SUPPORTED ACCOMMODATION AND HOMELESSNESS SERVICES –
SHOALHAVEN ILLAWARRA (SAHSSI) POSITION DESCRIPTION
POSITION: Case Manager - Crisis Accommodation Shoalhaven
REPORTS TO: The Manager, Shoalhaven - SAHSSI
HOURS: (Full-time) 38 hours per week
CLASSIFICATION: Grade 4
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
· Terms and conditions of employment will be in accordance with the Social, Community Home and Disability Services Industry Award (Commonwealth)
· The Case Manager, Crisis Accommodation will be required to participate in the On Call roster.
· The Case Manager, Crisis Accommodation will be required to work from other locations as required.
POSITION CONTEXT:
Supported Accommodation and Homelessness Service, Shoalhaven Illawarra (SAHSSI) is a streamlined service supporting families and women who are homeless or at risk, that will provide clients and stakeholders with a flexible range of client centred services offering to meet their needs regardless of their support requirements (high, medium, low).
SAHSSI includes:
· central administration at Wollongong (current CBD location) with management, finance and administration, intake and referral through a 1300 hotline and online referral, and specialist tenancy manager (already on staff)
· outreach support offered for this package through the Housing Resource Centre (HRC) in Wollongong, accessible by public transport and delivering outreach support including tenancy management. Support for clients and referrals to and from partner agencies including internally managed supported accommodation, transition properties, partner properties including Housing NSW’s Temporary Accommodation (TA) service in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven
· established Wollongong Housing Resource Centre
· supported accommodation to clients in three well established and smoothly run crisis facilities at Keiraville, Lake Illawarra and Nowra
· single strengthened Management Committee - members include senior staff from legal, real estate, youth, mental health, financial services and marketing sectors.
There are 22 members of paid staff (18 full time and 4 part time) employed by SAHSSI.
There are seven Case Manager, Crisis Accommodation positions within the SAHSSI structure: three positions at Lake Illawarra, two positions at Keiraville and two positions at Nowra. The Case Manager, Crisis Accommodation position in Nowra is part of the SAHSSI Shoalhaven Homelessness Services Team.
PURPOSE AND FUNCTION:
1. To provide Information and referral to the clients of Nowra crisis accommodation
2. To undertake assessment and client-focused trauma-informed case management of all clients in crisis accommodation, including dependent children
3. To provide support to women to gain approval for products offered by Housing NSW such as Start Safely Subsidy, Private Rental Brokerage or urgent housing and other available options including transitional properties
4. Provide crisis accommodation, with rostered 24 hour on call supervision for women and their children experiencing a crisis
5. To work in a team with SAHSSI Outreach to ensure that residents transitioning from crisis accommodation are able to enjoy stable long term outcomes
6. To transport clients to view and apply for private rentals and advise Housing NSW once the client has acquired a property.
7. To work effectively with partner agencies and promote a no-wrong-door approach to service provision for clients across the District
8. Provide linkages to clients to enable them to meet own goals, access services and build skills
9. To positively engage in all aspects of team building
10. To provide service system development
11. To represent the Association positively within the local community
This position requires a background in working with homeless clients in particular women and children living with and/or escaping domestic violence and requires abilities in assessment and referral; client focused and trauma-informed case work; service networking; effective partnerships; openness to innovation and change; and managing a demanding workload.
RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE TO:
The Case Manager, Crisis Accommodation is employed by SAHSSI Management Committee and is responsible to the Management Committee through the Manager Shoalhaven who provides day to day supervision, direction and support. The Manager Shoalhaven reports directly to the CEO.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Case Manager, Crisis Accommodation will undertake the following duties:
Client Tasks
1. Provide supported accommodation with a rostered 24 hour on call supervision for women and their children experiencing a crisis.
2. Provide client centred and trauma-informed assessment and case planning to all clients and their children to: identify the client’s strengths, risks and needs; plan and co-ordinate a mix of services to meet the client’s needs; monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the services being delivered to the client.
