Youth Refuge Worker

There are four Youth Refuges within Melbourne City Mission – Stopover; WRAP – Western Region Accommodation Program; Iramoo and Vicky’s Place. All these four supported crisis accommodation services are for young people aged 16 to 24.

Melbourne City Mission Youth Refuges aim to provide safe, secure short-term accommodation for young people 16 – 24 years of age experiencing homelessness and assist them in moving toward independent living. The service provides accommodation, support, counselling, information and assistance to young people based on their needs (e.g. Centrelink, health and legal services) and support in finding suitable accommodation options.

The Refuge programs work within MCM’s Healing Oriented Framework utilising strength-based approaches with a strong focus on assisting young people to build their existing skills and develop their own capabilities.

The Youth Refuge Worker provides structured support to young people who are accommodated at the Refuge in accordance with DFFH and MCM guidelines and offers support to residents in finding appropriate accommodation and support services suitable to needs.

We are looking for someone who can:

• Provide structured support, assessment and referral to young people and their children.
• Provide information to young people to assist them to understand themselves, issues impacting on their homelessness, their rights and the services and supports available to assist them.
• Provide assistance to access appropriate accommodation options particularly youth housing, family reconciliation, private rental and public housing.
• Ensure services are delivered within the framework of MCM’s policies and procedures, legislative requirements, and meet the relevant service standards.
• Liaise and work cooperatively with housing and other human service agencies within the region to provide homeless young people an appropriate support service.

• Diverse and inclusive organisation
• Attractive Salary Packaging benefits
• Supportive learning and development environment
• Culture of continuous improvement

• Tertiary qualifications in Social Work, Youth Work, or related community services field (Diploma with demonstrated experience minimum).
• Strong ability to actively and assertively engage young people with complex needs, particularly in a residential environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and as part of a team.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills encompassing interpersonal, verbal and writen, and negotiation skills.
• Strong case management skills, completing assessments and client goal planning.
• Strong organisational, time management and computer skills.
• Availability to work shift work including weekends and solo sleepover shifts as part of a four-week roster cycle.
• An understanding of the requirements for ensuring child safety.

• National Police check
• Working with Children check
• Valid Victorian Drivers license
• Right to Work in Australia

Applications for this role close: 21 April 2024, so please apply early. Please include your current resume and cover letter.
Please review the position description to understand more about the role and responsibilities. For assistance with your application please email: ***********@mcm.org.au

MCM is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to safety. MCM embraces differences because we know that diversity and inclusion help us to attract, recruit, engage and retain talented people. 
We are a leading not-for profit-for-purpose organisation that offer a broad range of services in Early Years, Disability, Homelessness, Palliative Care and Education.

MCM is committed to the safety of its clients and employees, taking a zero-tolerance approach to violence within the workplace and abuse, including child abuse and abuse of people with disability. All employees are required to comply with the Child Safe Standards.

At MCM, we embrace differences in gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, religion and sexual orientation. We know that diversity and inclusion helps us to attract, recruit, engage and retain a team of talented people.