• Salary range of $74,170 to $79,810 per annum
• Plus generous tax saving benefit through salary packaging up to $15,900
• Five weeks annual leave plus 17.5% leave loading and generous personal leave entitlements
• Friendly and inclusive Rainbow Tick Accredited Organisation
• Opportunity for professional learning and development
• Hybrid working arrangements

Wayss is the largest provider of homelessness and family violence services in the South East Melbourne area.

We exist so that people have access to safe, sustainable and affordable housing and our vision is to be the major provider of social housing services and leading-edge client support programs in the Southern Melbourne Metropolitan region.

Services for Young People provide transitional support and access to crisis and supported accommodation options for young people aged between 16 and 25 who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The service aims to increase the capacity of young people to live independently through improving access to long term stable and affordable housing; providing assistance with securing income support and connecting young people with a range of social supports.

About the role

Reporting to the Team Leader, Services for Young People, and working from an Advantage Thinking approach, the position provides initial assessment, referral and short-term support to young people experiencing homelessness crisis.

Duties will include:

• Assessing a client's immediate safety risk and support needs using Youth Risk Assessment tools.
• Undertaking safety planning and crisis intervention.
• Identifying the client's presenting housing and support needs, including the clients social support needs and ability to live independently.
• Providing short to medium term episodes of support to young people experiencing homelessness.
• Participating with partnership agencies in the development and delivery of complimentary programs for young people including the Living and Life Skills Program.
• Facilitating referrals and supporting young people to access services.
• Ensuring the effective and ongoing implementation of the Advantaged Thinking approach.
• Working effectively as part of a supportive and cohesive team and participate in teamwork to enhance the delivery of services to young people including but not limited to the participation in team meetings, planning days and completion appropriate handovers.
• Ensuring that data and information is collected in line with organisational requirements.
• Providing advocacy and support activities

About you

We are looking for a passionate, client-focused individual who can work independently and can demonstrate an ability to support young people to reach their potential.

You will have:

• Tertiary qualifications in Youth Work, Social Work, Social or Behavioural Science, Psychology, Community Services or other relevant discipline at degree level or above.
• A background in, understanding of, or demonstrated ability to quickly acquire such knowledge in one or more of the following areas:
  • Advantaged Thinking
  • Community Housing and social welfare programs
  • Education and learning, including vocational education
  • Employment and Career Pathway Programs
  • Young peoples’ transitions and educational pathways
• Demonstrated experience in building positive relationships and communicating effectively with internal and external contacts with diverse backgrounds and abilities.
• Experience in advocating a culture that promotes the aspirations of young people in keeping with the Advantaged Thinking approach.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to improving service delivery and practice.
• Highly developed interpersonal and problem-solving skills to effectively respond to young people.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, self organisation and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated capacity to complete tasks, manage your time effectively and work independently.
• Demonstrated computer skills and working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

This role requires a current Driver’s Licence and valid ‘Employment’ category - Working with Children Check. The candidate will need to have successfully completed Wayss pre-employment screening, a police check and provide evidence of full Covid-19 vaccination compliance.

Working for Wayss

Our people are our greatest asset. Without them, we would be unable to make a meaningful impact in the lives of people facing homelessness and family violence. This is our motivation in offering a range of benefits to ensure we hire and retain great people.

To hear what our people have to say about working at Wayss see the video below.

Applications

Previous applicants are not required to reapply.

Please ensure you include a covering letter, outlining your experience in relation to the criteria outlined in the "About You" section of the Position Description. Enquiries about the position can be directed to Brittany Whitnish, Team Leader, Services for Young People, on 9791 6111.

The Position Description can be obtained by visiting https://www.wayss.org.au/careers-at-wayss/.

Wayss is proud to be an inclusive and child safe organisation. Due to the nature of this role, the successful candidate must be prepared to undertake a National Police Check and possess a valid Working with Children Check.

At Wayss, we embrace a culture of diversity and inclusion within our workforce and approach to service delivery. We are responsive to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from LGBTIQ and culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people living with a disability and people of all ages. Wayss is a proud Rainbow Tick accredited organisation that welcomes everyone across the LGBTIQ community.