Care Coordinator

About Wayside Chapel

Wayside Chapel has provided unconditional love, care and support to the most marginalised people on and around the streets of Sydney since 1964. Our mission is to create a community with no 'us and them', and address underlying issues of inequality, wellbeing, and loneliness. From our centres in Kings Cross and Bondi and through outreach teams, we offer a range of support services that place dignity, respect, and love at the heart of what we do.

Every day, we walk alongside people facing homelessness, addiction, mental health challenges, and isolation. We provide care that is trauma-informed, respectful, and human.

Purpose of Position

The Care Coordinator will work alongside team members to proactively support and empower visitors to identify and work towards achieving their personal goals. You will have a deep understanding of the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness, particularly in relation to mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) issues. Experience in case management, incident reporting, and conflict resolution is highly desirable. Above all, you are passionate about enhancing outcomes through compassionate care, effective communication, and a commitment to excellence in case management.

Responsibilities

• Build rapport with visitors and identify presenting needs;

• Conduct initial assessments, identify goals with regard for visitor strengths, and develop care plans to improve visitor wellbeing;

• Regularly review care plans to assess progress and additional needs;

• Assist visitors to make informed decisions by providing options and reasonable advice with consideration of the presenting circumstances of the visitor;

• Coordinate care for visitors which may include liaising with multiple social, health, housing, financial and legal services, making appropriate referrals and advocating for optimal outcomes;

• Assist frontline staff with managing visitor behaviour and offer support during critical incidents;

• Promote independence, self-determination and self-worth in visitors through one-to-one and community engagement.

• Collaborate and work effectively with other programs within Wayside for the advancement of visitor care objectives;

• Participate in case planning and case review meetings;

• Participate in interagency meetings when required and ensure Wayside offers a consistent and professional presence.

• Explore opportunities to expand relationships and collaborative work with local service providers;

• Develop content and facilitate therapeutic groups when appropriate;

• Utilise a trauma informed care approach to care coordination practice;

• Operate within a harm minimisation framework when working with visitors engaged in high-risk behaviours.

• Record accurate and timely data and information and effectively use available systems. This includes internal systems to record program statistics, CIMS, visitor flags and other systems utilised in interagency meetings;

• Develop and maintain detailed visitor files including needs assessments, care plans, brokerage and case notes;

• Ensure all reports and administrative tasks are completed to a professional standard;

• Participate in the review and further development of policy and procedures.

About You

• Undergraduate qualifications in Social Work/other relevant disciplines or substantial experience working in Community Services;

• Experience working with at-risk populations and understanding of related issues, both practical and systematic (including but not limited to Juvenile Justice, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, CALD, trauma, homelessness, mental health, alcohol and other drugs);

• Knowledge of and ability to operate with regard to trauma informed principles;

• High level interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills;

• Ability to work as part of a team with a commitment to sharing knowledge and expertise and supporting Wayside culture;

• Understanding of community-based model of care and commitment to the mission, vision and values of Wayside.

What We Offer

• Five weeks Annual Leave
• $15,900 of your annual salary tax-free through generous NFP salary packaging
• 3x Flex Leave days
• Paid Cultural and Ceremonial Leave
• Access to monthly External Clinical Supervision
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Wayside is an Equal Opportunity Employer that provides an inclusive work environment and embraces the diverse talent of its people.

We value people of all cultures, languages, capacities, sexual orientations, gender identities and/or expressions. We are committed to achieving a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Prior to an offer of employment, candidates will be required to complete pre-employment checks, including a Police check, reference checks and Working With Children Check.