About Better Futures

Better Futures key workers facilitate support to care leavers, engaging with young people and their support networks, including case managers and care teams early in their transition from care. Utilising the Advantaged Thinking model across five service offers, housing and living skills, education, employment health and wellbeing and community connections young people are provided with levels of support which flex up and down according to their needs, existing support networks and the transition goals they have identified.

Better Futures is a part of the broader Leaving Care response provided to young people who are or were in Out of Home Care funded by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) across the Northern Metro, Hume Moreland and Western Melbourne Brimbank Melton areas.

Key Responsibilities

Better Futures aims to engage earlier with care leavers, supporting them to have an active voice in the transition planning and providing access to brokerage and support to young people transitioning from care in the Northern and Western Metro area as often as required up until the age of 21.

The Intake Worker provides support and referrals to specialist services in the areas of counselling, accommodation, employment and training, education, health and well-being and social and family relationships. 

Additionally, the role offers support to young people transitioning from care who have been approved for rental subsidies under the Homestretch program that sits alongside the Better Futures service.

About You

•  You have a passion for working with young people and delivering meaningful outcomes.
• A tertiary qualification in Youth Work, Social Work or associated human service field are deemed essential. 
• Demonstrated experience in working with young people who have experienced out of home care is an advantage.
• Knowledge of Housing systems including Private rental, Social Housing and Homelessness. A knowledge of and demonstrated ability to liaise with Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Services Australia and other relevant government and non-government services that young people may utilise in relation to incomes, physical and mental health, legal, employment, education and training resources.

The Benefits

• Additional salary packaging available for meals/accommodation.
• Flexible work arrangements and generous leave conditions.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), including access for staff members’ immediate family.

How to Apply

Applications including resume and cover letter addressing your suitability for the position to be submitted via the Apply Now link. 

Queries to Carmelita Davies - Team Leader, Better Futures on 0427 827 945 .

Please Note; the successful applicant will be subject to comprehensive reference and background checking prior to employment, including a Working with Children Check and National Police Check and International Police check if required and Victorian Carer Register clearance if applicable. 

Berry Street is committed to being a child safe, child friendly and child empowering organisation. In everything we do we seek to protect children. We are committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children; children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds; children with a disability; children who identify as LGBTIQA+. We aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity and respect regardless of their cultural background, ability, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, spirituality or religion.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; people from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds and people with a disability are encouraged to apply.

A position description is attached.