We are seeking passionate and enthusiastic mental health support workers at Donna Zander and Associates.

Come join with us and be part of one of the most progressive and ethical social work private practices in Australia. You will feel valued as part of our dedicated team who really care about people and you will be supported to deliver a trauma informed therapeutic approach to care in the community we serve!

WHO ARE WE?

We are a private mental health social work practice that is grounded in expert knowledge and skill interwoven with the art of intuition and a wisdom that can be relied upon!

Donna Zander & Associates draws its inspiration from the capacity for change and growth with the metamorphosis of the butterfly. We believe that for every question or problem we experience, we have the capacity for creative resolution within ourselves and within our communities. Donna Zander and Associates provides therapeutic trauma informed care to people, couples and families of all ages. Our focus is to create caring communities where people can feel safe, form meaningful relationships and improve the quality of their lives.

Our goals include:

• Provision of high-quality counselling, therapy and support services for those in the community, serving to develop a responsive and effective positive change for people who use our services.
• To empower individuals, couples and families with knowledge, skills and resources thereby enabling them to better advocate for their needs with relevant stakeholders in their general community.
• Encouragement of discussion and debate leading to a greater understanding of the value of listening to the community we serve.

Donna Zander is the Director of Donna Zander & Associates. Donna is a mental health social worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and has extensive experience in trauma, child abuse and family violence and working therapeutically with children, women and families.

Donna has worked in this field for over 30 years, both as a professional and a volunteer (having been a foster carer and a local government politician). She is an accomplished practitioner-trainer advocate. Donna is a member of the Australian Psychological Society, Australasian Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, the Australasian Pacific Play Therapy Association and the Australian Child & Adolescent Trauma, Loss and Grief Network.

Donna has presented on national and international media conferences in Canada, Israel, Fiji and Bouganville on young people's health, family violence, couples therapy, child abuse and homicide. Her reports documenting action research and innovative young people's advocacy and health projects in the 90's are still in use at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) today as is the innovative organisation Western Young People's Independent Network Inc. that she was the catalyst for developing.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The purpose of this role is to assist & support people in their own homes and community to develop skills and abilities to gain independence to complete day to day tasks. The Mental Health Support Worker positions focus on assisting participants to meet the goals within their individualised NDIS plans.

The NDIS aims to provide people with choice and control over how, when and where those supports are provided. Our goal is to enable rather than to 'do', to help promote independence, development and confidence. Our success will enable them to have the voice and choice to thrive in their lives and local communities. Providing outreach support to NDIS participants will be your main role in various locations in metropolitan Melbourne, with support and training from the clinical team.

Your duties include:

• Provide 1:1 trauma informed mental health support work to people that we work with, in their own home and community settings. This can include:
  • teaching independent living skills which can include cleaning and assistance with personal hygiene or prompting self care
  • attending appointments with the people we work with
  • grocery shopping and accessing the community and services for support (such as connecting with local food share)

• Engage with the people we work with in a traumatic informed manner and develop trusting and professional relationships
• Provide accurate and timely case notes which complies with organisational standards.
• Meet each person’s individual needs according to their established therapy and support plan

ABOUT YOU:

• You should be an empathetic and pragmatic thinker and be able to work both independently and within a team environment
• Want to make a difference in the lives of others
• You are open to being challenged and are able to consider different views and opinions
• You are open to learning and working in an attachment and trauma informed practice
• You have the ability to stay calm in emotionally challenging situations
• You are committed to personal and professional development
• Understanding and experience working in a social determinants framework and in working with vulnerable and marginalised people and communities. (Preferred)

YOUR IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Hold a current Working with Children Check
• National Criminal Records check
• Hold a valid Victorian driver's license (preferred)
• A tertiary or other qualification, or experience in a related field (Preferred)
• All candidates require Australian working rights.

This position is considered authorised work and subject to mandatory Covid-19 vaccination and safety requirements. You will be asked about your vaccination or exemption status and any accompanying evidence should your application proceed.

Please feel free to visit our website.

If you believe you have the ability to make a difference in this rewarding role, Apply today!

A position description is attached.