Senior Families Worker

Why join Launch Housing
Launch Housing is an independent Melbourne based community organisation passionately committed to ending homelessness. From providing high quality housing and an innovative range of support, education and employment services, we bring solutions to homelessness under one roof for thousands at risk of, or experiencing the crisis and trauma of homelessness. With over 400 staff working across 16 locations in metropolitan Melbourne, we combine direct action with advocacy, research and innovation to drive widespread change Our people are the backbone of our organisation and supporting their wellbeing and professional development is critical to our ability to help our clients and the community. We value lived experience and diversity in our staff, and provide high-quality training & supervision, wellbeing days, access to an Employee Assistance Program and much much more to ensure your career with us is fulfilling Don't just walk past homelessness. Join the solution
Our permanent and fixed-term employee benefits include:
• Contributing to useful and rewarding work and giving something back to the community
• Wellbeing days, ceremonial leave, carers leave and study leave
• Flexible working arrangements
• Purchased leave
• 17.5% leave loading
• 8 weeks' gender neutral paid parental leave after 12 months of service for both the primary and secondary carer
• Training and career growth opportunities across Launch Housing
• A portion of your income can be tax-free by salary packaging your personal expenses
• Additional tax-free salary packaging on dining and accommodation expenses
• Positive, supportive and progressive work environment
About the opportunity: Initial Assessment and Planning (IAP) is the main access point for clients experiencing or at risk of homelessness throughout Victoria. It helps people prevent and end homelessness by providing accommodation assistance, advice, and referrals for additional support
The Senior Families Worker role is responsible for IAPs response to families seeking housing support across three entry points. The Senior Families Worker will conduct initial assessments, crisis response, and resource allocation for children and families in housing crisis who access the three IAP services. Key responsibilities include coordinating emergency accommodation, providing financial assistance, prioritising referrals to appropriate support services, and carrying out assessments on child safety. The Senior Families Worker will engage with families through phone, email, and face to face outreach appointments. This role will work assertively to engage with families at hotel accommodation, partner services, or other locations. This role will be required to work across the three entry point sites and on outreach to various motels to meet with families
The Senior Families Worker will oversee (with Support from the Coordinator Entry Point and Operations) all families in Emergency Accommodation through regular meetings and ad hoc coordination and advocacy. This role will ensure all families in Emergency Accommodation are working towards a clear housing outcome and escalate any issues of concern. This role will provide support and secondary consults to the IAP team around working with children and families in crisis. It will also work closely with Launch Housing's relevant child and family housing programs, such as the Accommodation Options for Families program, Children's Team, Education Pathways Program and/or Private Rental Assistance Program
Launch Housing Leadership Framework At Launch Housing, we believe that leadership is not defined by position or title – but by the mindset you bring and the actions you take. We also believe that leadership is learnable – that there is a body of knowledge, skills and dispositions associated with leadership that can be learned
The Launch Housing Leadership Framework outlines the key expectations and behaviours required for effective leadership at every level. This role is aligned to the Leading Others proficiency level within the framework, reflecting the responsibility to guide and support teams, foster collaboration, and create a high-performing and inclusive environment that drives positive outcomes
Permanent full-time role (76 hours per fortnight) based at Southbank
As part of our commitment to increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates will be given priority consideration. All other candidates are welcome to apply. This approach is a special measure under section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic), designed to promote substantive equality What you'll be doing: Provide child and family-centred support to families at risk of or experiencing homelessness, ensuring timely intervention, assessment, and referral to Case Management support. Ensure a strengths-based approach to empower families in creating meaningful and sustainable change in their lives. Utilise trauma-informed practices to enhance safety and stability while addressing children's developmental needs, ensuring a holistic and supportive service approach. Deliver outreach support to families in emergency accommodation, applying a child-focused, strengths-based model that fosters stability, resilience, and overall well-being. Ensure thorough assessments and referrals to connect families with appropriate housing and support services. Support families with public and social housing applications, financial assistance, and access to essential services. Conduct comprehensive risk assessments and management plans addressing family violence, parental AOD use, and safety concerns in emergency accommodation. Oversee housing plans for all families in Emergency Accommodation, support referrals to relevant housing and support programs, advocate for housing outcomes, and escalate challenges securing accommodation. Provide secondary consultation to IAP teams to encourage child-centred support and improving the understanding of child and family service pathways to facilitate effective and appropriate referrals. Advocate for child-safe, family-centred services that recognise children as clients and prioritise their needs in service delivery. Advocate on behalf of families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to ensure that services are relevant, flexible and accessible. Initiating and maintaining positive networks with internal and external support providers to benefit the client. Undertake advocacy on behalf of clients with other agencies to ensure equity of access and delivery of services. Embedding effective collaboration and communication with internal and external stakeholders. What we're looking for (key selection criteria): A tertiary qualification in human services, social work or other relevant discipline (highly desired). Direct experience in the delivery of services to clients with complex needs relating to homelessness. Demonstrated understanding of housing and homelessness policy, context and systems including the impact of homelessness on families and children. Demonstrated experience working with children and families who have a range of complex support needs, including responding to family violence and child safety. Demonstrated ability to build positive relationships and communicate with people of diverse backgrounds and abilities. Excellent problem-solving skills. Current Victorian Driver's licence (desired). Understanding of, or a demonstrated commitment to upholding, Child Safe Standards in the workplace. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. Demonstrated commitment to the values of Launch Housing and our mission to end homelessness. Applications close 14 November
For more information, please contact Sarah Macmillan at
How to apply
To apply for this opportunity, please click on "Apply for this job" button. Please submit a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria and your CV
For a copy of the position description please contact us at
Launch Housing offers a wide range of career opportunities and employs a diverse range of talent. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons to apply We acknowledge, respect and celebrate Aboriginal cultures, languages, connections to Country and heritage, customs and practices. We're committed to support Aboriginal peoples to obtain genuine and fulfilling career with us
Launch Housing is a dog-friendly organisation, which allows dog owners to bring them in some of our sites, please contact the relevant Hiring Manager if you have any questions or concerns prior to your interview
If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know at
Launch Housing is committed to being a child safe organisation and has zero tolerance to child abuse. Our hiring process involves rigorous screening of applicants. All of our people including students, contractors and volunteers must hold a valid Working with Children Check and satisfactory criminal history record check
Launch Housing is an Equal Opportunity employer and supports accessible working arrangements for all. This includes people with a disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, culturally, religiously and linguistically diverse people, young people, older people, women, and people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, intersex or queer. We acknowledge Lived Experience as a unique expertise and encourage people with a Lived Experience of Homelessness to apply. All applicants must have the right to work in Australia
Launch Housing is working to become more trauma informed and as a leading employer in the homelessness sector, it is important to let you know that you will hear stories of distress, hardship, trauma, or violence when working with us. We encourage you to reflect on how this may impact you when considering applying for the role.

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