Initial Assessment and Planning Worker

Initial Assessment and Planning Worker

(0.7FTE – Part Time Permanent)

Enjoy the benefits of working with a growing organisation offering career development, flexibility and an attractive annual salary package (including leave loading and superannuation). 

The Role:

VincentCare Victoria is seeking an appropriately qualified person to take on the position of Initial Assessment and Planning Worker.   Through its ten years of experience as a leading Access Point in the North and West metropolitan region, VincentCare Victoria recognises the profound importance the role of Initial Assessment and Planning has on the client experience of the homelessness service system.  VincentCare is currently working to further enhance the service provided to clients.  This has been demonstrated through the recent Department of Health and Human Services Hume Moreland Area Launch Site initiative – an opportunity to review and implement innovations to dramatically improve the client experience.

The Initial Assessment and Planning Worker plays an integral role within the homelessness service system and often acts as the first point of contact for most people seeking assistance.  As a result, an IA&P Worker is required to have advanced communication and interpersonal skills, especially when working with people who are experiencing trauma and housing crisis.  In addition, the role demands an ability to be innovative in providing a tailored response to individual clients while working within the existing homelessness service system.  This role is ideally suited to those who are energised by working from a solution-focused approach – working both autonomously and as part of an enthusiastic team.

The IA&P Worker is responsible for performing certain functions within the Opening Doors Framework and wider service system, including:

• Undertaking assessments with clients that focus on their experiences, identified strengths and risks, as well as personal aspirations;
• The provision of information on a range of relevant topics including housing options, tenancy legislation, and allied service systems;
• Advocating on behalf of clients especially in relation to working with real estate agents and housing providers;
• Arranging crisis accommodation for clients using resources such as Housing Establishment Funds;
• Completing referrals to, and assisting clients to navigate a range of services/service gateways; and
• Providing an “active holding” response to clients who are prioritised for support vacancies.

While the role of an IA&P Worker is largely office based, VincentCare Victoria is committed to the development of service outposts within the community.  This provides an opportunity for IA&P staff to work in a range of service settings and to develop and maintain professional working relationships and networks.    

VincentCare Victoria:

VincentCare Victoria is an award winning organisation established to provide a range of accommodation and support services to people that are facing disadvantage throughout metropolitan and regional Victoria.

Our aspiration is to be the leader in providing care, hope and advocacy for those facing disadvantage. Our purpose is to create opportunities and lasting change for the most marginalised. VincentCare is well equipped to provide a continuum of services that effectively meet the needs of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. 

Northern Community Hub provides integrated services in the community housing sector, along with family violence services, case management services and youth outreach services. 

Working with VincentCare:

A key strategic priority is attracting and retaining skilled and committed employees aligned to our values. VincentCare has over three hundred dedicated, talented and enthusiastic staff working across a range of programs and services and offers a number of benefits including:

• Career Development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program
• Salary Packaging
• Choice of Superannuation fund
• Family-friendly and flexibility
• Study leave
• The Ozanam Scholar Bursary 

Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to the principles of social justice and aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity and respect regardless of their cultural background, ability, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation or religion. 

Selection Criteria:

Qualifications – Essential

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Community Services, Social Work, Housing Management or Youth Work

Experience – Essential

• Experience in working in a community or social services
• Experience working within a team or care-team based approach when working with clients
• Experience in providing support to clients who have experienced trauma or disadvantage

Skills and Personal Attributes

• A demonstrated and personal commitment to working within an organisation that can affect immediate and lasting change as well as demonstrated experience in working from a person-centred, strengths-based approach
• A demonstrated ability to generate innovative and client-focused service responses with limited resources
• An enthusiastic and dynamic working style that is characterised by an ability to work autonomously as well as collaboratively within a team
• A personal commitment to ongoing learning and development as well as an ability to be self-reflective
• A demonstrated ability to be agile and flexible, especially when managing multiple competing demands in a busy environment
• Demonstrated ability to build rapport and trust with people who have experienced trauma, discrimination and distrust of services
• Strong administrative skills including timely completion of client notes, an understanding of the importance of data collection and a high degree of computer literacy
• Current working knowledge of government, community and private sector housing developments, programs, policies & issues.  Knowledge of the Opening Doors Framework an advantage. 

How to apply:

Applicants must submit their CV together with a detailed response to each of the key selection criteria in the position description which is available at https://hcm613.peoplestreme.net/vincentcare/erec_external.asp.

Please submit your application through our website at https://hcm613.peoplestreme.net/vincentcare/erec_external.asp.

Phone enquiries may be made to IAP Team Leader Grace Hyde – 0409 548 498

Applications close: 5.00pm Friday, 20 September 2019

VincentCare welcomes applications from people from diverse cultural & linguistic backgrounds including people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex, Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait Islander.

All appointments within VincentCare Victoria are subject to the satisfactory completion of a police check and character/performance reference checks.  Police checks will be undertaken for the selected candidate prior to any job offer being confirmed. Police checks are also undertaken on a periodic basis during the period of employment.

All appointments are subject to disclosure of any relevant employment history of formal disciplinary action for improper or unprofessional conduct taken by current or previous employers or any other integrity body within or outside Australia.

The incumbent for this position must have and maintain a current Victorian Working with Children Check or equivalent.