Position Summary

The High Risk Accommodation Response (HRAR) Support Worker position is based at Barkly Street, Brunswick and Holmes Street, Northcote Older Persons High Rise Public Housing Estates. The HRAR program is established through funding by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services to prevent, prepare for and respond early to coronavirus (COVID-19 infection, to minimise transmission in high risk, share facilities accommodation. The HRAR is a model of service that enables the rapid delivery of prevention, preparedness and outbreak response activities by appropriately skilled professionals within a robust governance framework. It works to ensure appropriate public health measures are in place to protect the health and wellbeing of residents and that adequate, culturally appropriate and accessible services and supports (including health and social services, food and essential supplies) and community engagement strategies are available to residents as required.

The Low Cost Accommodation Support Program at Holmes Street, Northcote is staffed by two full-time Outreach Case Managers. These workers are supported by a Program Manager who shares their time between Holmes Street and the Brunswick High Rise Estate. Collaborative work is essential to the success of the program. Residents engagement with the program is voluntary. All residents at Barkly Street and Holmes Street Older Persons Public Housing Estate are over 55 years old.

The core functions of the HRAR Support Worker are:

Prevention and preparedness – including health promotion, supporting facilities and residents to be aware of high risk areas and actions, supporting facilities providers to improve infection prevention and control and outbreak management plans, active case finding and COVID positive case and close contact management (where an outbreak has not been declared), and

In the event of an outbreak:

Outbreak management – participating in an Outbreak Management Team (led by DHHS) and providing community engagement, on-site testing, case and contact management (where needed), ongoing assessment of transmission and compliance risks and facilitating food, material aid and broader health and social care for residents with complex needs.

Ensure appropriate public health measures are in place to proactively reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission and protect the health and wellbeing of residents across public housing.

Ensure adequate, culturally appropriate and accessible service supports (including health and social services, food and essential supplies and community engagement strategies are in place to create COVID-safe environments and communities and support any COVID-19 outbreaks.

Establish a clear operating model for the delivery of these services, with clearly defined responsibilities between agencies involved.

For more information about the position please contact: Shirley Spooner 0412 478 152. Additional information about Merri Outreach Support Service can be found on the website: www.merri.org.au.