Housing and Community Support Officer

Are you passionate about supporting vulnerable people to transition to long term, stable housing? Join ICLA and make a difference supporting people with a mental health condition &/or psychosocial disability to build capacity and independence.
- See the impact of stable housing & support participants on their next steps to independence
- Enjoy a varied autonomous role supported by a small collaborative team
- Explore your opportunities, talents & skills as you support our participants to do the same

**ABOUT US**

Independent Community Living Australia (ICLA) is a not-for-profit community organisation delivering mental health recovery services and personalised support to individuals with psychosocial, intellectual and other disabilities as well as those seeking support at difficult times in their life. ICLA offers a wide range of services across the greater Sydney region, from supported residential services to supported mental health services, empowering individuals with independence and inclusion in the community.

ICLA’s mission to deliver personalised support, enabling individual choice to improve people’s lives is achieved by living our values:
**Respect** for all; **Integrity **in what we do; **Accountable **for all we do; and **Results **for those we serve.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Housing & Community Support Officer supports people with a mental health condition and/or psychosocial disability to access the information and develop the skills they need to secure and maintain a tenancy, and transition on from the Pathways program into long term housing. This exciting & dynamic part time role involves working 3 days per week across our Pathways sites in the Inner West & Eastern Suburbs and our office in Surry Hills. The variety in the workload requires flexibility to travel to sites as needed, but also allows occasions to work from home. Remuneration is based on relevant skills and experience (in line with the SCHADS Award Level 3), plus loading, superannuation & salary packaging.

**Responsibilities**:

- Provide individually tailored, person-centred support to program participants that supports the development of their capacity to access and maintain a tenancy.
- Utilise a strengths-based approach to engage program participants in setting and achieving goals relating to accommodation
- Take a person-centred approach in assessing the needs of program participants, make referrals and assist individuals to access supports when required.
- Coordinate reviews with key stakeholders and program participants to monitor progress against their goal plan and ensure plans are responsive to changing support needs and circumstances
- Support participants to meaningfully engage in program activities, establish goals, identify support needs and monitor progress, while fostering a sense of community among program participants.

ABOUT YOU

Required criteria:

- Minimum Certificate IV in mental health/community services or working towards a qualification in mental health or disability
- Experiencing supporting people with complex mental health conditions
- Understanding of mental health related crises and ability to respond appropriately
- Commitment to trauma informed and consumer led practice
- Excellent time management skills and demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities
- Demonstrated ability to work autonomously & flexibly
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
- Current Australian driver’s license
- NDIS Workers Check (or willingness to obtain)
- Current First Aid Certificate

Desirable
- Experience working with homelessness populations
- Stakeholder management experience
- Mental Health First Aid

**BENEFITS**:
ICLA offers:

- Inclusive and committed culture where everyone’s contribution is valued
- Ongoing learning and development opportunities
- Charity salary packaging for permanent staff to pay benefits and living expenses from pre-tax salary
- Flexible working practices
- Paid Parental Leave

HOW TO APPLY

Are you passionate about supporting vulnerable people to transition to long term, stable housing? Join ICLA and make a difference supporting people with a mental health condition &/or psychosocial disability to build capacity and independence.
- See the impact of stable housing & support participants on their next steps to independence
- Enjoy a varied autonomous role supported by a small collaborative team
- Explore your opportunities, talents & skills as you support our participants to do the same