Social Worker St Kilda Crisis Contact Centre

Number of Positions Available:

1

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Why this role matters

A core program within The Salvation Army Homelessness Stream, the Crisis Contact Centre (CCC) in St Kilda is a generalist service that offers a 24hr, Statewide crisis response to people of all ages. It is open for face-to-face assistance, on a drop-in basis, from 9am until 11pm every day of the year (inc. public holidays) and offers a telephone-based response 24/7.

The CCC is a high-volume service that assists over 17,000 households a year, and while many are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, clients of the service present with a broad range of needs. Immediate assistance may include financial assistance for emergency housing, food vouchers and other material aid, information, advocacy and planning, as well as referral to specialist supports in relation to housing, family violence, alcohol and other drug use and mental health. We are currently recruiting for permanent part-time roles due to the increase in demand for our essential service.

The service provides clients with a team-based response to their support needs, and functions as a referral point to other support services within the Crisis Support Services and the broader Homelessness Service System (HSS).

About the role

We currently have two part time positions available to work as part of an energetic, creative and diverse team of Social Work practitioners to deliver high quality, safe and effective responses to Victorian individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and seeking support through the 24/7 Crisis Contact Centre Service.

You will successfully:

- Conduct client assessments within a crisis intervention framework.
- Allocate financial and material aid in a responsible manner.
- Model a professional work ethic - reliable, punctual, and flexible and participate in shift handovers.
- Share information with co-workers and management; be proactive in solving work-place issues and problems.
- Ensure that workloads are shared equitably among the team.
- Seek to work through conflict and reach agreement by demonstrating good, clear communication.
- Support and backup other team members who are faced with difficult and challenging situations.
- Capacity to effectively assist clients to navigate a complex service system - this may involve provision of information and advice, or direct advocacy and negotiation with external services.
- Facilitate supported referrals for clients to specialist support services such as mental health, drug & alcohol, counselling and other, where necessary and appropriate

One part time position is for our general crisis center which is a minimum of three (ideally four) shifts a week across both days and after hours. The second position is specifically for an overnight worker on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights (10.30pm - 08.30am).

Reporting to the Program Manager this position is based at 29 Grey St, St Kilda. Salary and conditions of employment are in accordance with Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010, Level 5.

Selection Criteria
- A demonstrated understanding of the issues associated with homelessness.
- A demonstrated commitment to the provision of accessible and flexible services to people with multiple and complex needs.
- A capacity to assess and make timely and appropriate decisions on the provision of information, options and resources with regard to individual situation and circumstances.
- A sound knowledge of the resources and services available in the community, especially those related to housing, health (inclusive of alcohol and other drug and psychiatric supports), family violence and income security.
- Well-developed client engagement skills.
- Well-developed interpersonal skills, both oral and written.
- Demonstrated ability to work within a team delivering a range of services and to be independent and autonomous where necessary
- A current VIC Drivers Licence (if required)
- Valid VIC Employee Working with Children Check
- Ability to provide proof of Eligibility to Work in Australia

What we offer
- (Maybe eligible to) NFP salary packaging ($15,900 tax free) plus meals and entertainment benefits
- Employee Assistance Program - Independent confidential counselling service
- Flexible working conditions
- Financial, retail and lifestyle discounts and benefits
- Discounte