manager to update tools and forms as needed
• Participate in regular service reviews
• Attend supervision sessions both internal and external
• Attend staff meetings
• Participate in staff development programs as required

Communication is effective. (The people who need the information receive it in a timely and accessible way.)

• There is trust built with residents, volunteers and co-workers.
• There is professional respect built from other agencies for FSHS
• Issues are dealt with promptly and effectively
• FSHS demonstrates continuous quality improvement.

Promote a healthy holistic culture in the housing service:

• Promotion of growth and feedback and community
• Promotion of fun, recreational, community community-building activities
• There are regular recreational events both with individual households and the whole service
• The house is a hospitable and enjoyable place to visit
• Staff are praying for each other, the residents, the household and wider mission.

Assist in the recruitment, selection and induction of Youth Workers and Relief Staff:

• Work with team to promote the service at appropriate forums and with agencies and churches
• Work with Housing Manager to conduct interviews for Youth Workers and Relief Staff and select and appoint in consultation with WA Operations Manager.
• Opportunities are made to represent the work of Fusion
• There is an increasing pool of relief staff and volunteers.
• Volunteers understand their role and how the household and the service works and how to access the information they need.

Promote the functioning of a positive and productive team:

• Promote a positive and constructive work environment that expresses Fusion’s values
• Commit to and promote adherence to Fusion Code of Conduct, Safe Organisation policies, and WHS procedures
• Promote and participate in conflict resolution and effective communication
• The Fusion team is a positive, safe, hospitable work environment
• Conflicts with fellow workers are brought to quick resolution or assistance is requested as appropriate.
• WHS issues are addressed and fixed.

Promote and contribute to training and development events:

• Promote Training events as appropriate to staff and volunteers
• Participate in training events as negotiated
• Participate in Fusion Perth development events as negotiated. (e.g. strategic planning, State Conference, National Conference, Housing reviews.)

• Team are informed and access training and development as able.

Engage in professional development and external supervision as negotiated:

• Consult with Housing Manager regarding Professional Development opportunities and the priorities of the role and attend those agreed upon.

• Attend external supervision sessions on the schedule agreed with Housing Manager

STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE

• Provide timely and sufficient reports, Case Management plans and other records
• Maintain documentation and correspondence to a high standard in compliance with Fusion Policy and Procedures
• Fusion’s Policies and Procedures are followed and explained to clients and volunteers.
• Respond to phone messages and emails promptly
• Be open to receive feedback from colleagues and subordinates
• Be willing to give feedback to colleagues and subordinates
• Maintain clear and open communication with colleagues and subordinates
• Model Fusion’s values in all interactions within your role
• Maintain professional relationships with support professionals and Fusion supporters
• Set and maintain appropriate boundaries with young people

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

• Relevant qualifications and or demonstrated experience (Youth work, Education, Social work, social sciences or Occupational Therapy.)

• Demonstrated ability to act in a leadership role in a team
• Experienced in working with ‘at risk’ young people 16-24 years of age.
• Sound understanding of the policy and practice context in which the service operates.
• Demonstrated commitment to teamwork, networking and reflective professional practice.
• Report writing, oral communication and computer skills.
• The capability to work with supervision, to prioritise a demanding workload and to show appropriate initiative
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• A commitment to the principles of equity of access, cultural diversity, client service and accountability
• Current driver’s license, excellent driving record, own car with at least Third Party Property Damage Insurance.
• Willingness to work from a framework of Christian values.

Desirable

• Familiarity with current NAHA funding and the youth housing sector.
• Use of SHIP platform

Successful Applicant must hold a valid Working With Children’s Check (employee) card and also successfully undergo a National Police Records Check.

Enquires should be directed to Neil Curran at [email protected] using the subject line: Youth Housing Caseworker enquiry via EthicalJobs.