Safety & Care Coordinator

Please note: we aim to make this role permanent, however, this cannot be confirmed at this date.

Position Summary:

The Safety & Care Coordinator plays a central role in maintaining a welcoming, respectful, and safe environment for all people accessing Chances House. This position is responsible for engaging with new and returning guests, supporting the intake process, responding calmly to incidents or escalated behaviours, and ensuring the general tidiness and functionality of the centre.

Working on the frontline, the Safety & Care Coordinator supports individuals experiencing homelessness and complex challenges such as mental illness, substance use, trauma, and social isolation. The role balances a trauma-informed, compassionate approach with confident decision-making and de-escalation strategies.

Key Responsibilities:

Guest Engagement & Intake

• Greet and check in guests as they arrive, fostering a sense of welcome and safety.
• Induct new guests by explaining centre expectations, facilities, and support pathways.
• Organise intake assessments for new guests; complete assessments when required.
• Collect and update relevant guest information, with sensitivity to confidentiality and consent.

Safety & Incident Response

• Monitor the centre for signs of distress, conflict, or escalating behaviours.
• Respond effectively to incidents involving verbal aggression, physical aggression, or mental health crises (e.g. psychosis, disassociation).
• Use de-escalation strategies and engage clinical or emergency services when necessary.
• Complete incident reports and participate in post-incident debriefing.

Centre Maintenance & Client Support

• Assist with maintaining a clean, tidy, and functional drop-in space (e.g. wiping tables, restocking hygiene supplies).
• Provide support to clients with simple, one-off tasks (e.g. making a phone call, accessing food or clothing, filling out a form).
• Support safe and fair use of communal resources such as showers, laundry, and computers.

Team Collaboration

• Work closely with case workers, healthcare workers, volunteers, and external agencies.
• Contribute to a collaborative, respectful and non-judgmental team environment.
• Attend regular staff meetings and contribute to service improvement initiatives.

Key Selection Criteria:

Essential:

• Experience working with people experiencing homelessness, mental health issues, or substance use challenges.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage calmly and respectfully in complex situations.
• Demonstrated ability to respond to behavioural escalations or crises using trauma-informed and person-centred practices.
• Basic administration skills and confidence using forms, records, or simple software systems.
• Physically able to assist with light cleaning tasks and active presence on the floor.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a diverse team.
• Ability to work well under pressure and in a fast paced, sometimes noisy atmosphere.
• Ability to recognise and respond to crisis situations

Desirable:

• Mental Health First Aid or training in de-escalation/conflict resolution.
• Qualifications in community services, mental health, AOD, or related fields.
• Lived experience of homelessness, recovery, or peer support work.
• Security Officer or similar experience, with trauma informed approaches

Conditions of Employment:

• Must hold (or be willing to obtain) a valid Working with Children Check (Blue Card), Disability Worker Screening card, and National Police Check.
• Occasional flexibility in hours may be required.
• Commitment to harm minimisation, human rights, and strengths-based practice is essential.

Values & Culture at Chances House:

Chances House is a trauma-informed, peer-inclusive service. We believe in dignity, safety, and genuine connection as foundations for recovery. All staff are expected to uphold non-judgmental, culturally safe, and inclusive practices at all times, in all situations.

Job Types: Part-time, Contract
Contract length: 6 months

Pay: $37.00 per hour

Expected hours: 15 per week

Benefits:

• Professional development assistance
• Salary packaging

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Morning shift

Experience:

• working with people with complex needs: 5 years (Required)

Licence/Certification:

• Full Driver Licence (Required)

Work Authorisation:

• Australia (Required)

Work Location: In person

Application Deadline: 07/07/2025
Expected Start Date: 14/07/2025