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We are looking for compassionate people who share our mission and values, if you have the passion and drive to commit yourself to a challenging and rewarding role; we invite you to review our current vacancies.

About Us

The Salvation Army is one of Australia’s largest and most-loved charities, helping thousands of Australians every year find hope in the midst of all kinds of personal hardship. The Salvation Army offers the opportunity to use your professional skills and expertise to make a real difference in the lives of people who need help most.

This is an intake and assessment role which provides assistance, information and advice to individuals and families experiencing housing crisis as a result of homelessness or impending homelessness.

As the first point of contact for our homelessness services the position performs an important role in responding sensitively to the needs of people who are often experiencing personal crises.

About the Role:

Intake and Assessment

• Provide information, referral, support and advocacy that responds appropriately to people presenting in crisis.
• Complete detailed intake and assessments of clients in person and over the phone. Crisis intervention strategies, including appropriate risk assessments, are implemented to respond to the crisis needs of program clients.
• Strength-based and solutions-focused approaches are employed to jointly develop strategies with program clients to achieve identified outcomes.
• A good working knowledge of accommodation and support options for people in housing crisis is maintained. Service user needs are assessed according to Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) program guidelines.

Service Delivery

• Ensure work practices reflect SalvoConnect and The Salvation Army (TSA) service delivery policy and procedures.
• Data collection, recording and reporting is accurately completed according to DHHS and TSA policy.
• Effective links are developed and maintained with relevant agencies, services and businesses. Service user's eligibility for Housing Establishment Funds is assessed in accordance with DHHS guidelines and SalvoConnect Policy & Procedures, and funds are distributed accordingly.

Other

Active participation as part of the Warrnambool homelessness team and broader SalvoConnect Network. Supervision and performance reviews are prepared for and actively attended. Work, Health Safety (WHS) is followed according to policy, procedures and legislative requirements, including:

• Incident reports are recorded and reported in line with DHHS and Salvation Army (TSA) requirements.
• Any identified risks are reported and mitigated.
• Other duties are performed when requested, providing they are within the scope of this position.

This position is .56 EFT (21.5 hrs per week) and is located at SalvoConnect in Warrnambool. The role is shared with another Initial Assessment & Planning worker, who also works 21.5 hrs per week. The position sits within a homelessness services team that also includes three housing support case managers and a Private Rental Broker.

The position reports to the Southwest Team Leader.

About You:

• Tertiary qualification and/or experience in the welfare sector preferred.
• Ability to understand and respond to the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
• Demonstrates knowledge of homelessness including context, causes, issues, philosophies and legislation.
• Demonstrates a basic awareness/knowledge of the following issues and how they interrelate with and impact on an individual's presenting need:
  • Ability to understand and respond to the needs of individuals experiencing Alcohol and Other Drugs issues.
  • Understands and recognises the signs, symptoms and behaviours of mental health issues.
  • Understands and applies Family and Domestic Violence models, approaches, theories and practices when dealing with clients.