• Type of Position: Casual Employment
• Employed on a shift by shift basis each roster

Brief Description of Program

Fusion Youth Housing operates accommodates young people in housing crisis that are 15-21 years of age in Moorabbin. Young people experiencing housing crisis are accommodated for on average 6 weeks at a time.

The program provides supported accommodation meaning that young people are not just provided with a bed, but required to engage in various aspects of the program such as engaging with a caseworker and working towards agreed upon case plan, living skills program and other aspects of communal life such as respect for other residents.

The facility is staffed 24/7 with two workers on during workdays and one worker overnight and on weekends.

The refuge comprises of 6 units, 4 single and 2 double and can cater for 4 males and 4 females at a time. There is also an overnight or emergency bed. The building was designed to foster a community feel with the program being designed around an understanding of the importance of social capital.

Objective: For young people to become successful administrators of their own lives

Fusion’s Philosophy of support:

Fusion Youth Housing and Support works from a holistic framework, understanding that homelessness is not just the absence of a roof over one’s head. It is understood that all people have a need to be part of a wider network of support and contribution in any community. This service works on a model of self-determination and empowerment where the service user decides on the level and direction of support as part of a case management process. This may include a range of issues associated with homelessness and other risk factors.

From the commencement of support, the goal is to work towards the interdependence of the service user and to assist in establishing networks of support and care, both professional and community based to serve them in the future, helping them make a meaningful contribution to the community.

Role Description for Casual Refuge Worker

Scope: To provide support and supervision of young people whilst rostered on shift in line with their case plans and Fusion’s policies and principles. To work as part of a team to ensure consistency across the whole program including care for young people, maintenance of premises and administrative requirements. To be part of a trained casual relievers pool who are able to respond to fill a variety of shifts (predominantly night and weekend days) as per rostered. Relievers need to have a wide variety of availability and sometimes be available at short notice to fill shifts.

Terms of Position

Casual position and staff are employed on a shift-by-shift basis. Shifts comprise a combination of overnight shifts from 5pmpm-9am with a sleepover component and day shifts 8.30-5.30pm. During permanent staff absences for leave etc there may be increased shifts.

Rosters are organised 2 months at a time. However shifts may also be allocated at short notice due to permanent staff illness.

Your employment conditions are outlined in the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (MA00100) under the Fair Work Act 2009.

Brief Description of Role:

To provide supervision of young people who are residing in the refuge. This includes assisting them with living skills including chores, engaging them in positive time structuring activities, assisting with house hunting, monitoring interactions and behaviour, following up on tasks as instructed by caseworkers and ensuring a safe environment based on Fusions values and policies.

To complete administrative tasks such as updating the log, case notes, recording board payments. Completing staff tasks and ensuring the building is kept to a high standard of cleanliness.

Responsibilities

• To at all times whilst on shift carry out their responsibilities in a professional manner in line with Fusion’s code of conduct, values and policies to provide excellent support for the young people.
• To provide supervision and support for young people who are homeless and in need of emergency and short term accommodation.
• To interact with young people whilst on shift including drawing appropriate boundaries, engaging young people in positive time structuring, listening and mentoring.
• To resource young people with information about a range of suitable housing options.
• To provide a secure, supportive and stable environment for the young people whilst they remain at the refuge.
• To assist the young people in the development of shared and independent living skills.
• To encourage residents to take responsibility for their own behaviour applicable.
• To work as part of a team to ensure consistency and quality service delivery.

Tasks

• To provide for the direct needs of and the general supervision of the residents of an evening/day. Ensuring when you on shift you are always accessible to the young people.
• To work as part of a team and communicate with peers and management.
• To follow all policies and procedures of Fusion Youth Housing and in line with the agency values and codes of conduct.
• To assist residents in preparation of the evening meal and ensure that cleanup and other rostered young people chores are completed.
• To provide information and referral over the phone.
• To complete administration task applicable to shift in an appropriate manner.
• To make timely entries in service users case notes and day log.
• To complete “Staff daily tasks” which are cleaning tasks as applicable to shift. To also use their initiative to help keep the refuge in a clean and tidy condition at all times.
• To use initiative to engage in other helpful tasks such as cleaning things not on list when there is down time on shift.
• To maintain, where appropriate, communications and negotiations with family, other workers involved and significant others.
• To actively participate in changeovers and other communication methods such as utilising on call in the refuge.
• To keep abreast of refuge issues and changes in policy by reading staff meeting minutes and contributing as necessary.
• To keep their first aid and other applicable qualifications up to date.
• To respond appropriately in critical incidents, situations requiring first aid, young people who are substance effected and young people people experiencing episodes of mental illness. This includes writing incident reports and engaging appropriate outside services.
• To enter case-notes into the agreed client data software tools in a timely manner.
• Contribute to program development within the housing program operations.
• Contribute to the creation and revision of Policy and Procedure.
• To attend bi-annual training day and other training as required.

Key Performance Areas

• Positive creative engagement with young people experiencing issues associated with homelessness.Including setting boundaries, giving feedback, mentoring, dealing with critical incidents.
• Ability to complete required administrative tasks and maintain a household cleanliness.
• Ability to engage creatively with young people experience homelessness.

Key Selection Criteria

• Willingness to work from a framework of Christian values, Fusions mission and to participate in Fusion’s training.
• Appropriate qualifications such as Cert IV in Case Management or Bachelor of Welfare/Social Work and proven youth work experience.
• Providing evidence of Current Working with Children’s Check & giving consent for Fusion to Conduct a National Police Records Check before commencing role.
• Agreement to work within Fusion’s Code of Conduct.
• Need to be available for a range of shifts including must be available to work weeknights when needed to cover permanent staffs annual leave and shifts at short notice due to illness.
• Current driver’s licence.
• Experience working in a team and the ability to work independently.
• Understanding of the experiences of vulnerable young people particularly those who are experiencing homelessness and an ability to provide direct service to this client group.
• Skills in engaging young people as well as liaising with parents, schools and other service providers.
• Ability to listen, gather information and make assessments of need.
• Computer literate, including intermediate Microsoft Office use.
• Ability to set and maintain appropriate boundaries.
• Excellent time management skills.
• First Aid and Mental First Aid Certificates.
• Safe Organisation /Child Safety Training.
• Understanding of how to respond appropriately in situations with young people who are under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, experiencing trauma, experiencing episodes of mental illness, come from a culturally and linguistically diverse background, and identify as LGTBQIA.

Accountability

• Accountable to Fusion Team Leader, Youth Housing Coordinator, Caseworkers and overnight workers.
• Work alongside other casuals.
• Responsible for young people.

All inquires should be directed to Julian Laham [email protected] using the subject line: Youth Housing Worker enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.