At Stepping Stone House we truly believe in assisting youth to create their future!

We are seeking an experienced Social Worker with a passion for the Therapeutic Care model and the use of adventure education to develop youth.

In this role you will provide intensive client centred, strengths based case management to young people aged 12-24 years in our residential and independent living programs. You will work within a therapeutic framework where the young people are able to thrive and become independent. This role is based in Dulwich Hill.

Work Life Balance and a sense of fun in the workplace is actively encouraged.

About Stepping Stone House

Stepping Stone House is a not for profit charity that provides accommodation and personal development for children and young people aged 12-24 years old who through no fault of their own find themselves homeless, at risk of homelessness or unable to live at home. It is an accredited out of home care residential service providing medium to long term accommodation across three homes in Sydney.

Furthermore, it provides after care support to graduates up to 30 years of age. At Stepping Stone House we encourage personal growth and development of children and young people with the aim of empowering the individual to achieve responsible independence.

Ideal candidate

To be successful in this challenging role – you will need to be hard working, be flexible in your approach, enthusiastic and show empathy, patience and respect for the people you work with. You will need to be a self- starter, be honest in your approach and have passion for working with adolescents.

What you will be doing – Key responsibilities

• Acting as a facilitator between clients in need and community services
• Assessing resources for health, welfare, recreation, housing, employment and other community services
• Providing leadership and assistance for the implementation of pilot projects in community development and self-help, and planning and implementing research projects to address client needs, organisation goals and social policy
• Cooperating with community organisations, social agencies and voluntary groups to improve services and develop new services
• Conducting individual case interviews to identify the nature and extent of clients' problems
• Assisting clients to understand and resolve problems by providing information, acting as a mediator and referring them to community and self-help agencies
• Analysing, developing, promoting and implementing social policies through the use of practice experience, research, analytic frameworks, and negotiation skills to respond to social need through a fair, equitable and effective allocation of social resources
• Monitoring the progress of clients by maintaining contact
• Compiling case records and reports
• Manage the dynamic of the young people – group and individual

And a great deal more – remember this is an exciting and challenging role.

Essential Criteria

• A relevant Bachelor’s degree or relevant Diploma working towards a Bachelor’s degree (with electives to include subject matter on trauma where available).
• Minimum 2 years’ experience working with disadvantaged young people preferably in a residential setting.
• Demonstrated experience and or understanding of Trauma Informed Care and willingness to work within a therapeutic framework.
• Demonstrated skills in negotiation, problem solving, conflict resolution and engagement with the young people to achieve positive outcomes
• Time management skills in a busy environment with many competing priorities
• Demonstrated skills and experience in designing, implementing and reviewing of case management strategies and case plans.
• Demonstrated networking skills with relevant organisations and understanding of the purpose of networking
• An understanding of the responsibilities under the child protection legislation and OCG Child Safe Standards of Residential Care.
• Evidence of collaborative working style and ability to build good working relationships in a team
• Working with Children Certification
• A current driver’s license

Desirable criteria

• First aid Certificate or willingness to obtain

Stepping Stone House is an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes applicants who have an Indigenous and / or culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background.

Stepping Stone House provides regular supervision and support for all staff and opportunities for professional development.  Salary and Conditions of employment are based on the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award level 4. Salary packaging is available.

Please note: Child Safety is at the forefront of all work completed at Stepping Stone House. If your application is successful, you will be required to obtain a Working with Children Check, a Criminal History Check and provide consent to be registered on the OCG’s residential youth workers registry.