Youth Homelessness Case Worker (2 Roles - Full Time And Part Time)

About Our Organisation:

Youth Off The Streets is a not-for-profit youth organisation that provides safety, support and opportunities for young people to build a positive future. We offer crisis accommodation and housing services, alternative high school education, alcohol and other drugs counselling, youth justice support, life skills and employment programs, cultural support and community engagement, among other services. We focus on early interventions that empower young people and strengthen communities.

The Role:

Youth Support Services (YSS) - The Inner West Youth Support Services (IWYHS) is a partnership between Youth Off The Streets, Wesley Mission and YWCA that provides support to young people aged 16-25 years living in the Inner West who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. We offer a full continuum of care for young people that includes homelessness and housing services, alcohol and other drugs supports, youth justice, outreach activities, living skills and capacity building, training and employment, among other services. We focus on strengths-based strategies and positive pathways that empower young people to build a better future for themselves and strengthen their communities.

The main function of the Case Worker is to undertake case management activities with Young People who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and presenting with varying degrees of need. 

The role has the ability to understand and follow the needs complexity matrix and service guidelines in order to determine the type of response required. The Case Worker will translate these needs into case plans that provide timely solutions and will implement support approaches that are culturally appropriate and promote the client’s empowerment, autonomy, dignity and independence. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain program caseloads within negotiated timeframes. 
• Understand clients’ needs assessment to identify and assist in setting goals and objectives that form case plans.
• Provide information, advice, and referral to clients, linking Young People to services that meet their needs.
• Develop and deliver group programs and initiatives that will encourage Young People to meet goals and connect with peers.
• Maintain and prepare reports on casework statistics and outcomes. 
• Develop and maintain relationships with local interagency and referral and support networks, including government, services, business and community. 
• Work with Team Leader on promoting YOTS service to set up inbound and outbound referral pathways.
• Promote youth consultation and Participation in internal and external meetings and forums. 
• Exercise due diligence to prevent young people being exposed to harm
• Work in collaboration with team leader to review and evaluate activities and performance to ensure continuous improvement and referral of Young People with complex needs to specialised intensive case management.
• Commitment to completion of annual mandatory training modules 

Skills and knowledge:

• Demonstrated experience and sound knowledge of case management theory, best practice principles, and case coordination.
• Ability to utilise referral pathways; apply trauma- and developmentally informed and strengths-based approaches to achieve outcomes.
• Ability to understand issues faced by Young People and their families, as well formulating ways to assist and support.
• Capacity to work respectfully and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people of diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to collect, document, evaluate and provide detailed reports on tasks, service delivery and outcomes.
• Strong communication skills, including written and verbal presentation skills, diplomatic and effective liaison, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated planning, organisational, and solid time management skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours in community outreach as required.
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the principles that underpin a child safe organisation including mandatory child protection procedures.
• Have an understanding of adolescent development.
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills 
• Ability to build relationships and act with sensitivity and understanding.
• Ability to apply therapeutic crisis intervention principles in crisis situations. 
• Commitment to continual professional development

Requirements:

Qualification & Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, behavioural science, social science or similar or Diploma with relevant experience
• At least 1 years’ experience in case management of young people

What we can offer you:

• A supportive team environment
• Career progression and development pathways
• EAP for yourself and your family
• Salary packaging up to $15,900
• Rewards and benefits program

Please ensure you enclose a copy of your resume with your contact details and cover letter addressing the essential criteria (2 pages maximum). 

At Youth Off The Streets, diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our DNA. Together, we continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our people. It fuels our innovation and connects us closer to our customers and the communities we serve.

Youth off The Streets is an EEO Employer and a child safe organisation. YOTS is committed to providing a safe environment where all children and young people are treated with respect and are protected from harm. We have zero tolerance for child abuse.

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 successful candidate will be requested to submit applications for a NSW Working With Children Check and Police Check. You will also be required to have a valid Australian Drivers Licence and unrestricted Australian working rights.

We encourage people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander to apply for this position.