Homeless Youth Assistance Program

**About Us**

Allambi Care is a multi-disciplined and recognised leader in the human services field working across the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Hunter, Central Coast and Northern Rivers regions in NSW, as well as Victoria. We are committed to supporting our community's most vulnerable people through tailored services and programs. With over 40 years' experience, our 'never give up' approach ensures the needs of the people we care for are our first priority.

**Position Overview**

The overall role of the HYAP Family Support Worker is to work and support families and young people who may otherwise enter OOHC due to homelessness. They also assist in reducing risk in the home by linking families into community supports as directed and providing them with a framework to maintain the connection developed while connected to our program.

**This is a support worker level position, not a case worker level position; however is a position that will assist in professional development with some aspects of outreach fundamental case work.**

**Main Duties and Responsibilities**
- Provide support to families and clients in a non-judgmental and therapeutic manner.
- Follow Allambi risk assessment procedures when visiting and meeting families for the first time, and ongoing.
- Transport and support clients and or family to appointments and other important commitments where necessary, as outlined in the case plan or as directed by management.
- Assist in the completion of the safety and risk assessment for each family within the required timeline. As well as the North Carolina Family Assessment tool where needed.
- Respond to crisis in the most therapeutic and professional manner possible, consulting with Management.
- Ensure the Case Worker is immediately informed of any critical incidents especially those that include child protection issues and that may involve debriefing for workers.
- Ensure detailed incident reports are completed and submitted to the Case Worker within a 24 hour period.
- Work flexible hours including evenings where needed to support the family and young person.
- Ensure that contact is made with the Case Worker prior to each family visit.
- To be available at short notice for shifts in alignment to the demand of the family's needs.
- Attend and provide input in development process in client planning including; case plans, case conferences and other intervention programs.
- Review and assess progress of case plan goals regularly with the Case Worker and discuss any barriers to their completion.
- Complete the family support worker tool for each family which aligns and set goals to work towards.
- Act as an advocate and support for clients and assist them in expressing their grievances.
- Attend the overview meetings where applicable with the case work team, to ensure that all goals have been effectively met and that the family has adequate supports to ensure their continued success in the program.
- Maintain communication of all visits/contact/meetings with families and others to Case Worker through family contact reports.
- All family contact reports to be completed and submitted to the Case Worker within a 24 hour timeframe.
- Engage with Clientele and families to build a positive connection.
- Attend ongoing internal and external training as identified by Management Team.
- Promote Allambi Needs Based Restorative Framework (NBRF) culture and work to NBRF ideals.
- Perform the Family Support Worker role with a variety of clientele and in various settings including but not limited to; in the home, schools, extended family or key people's residence, hospitals, courts, community centers and emergency accommodation.
- Ensure all Family Support contact/ work is in alignment with case plan goals.
- Complete helpline reports when child protection issues are identified. All child protection issues to be discussed with management prior to all helpline notifications.
- Collaborate with other NGO's and government departments and maintain the positive and professional relationships set up with external services.
- Assist the family and young person to gain practical life skills to independently access supports in the community.
- Ensure that you act in a professional and appropriate manner at all times.
- Maintain and ensure responsible driving practices are adhered to at all times including in contracted company vehicles.
- Advise the Case Worker and People Support and Culture of any grievances, issues or concerns regarding employees and family's.
- Adhere to and implement Allambi Care policies and procedures.
- Prioritise, organise and complete set tasks given according to allocated time frames.
- Work both independently and part of a team.
- Undertake all additional tasks assigned by the Case Worker, Case Manager and Department Director.

**Essential Requirements**
- 3 Years working with children and young people in a similar environment to Allambi
- Diploma of Community Services (Or working