• Competitive Salary plus NFP Salary Packaging Options
• Permanent Full Time Role
• Merrylands location

The Organisation

Youth Off The Streets is a non-denominational community organisation working for disadvantaged young people who may be homeless, drug dependent and/or recovering from abuse. Youth Off The Streets supports these young people as they work to turn their lives around and overcome immense personal trauma such as neglect, physical, psychological and/or emotional abuse. It is our goal that these young people will leave our care drug free, with a high school education, living skills and a full-time or part-time job in hand.

The Program

The Dunlea Alcohol and Other Drug Youth Service is a 3-month voluntary Day program, and was established to help young people take control of their drug use, by providing family, community, and mental health support services. Our client group is aged between 13-19 years.

The Role

Reporting to the Team Leader, you will be responsible for providing assessments and counselling services to referred clients who are experiencing alcohol and other drugs concerns.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Initiate and provide opportunities for young people to engage in therapeutic counselling, that supports the reduction of AOD use, providing early intervention initiatives and strategies
• Provide assessment, and counselling to young people and/or family members through group and individual therapeutic initiatives

• Provide telephone support to young people and their families
• Identify when it is appropriate for young people to be referred to other specialists or agencies

• Monitor and measure a young person’s progress and assist in accordance with program policies and Counselling Therapeutic Strategies
• Maintain up-to-date documentation and prepare client and activity reports as required for internal and external purposes
• Meet all internal and external reporting requirements including updating data base system

• Attend Case Conferences with referring agencies as required

• Facilitate workshops for young people and their families

• Communicate with other Dunlea staff in relation to the Young People and their families while maintaining a high level of confidentiality
• Conduct environmental risk assessments

• Follow counselling, case management principles and procedures
• Participate in ongoing evaluation, review and quality improvement of program
• Identify needs and attend training as required
• Perform any other necessary tasks as directed
• Adhere to the policies and procedures of YOTS and best practice standards
• Commitment to completion of annual mandatory training modules
• Exercise due diligence to prevent young people being exposed to harm

Essential criteria, including but not limited to:

• Tertiary qualifications in social work, counselling or a relevant field
• Ability to provide therapeutic counselling and support within a 3-month schedule

• Demonstrated experience and sound knowledge of case management theory, best practice principles, case coordination and adolescent development
• Knowledge of harm minimisation / Crisis and Early Intervention
• Demonstrated understanding of therapeutic and intervention strategies
• Experience working with disengaged & vulnerable young people who are impacted by AOD Issues

• Demonstrated ability to provide Clinical Referrals and external support
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation pertaining to young people and their families
• Demonstrated experience in community development and Organisational networking
• Valid NSW Driver License

• Demonstrated ability working with Culturally Appropriate Linguistically Diverse (CALD) clients
• Highly developed communication skills, both written and verbal
• Willing to contribute and work in a small team environment
• Exceptional time management
• Strong knowledge of childhood trauma and mental health
• Demonstrate knowledge of a child safe organisations including mandatory child protection procedures

Desirable criteria, including but not limited to:

• Relevant postgraduate qualifications
• Knowledge and familiarity of the Western Sydney Area

• Alcohol and Other Drugs specific knowledge
• Knowledge of motivational interviewing principles and application

This is a rare opportunity to join a passionate and high profile not for profit organisation that values the current youth of today and the youth of tomorrow.

The Person:

The successful candidate will have a desire to work within a dedicated team. You would also need to possess the motivation to participate in a role that offers ever-changing activities and challenges. You will work closely with a supportive team to achieve great results. You will have a team focus and have the confidence to communicate effectively with a range of diverse individuals. You will have a ‘can do’ attitude and enjoy working together to achieve the desired outcomes of the organisation.

If you are excited by a challenge and have a strong focus on delivering quality services, we would like to hear from you.

Recruiters need not make contact.