Caseworker Youth Homelessness Support

The Youth Homelessness Support (YHS) Program assists young people between the age of 16 – 25 years who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness within the Barwon region. The YHS Caseworker supports young people to address key areas such as education, employment and connection to family and community. The overarching aim is to focus on capacity building and independent living skills to assist in pathways that will lead to productive healthy and safe lives.

The YHS Caseworker will work alongside an integrated team of Youth Services professionals and will provide intensive case management and assertive outreach. They will be responsible for delivering high quality, innovative and evidenced based interventions to support young people and their families to address risk factors leading to Youth Homelessness, and work towards sustainable ongoing housing.

The key objectives of this role are:

• Provide assertive outreach to young people and their families and develop meaningful engagement.
• Assess the holistic needs of young people and their families – with a particular focus on the barriers to affordable, safe, and sustainable housing.
• Establishing a responsive care team, and development of a care plan specific to each young person’s unique needs and barriers to stable housing such as mental health, AOD, and family violence.
• Provide a range of tailored interventions focused on capacity building, positive behaviour changes and connection.
• Develops and maintains professional relationships with internal/external key stake holders.

• Based in Colac
• Full-time position, working 38 hours per week
• Fixed term to 30 June 2025
• $94,077 p/a + Super + Salary Packaging
• To view the Position Description, please click here

• Flexible working options
• Meli is a not-for-profit organisation, so you can salary package up to $15,900 each Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) year for general living expenses
• A workplace passionate about diversity and inclusion with Employee Led inclusion working groups open to all employees
• Extensive learning & development opportunities and pathways for career progression
• Employee Assistance Program – independent confidential counselling service
• A dynamic culture of dedicated, passionate and professional team members
• Paid parental leave program, in addition to the government parental leave scheme
• Ability to purchase up to 4 weeks additional leave

• Qualification or equivalent in Youth, Social Work or Community Welfare (Diploma+) and experience in client services functions.
• Ability to form a sound ecological perspective of client circumstances, with minimal information to rapidly determine required support using the appropriate tools.
• Understanding of the purpose and expectations of the Victorian Child Safe Standards and demonstrated commitment to contributing to a child safe organisation in both practice and culture.

• Applicants must address each of the Qualifications, Skills and Experience criteria outlined in the following questionnaire and provide a current Résumé in order to be considered.
• Successful applicants will be required to provide a current Working with Children Check and undergo a National Police Check prior to commencement.
• Meli reserves the right to interview and appoint before the closing date of this position, so please don’t delay in applying.

For more information about the position please contact Lucy Dodemaide, Coordinator Housing and Homelessness, on 0493 681 ***.

Meli is committed to providing a child safe environment. We have zero tolerance of any abuse or maltreatment of children.

Meli values and celebrates diversity and are working to create a team of people who reflect the diverse community we support. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, LGBTQIA+, culturally diverse people, those living with a disability, and those looking to return to the workforce following a break in their career are encouraged to apply for our roles. 

If we can assist you with any reasonable adjustments in order to submit your application for this role, please contact the Recruitment team via email at ***********@meli.org.au

Applications close 9:00am Monday 25 March 2024

V.I.D 2401177