About the program

Community Integration & Accommodation Options (CIAO) is a support program for young people aged between 15 and 18 years who are transitioning from state care into our Lead Tenant Program. The CIAO program aims to assist young people to develop independence and skills necessary to maintain healthy and sustainable living prior to leaving care. The program utilises lead tenant(s) who provide the young people with a positive role model in a supportive, learning environment.

About the role

The CIAO case worker provides case management support to young people in referred through the Department of Families, Fairness, and Housing. In a supportive, learning environment, CIAO case workers walk alongside young people to enhance their living skills in a safe, nurturing environment. The role is flexible and adaptive, and includes tasks such as assembling furniture, transporting clients to appointments, and utilising the Advantaged Thinking framework to coach young people to achieve their goals. Case Workers provide supports and services to young people transitioning to independent living from Out of Home Care services.

Youth-Centred Support

• Provide outreach support to young people in the Out-of-Home Care system who have experienced trauma and exhibit a range of complex and diverse behaviours.
• Provide culturally safe responses and personalised service to young people based on their unique circumstances and needs.

Case Management 

• Collaborate with external and internal stakeholders, within a multi-disciplinary framework, to enhance service delivery to young people.
• Develop, implement, and review assessments, care plans, safety plans, and behaviour support plans with the goal of promoting self-efficacy and independence.
• Review referrals and support the admission process for young people in conjunction with the Team Leader.
• Champion trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and inclusive approaches to working within the team, co-managing clients and supporting other colleagues in providing quality supports to highly complex young people.

Quality

• Participate in the review and evaluation of the service and in the development of innovative opportunities for the enhancement and expansion of the program.
• Uphold the voice of the young people in care in decision-making, including promoting client participation and co-design.
• Maintain a client information database as required by funding bodies and Melbourne City Mission to ensure quality record keeping.
• Adhere to incident management, crisis response, and client complaint processes and procedures with an approach of promoting healing.

Skills and experience

Essential:

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Community, Social Work or Youth Work
• Demonstrated knowledge of adolescent development
• Experience and understanding of service systems, relevant legislation and practice including Child Protection, disability, drug and alcohol, physical well-being, housing, and mental health services
• Ability to intensively case manage clients who have experienced the OOHC system
• Ability to establish and maintain cohesive working relationships with a broad range of networks
• High level of communication skills, including technological competency
• Valid Australian driver’s license
• Working with Children Check

Please refer to the position description attached for the full duties and key selection criteria.

How to Apply

For more information, including a position description, closing date and how to apply, please click “apply  now” to be redirected to our website.

For more details or assistance with application submission please email: [email protected] using the subject line: Case Worker enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Applicants will be required to undergo a pre-employment safety screening process as part of the MCM selection process. Appointments to MCM roles will be subject to the following safety screening checks (as applicable to the role): National (and International if applicable) Police Check (which includes Proof of Identity Check), Victorian Employee Working with Children Check, Qualification Verification Check, Employment History Check, NDIS Worker Screening Check, Right to Work in Australia and current and valid driver licence. All costs associated with safety checks (except National Police Check) will be at applicants’ expense.

Applicants will also be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination status as part of their application process.

Our commitment to diversity

At HHA/MCM, we embrace differences in gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, religion and sexual orientation. We know that diversity and inclusion help us to attract, recruit, engage and retain a team of talented people. If you require specific support to apply for this position, please advise the recruiting manager whose contact details are listed in the advertisement. We will work with you to identify the best way to assist you.

Our commitment to safety

HHA/MCM is committed to the safety of its clients and employees, taking a zero-tolerance approach to violence within the workplace and abuse, including child abuse and abuse of people with disability. All employees are required to comply with the Child Safe Standards.