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Youth Case Manager

Wombat Housing Support Services

About Wombat

Wombat Housing Support Services is one of the largest providers of housing and support services to people in the Western Metro Region. It is a community-based organisation managed by a Board. 

The culture of Wombat is about:

  • Integrating new programs and ideas
  • Providing services that are accessible, transparent, fair & equitable
  • Being sensitive to the needs of diverse cultural & language groups
  • Recognising the right of all age groups to access appropriate services, including children, young people and older people
  • Cross program service delivery
  • Embracing and generating change that is positive
  • Accountability, inquiry and reflection
  • Hearing and accounting for different views
  • A workforce representing diversity in experience, age and ability
  • Valuing staff and encouraging wellbeing
  • Providing a flexible and supportive work environment.

Wombat’s existing services include:

  • Support & Advocacy for social housing tenants
  • Support programs for Department of Human Services youth clients
  • Transitional support services for Families, Single People and Youth
  • Support program for young people on parole & Leaving Care

Wombat is also the auspice for the Western Homelessness Networker and managers the LGBTI+ capacity-building project and Continuing Care Living skills project.

About the Youth Program

Wombat’s Youth Program has been providing housing support to young people in Melbourne’s inner west for over 30 years. The program employs two workers and provides case managed support to assist young people to develop the skills needed to manage independent living in private rental, in public housing or with their families.

Wombat’s Youth Program utilises transitional housing properties managed by Unison Community Housing. Some of the properties are provided on a share basis although the program does have some capacity to house young families. The Youth Program works with young people that are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

Support may be provided for up to eighteen months however this can vary depending on the availability of appropriate exit options and the young person’s education & training status. Young people must be capable of independent living (with support from the program) and must have an avenue for exiting the program. The program also assists young people on an outreach basis to obtain and maintain accommodation. All clients are managed using Wombat’s case management procedures and practices. Referrals to the program are via the local access point, Unison in Footscray.

It is common for young people using Wombat’s services to have had a history of housing instability and homelessness. The program works with clients to identify and address the issues that are contributing to housing instability, these issues are often complex and interwoven. The program aims to link young people into appropriate specialist supports and to assist them achieve their long-term housing goals.

About the Position

With the support of the Team Leader, General Manager and program team, the Youth Case Managers play a critical role in the development and delivery of effective support services to young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Melbourne’s inner west.

Wombat’s Youth Case Managers deliver services on an outreach basis from a single site in Melrose St, North Melbourne. The Youth Case Managers are expected to provide direct service delivery within a case management model.

The position also participates in Initial Response/short term response, which provides short term targeted support to people on the waiting list at the Unison access point in Footscray.

Reporting and Accountability

The Youth Case Managers are accountable to the Wombat’s Executive Officer via the General Manager. The Team Leader oversees general program operations and provides day-to-day guidance to case managers. 

Support and Supervision

The Youth Case Managers will participate in regular program and support meetings facilitated by the Team Leader, and supervision with the Team Leader. Bi-monthly external supervision is provided to the team as is secondary consultation. Informal support and supervision is encouraged and forms a major part of the support and supervision structure.

Duties

Commensurate with SCHADS Level 5, workers are expected to adhere to established work practices however they will on occasion be required to exercise initiative and judgement and to be involved in service planning and co-ordination.

The role will involve performing the following duties in accordance with the philosophy, policies, work practices and protocols of Wombat Housing Support Services: (including Codes of Conduct see below)

  • To undertake assessments of young people entering the program
  • To provide one on one support to young people
  • To develop individual case plans with service users using Wombat’s case management model
  • To provide appropriate referrals to specialist support services
  • To provide counseling, crisis intervention and conflict resolution where appropriate
  • To provide housing related information and advocacy
  • To develop and disseminate information and resource material to young people
  • To network with other agencies
  • To contribute to the maintenance of information, data and recording systems
  • To prepare written reports as required
  • To contribute to the development of Wombat Housing & Support Services policies, programs and procedures (including participation in Staff Working Groups)
  • Other duties as directed by the EO. 

The Conditions 

The position is for a fixed term expiring end March 2021

The Position is 1eft (38 hours per week).

Salary: SCHADS award level 5. Salary sacrificing is available, within the limit of the law.

Position reports to: Executive officer.

Conditions: As per the Wombat EBA 2016, including:

  • Five weeks paid annual recreation leave.
  • Grace & Favour days between Christmas and New Year.

A Probationary Period of 3 months will apply. 

Appointment is subject to a satisfactory Police Check and Working with Children Check. In the event that a candidate has resided overseas for more than one year in the preceding 10 years, an International Police check will be required prior to commencing work

Key Selection Criteria  

  • Substantial experience working with young people in crisis, including young people with challenging behaviours
  • Experience in a relevant position in the Community Sector
  • Working knowledge of the housing & support system and the causal factors of homelessness
  • Demonstrated skill in case management tasks, assessment and the development of case plans
  • Experience in individual case advocacy requiring excellent verbal communication and writing skills
  • Ability and commitment to communicate and engage with people from diverse backgrounds including cultural, language, age and other experiences.
  • Ability to communicate with young people in a constructive and non-judgmental manner
  • Ability to work as part of a team and to be accountable as an individual worker
  • Basic competencies appropriate to the conduct of the position such as computer literacy, driver’s licence and data collection

A Position Description is attached.

How to apply

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