• Position: Alcohol & Other Drugs Residential Support Worker
• Program Area: SHARC Recovery Support Services (RSS)
• Duration of the position: 4 days per week, 12 months contract
• Responsible to: Manager: Residential Peer Programs

Introduction to SHARC

SHARC—The Self Help Addiction Resource Centre—is a community based service that offers clients a combination of mutual self-help, social support and professional therapeutic approaches.

SHARC’s programs include supported accommodation services for young people and adults, help for families affected by drug-use problems and advocacy services for people who use drug treatment services.

SHARC provides a positive, supportive, and productive work environment that maximises staff’s opportunities for self-responsibility, mutual support and participation.

Position overview:

SHARC is inviting enthusiastic, qualified and experienced people to apply to join our RSS team as a Support Worker.

This position involves working as part of a small dynamic team, providing drug and alcohol recovery support services for people aged 16 to 25 and assisting clients of the other SHARC supported accommodation services when required.

RSS resident support and care is provided within a peer support framework, enabling young people to live independently within a safe, drug-free, home-like environment.

The Support Worker completes comprehensive assessments, manages a case load, facilitates groups, provides information to families of residents and liaises with relevant external agencies and stakeholders. The person needs to understand the current models of AOD care and treatment including the nature and value of peer support.

Key result areas:

The successful candidate will:

• participate in the development, delivery and evaluation of an effective and credible recovery support service
• develop, adapt and apply mutual self-help and peer support therapeutic approaches for a broad range of drug related problems
• become familiar with, and adhere to, SHARC organisational policies and procedures
• provide a range of services to young people with complex problems related to their use of alcohol and other drugs including:
• • assessment of young people who may have a range of complex needs
  • provision of induction and support for people as they transition into the service
  • management of a case load to assist key-clients to identify their needs and goals, develop recovery plans and review these plans, and offer assistance throughout their engagement with the service
  • provision of therapeutic interventions for young people and their families
  • facilitation of groups and other activities
  • participation in bi-annual wilderness camps co-managed with The Outdoor Experience
  • entering accurate client-related data into relevant data bases and participation in the analysis of such data
  • development of exit plans and provision of assistance to clients going through these processes

• • provide information and referral information to people when appropriate
  • maintain records of activities undertaken in this position and write reports as requested
  • adhere to procedures relating to direct care services, data collection and financial management
• establish and maintain appropriate consultative networks and other collaborative links with key stakeholders and external agencies such as transitional housing managers, social security services and other service providers on matters of coordinating services for RSS residents
• attend and participate in appropriate program and organisational working groups/committees
• participate in the overall development of RSS and the other SHARC supported accommodation services

Key selection criteria:

1. Knowledge and experience in the provision of drug and alcohol care services for young people for a wide range of drug related problems
2. Knowledge of contemporary treatment practices in the alcohol and drug field including self-help/peer support therapeutic approaches
3. Empathic understanding of the issues surrounding chronic and dependent drug use
4. Demonstrated understanding of care planning and care coordination approaches
5. Demonstrated experience with assessment and recovery planning
6. Demonstrated experience with group and other activity facilitation
7. Demonstrated expertise with case note, professional letter and report writing
8. Effective communication, liaison and networking skills
9. Effective data entry skills
10. Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a team setting

Essential:

1. Relevant qualification in the health, social or behavioural sciences field
2. At least 2 years of experience working in the alcohol and other drugs sector

Desirable:

1. A tertiary qualification in the health, social or behavioural sciences field

Other requirements:

• A current Victorian driver’s license

• The successful applicant will be required to undergo a criminal records check and have a current Working with Children card

• The successful applicant will be required to provide a copy of their vaccination certificate

To apply click Apply Now and follow the instructions.

For any queries please contact Nicole Thompson, Manager Peer Residential Programs on 0401 754 477.

A position description is attached.