• Join our passionate Detour team to provide vital prevention and early intervention support to youth experiencing homelessness
• Work in Melbourne's outer West
• Competitive remuneration package with salary packaging benefits available.

About the program

The Detour program is an Innovation Action Project program and homelessness early intervention program for young people aged 12-24 years, and their families or significant adults. The Detour program, delivered in partnership by Melbourne City Mission, Uniting and Kids Under Cover is an initiative under the Victoria Department of Health & Human Services.

This initiative aims to address potential homelessness for young people by providing intensive wrap-around coaching support services and individualised intensive support packages. The support packages offered to young people include support for families aiming to improve the lives of individuals and the community as a whole.

About the role

Detour identifies and addresses the root-causes of homelessness risk factors for young people, going deeper than the presenting circumstances. Providing access to integrated services with individually tailored support packages, Detour actively diverts young people away from homelessness, fast-tracking them back into the community.

Duties of this role may include but are not limited to the following:.

• Provide effective early intervention strategies for “at risk” young people and their families, in conjunction with the Detour team, partners and service providers.
• Provide effective case management utilising best practice principles whilst working with the young people we support to return to their community of origin and family, where possible.
• Plan, deliver and co-facilitate group work initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with welfare and teaching staff in local schools to identify and support at risk young people.
• Develop and maintain collaborative, effective, and integrated working relationships with other service providers and community agencies and provide advocacy where required.

Skills and experience

Essential:

• Bachelor of Youth Work, Social Work, or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in working with and providing case management to young people and their families, particularly within the context of early intervention and youth homelessness.
• An understanding and experience with the youth homelessness sector and/or mainstream services, including knowledge of patterns, trends and systemic issues.
• An understanding of key issues as it relates to youth homelessness and family breakdown.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with other organisations in the education and welfare sectors, in formal and informal partnerships, to achieve client outcomes.
• Extensive knowledge of casework principles.

Please refer to the position description for the full duties and key selection criteria.

How to Apply

For more information, including a position description, closing date and how to apply, please click Apply Now to be redirected to our website.

A position description is also attached.

For more details or assistance with application submission please email: [email protected] using the subject line: Youth Coach - Detour enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Applicants will be required to undergo a pre-employment safety screening process as part of the MCM selection process. Appointments to MCM roles will be subject to the following safety screening checks (as applicable to the role): National (and International if applicable) Police Check (which includes Proof of Identity Check), Victorian Employee Working with Children Check, Qualification Verification Check, Employment History Check, NDIS Worker Screening Check, Right to Work in Australia and current and valid driver licence. All costs associated with safety checks (except National Police Check) will be at applicants’ expense. MCM employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 consistent with the Victoria public health orders regarding COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Procedures and applicants will be required to present acceptable proof of their vaccination status as part of their application.

Our commitment to diversity

At HHA/MCM, we embrace differences in gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, religion and sexual orientation. We know that diversity and inclusion help us to attract, recruit, engage and retain a team of talented people. If you require specific support to apply for this position, please advise the recruiting manager whose contact details are listed in the advertisement. We will work with you to identify the best way to assist you.

Our commitment to safety

HHA/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.