Assertive Outreach Senior Practitioner

Brisbane Youth Service

Since 1977, Brisbane Youth Service (BYS) has worked to create new futures for vulnerable young people at risk of homelessness aged 12-25 years and their children.

This position leads Assertive Outreach strategies and delivery at BYS, working in close collaboration with a number of service providers including internal stakeholders and supports within the wider community.

This position directs and delivers assertive and persistent outreach to identify, engage, and work with young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, to achieve sustainable outcomes.

Employment Type & Hours

Full-time | 76 hours per fortnight [6-month contract, in line with current funding agreement]

Varied work-hours [Monday to Friday which may include early morning and night outreach from 6:00a.m. to 12:00 midnight].

Applicable shift allowances will apply.

Conditions

Level 5 - Social, Community, Home Care & Disabilities Services [SCHADS] Award 2010

• Generous salary packaging benefits with flexible work arrangements available
• 5.5 weeks annual leave per annum [pro-rata]
• Great team culture – incl. national Voice Project's 2022 Best Workplace Winner!

Selection Criteria:

In addition to submitting a resume or CV, applicants must address the selection criteria [below] in their cover letter to be considered for shortlisting.

Selection Criteria

1. Understanding of and commitment to BYS vision, objectives and practice framework
2. Experience of outreach with vulnerable young people from diverse backgrounds, and the ability to build trusting and positive relationships to deliver solution-focused crisis and early interventions
3. Highly developed skills in holistic assessments of a young person with complex needs, including risk assessments and safety planning
4. Strong communication and interpersonal skills to develop networks and collaborative relationships with a range of external providers and supports; and the ability to advocate effectively on behalf of young people
5. Ability to provide effective practice leadership to outreach workers and undertake risk assessments and safety planning
6. Strong organisational and planning skills and the demonstrated ability to work independently and prioritise and manage competing demands
7. Ability to provide practice support, supervision and debriefing to others

Education, Qualifications, Requirements [Mandatory]

• A tertiary qualification in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Social Sciences or comparable qualification OR substantial demonstrated experience in a related field
• Current Queensland driver’s license
• National Police Check Clearance
• Working with Children Suitability Card [Blue Card] / willingness to obtain a Blue Card prior to commencement
• Evidence of vaccination, immunity, or medical exemption for the following preventable diseases prior to commencement: Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella [Chicken Pox]; Pertussis [Whooping Cough]; and COVID-19
• Three relevant references, including most recent manager, if relevant

Skills & Experience

• Experience working with vulnerable young people
• Experience in a front-line service delivery setting (desirable)
• Experience working collaboratively with other agencies

Personal Attributes

• Personal drive and integrity and ability to stay calm under pressure
• Consultative and collaborative working attitude
• Flexible, initiative, collaborative, inclusive, respectful, ethical, accountable
• Commitment to a learning culture and ongoing professional development

Leadership

• Provide supervision to Assertive Outreach workers and ensure the delivery of safe and effective services in line with program guidelines and the BYS Practice Framework
• Experience in managing and mitigating operational risks in service delivery
• Engage in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) training to enhance safe work practices and build staff capability through regular training and support
• Lead use of the AVHTT (Australian Vulnerability to Homelessness Triage Tool) and participate in the Brisbane Zero Youth Coordination Group – facilitate regular meetings, maintain strong working relationships and utilise data to drive outcomes for young people experiencing homelessness
• Demonstrate leadership qualities such as ability to mentor, support and guide; provide debriefing [including incident debriefing] to colleagues, as required, and model the BYS core values of Respect, Optimism, Accountability and Resilience
• Plan and support team induction processes including practice mentoring and shadowing opportunities for new team members
• Use project management tools [Asana] to update project and prepare reports as required

Service Delivery

• Provide practice leadership to the Assertive Outreach team, driving and contributing to the delivery of a creative and flexible service for young people with complex needs and situations, who may be hard to engage or resistance to services
• Use the AVHTT in street based Assertive Outreach to identify and support young people and mentor/coach other staff in using the AVHTT.
• Develop networks and collaborative relationships with a range of external providers, organisations, agencies, hostels, other homelessness services, pharmacies, needle exchanges, housing providers, police, council and community groups who promote positive initiatives and outcomes for vulnerable young people
• Work collaboratively with internal teams and service providers to facilitate timely referrals and support young people to access housing, legal, physical and mental health support, education and employment, and engage with their community
• Actively attempt to re-engage vulnerable young people who have dropped out or have become detached from services using a range of evidence-based tools and techniques
• Support young people who decline structured services by helping to best-meet their needs through collaboration with external agencies
• Transport groups and individuals to appointments, meetings, and any other activities as required

People, Culture, Safety

• Contribute to a culture of respect, optimism, accountability and resilience in line with the organisation’s values
• Participate in regular supervision to monitor service delivery and evaluation and collaborate on high-risk planned support and self-care initiatives
• Provide effective supervision to team members and maintain supervision records in line with BYS policies
• Participate as a collaborative and supportive team member, contributing to the overall effectiveness of the team and outcomes for young people
• Participate in quality practice reviews, all-staff days, organisational planning and identify and participate in training and professional development opportunities
• Protect and promote the rights of children and young people, including making decisions compatible with the Human Rights Act 2019; and responding to and reporting suspicions and disclosures of abuse or harm
• Ensure a healthy and safe workplace for all by adhering to BYS Work Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy, Procedures and Practices
• Actively participate to deliver the BYS Reconciliation Action Plan [RAP] initiatives and measurable actions that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander equality across our organisation

Administration

• Undertake all administrative functions relating to the role and ensure accurate and timely records are created and maintained in accordance with relevant legislation and organisation policies
• Submit timesheets and leave requests accurately and on time on a fortnightly basis, in accordance with relevant legislation and organisational policy and procedure
• Collect and maintain accurate client data, to contribute to monitoring, evaluation and reporting on program performance
• Participate in both quantitative and qualitative data collection to support BYS continual quality improvement
• Undertake any other duties as required

Don’t meet all the Criteria?

At BYS, we actively promote diversity and inclusion and provide a supportive team environment for everyone. We do not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability or marital status.

Research shows that women and people from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds are less likely to apply for a position until they meet 100% of the criteria. So if you don’t have all the qualifications or experience required for the role, please consider applying for a position with us anyway. We encourage applications from minorities and are committed to our workforce reflecting the diversity of the young people that we support.

• 30% of the young people we support are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
• Almost 1 in 4 identify as LGBTIQAP+
• 11% are culturally and linguistically diverse

Interviews may take place progressively for successfully shortlisted applicants with an immediate start available. Closing: 9.00 am, Friday 19 January 2024.

Please visit our website for more information about working with BYS: https://brisyouth.org/

We look forward to hearing from you!