3. Provide activities to implement the case plans of individual clients, including: information and advice; support, advocacy and counseling; mediation including re-establishment of family links where appropriate; referrals to relevant agencies or specialist services; skills development to help clients achieve outcomes; and the use of brokerage to purchase goods and/or services, including accommodation, for clients.
4. Provide education programs e.g. life skills, budgeting, protective behaviours training to individuals, groups and communities at risk.
5. Integrate the client into the community by providing assistance to access: employment; education and training; health services (including mental health); disability and rehabilitation services; children’s support services; income support and accommodation.
6. Working collaboratively with the SAHSSI Outreach Case Managers to ensure a positive transition for the clients from the ‘refuges’ to their transitional or other housing to ensure long term sustainable outcomes.
7. Ensure the handover of the crisis clients to the Outreach team is smooth and seamless
8. Develop collaborative relationships with other services e.g. Social Housing Providers, Real Estate Agents and other agencies to get results for clients.
9. Participate in community development strategies to address issues impacting on homeless people.
10. Provide mentoring and support to other agencies.
11. Promote community awareness of homelessness, domestic violence and resources to people at risk of homelessness in the wider community.
12. Ensure that all requests by and requirements of clients are dealt with appropriately and in accordance with SAHSSI policies and procedures.
Administration Tasks
1. Ensure that the policies, procedures and philosophy of the Association are implemented and adhered to
2. Collect and report data, and referral information as required by the Manager, Shoalhaven.
3. Undertake administrative tasks relating to the care of the clients, e.g. developing and maintaining case notes, correspondence in regard to the client’s welfare, correspondence with Government and Community Organisations.
4. Keep accurate documentation of staff time sheets and leave.
5. Provide a monthly report to the Manager giving details of current service delivery and client statistics.
6. Engage in Quality Management System processes and procedures to ensure that SAHSSI meet the requirements of the NSW Homelessness Quality Assurance System.
7. Carry out any administration tasks needed for the effective maintenance of work within the service.
8. Ensure that filing systems are maintained and ensure the security of client files.
Service Tasks
1. Undertake supervision with the Manager, Shoalhaven as required.
2. Participate, where required in staff development, training, planning/quality management days, Management Committee meetings and team meetings
3. Ensure the crisis accommodation and its assets are maintained and report any faults or repairs.
4. As a member of the team be involved in any task which is required to successfully run services provided by the Association.
5. Carry out all duties in a pleasant, helpful manner and help the Association present itself to the Community in a positive and professional manner
6. Abide by all relevant policies and procedure of the organisation, including the WH&S Policy.
7. Comply with any statutory provisions under the (Children & Young People, Care & Protection Act 1998).
Any other duties as directed by the Manager, Shoalhaven and/or the /Management Committee
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT
The Case Manager, Crisis Accommodation will generally work with clients in crisis accommodation provided by SAHSSI. They will transition clients to the SAHSSI Outreach Team once they exit crisis accommodation and will hand over the case management of the client to that team.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
Essential:
· Tertiary qualifications in community welfare, social science or related field;
· Strong communication and interpersonal skills especially in crisis situations;
· Demonstrated ability to case manage using an integrated, trauma-informed and strengths based approach and to achieve client outcomes;
· Demonstrated ability to work with individuals and/or families from diverse cultural and language backgrounds;
· Ability to work independently and in a team and effectively manage own workload;
· Report writing skills and computer literacy;
· Knowledge of community agencies and ability to liaise with other organisations;
· Willingness to complete the “Working With Children Check”
· NSW driver’s licence and sound driving record.
Desirable:
· Prior experience in working within the Homelessness (SHS) sector
· Familiarity with family and community support services in the Shoalhaven
· Holder of a current First Aid Certificate (or willing to obtain one).
Prepared by: Approved by:
Date:
ORGANISATION CHART:
Position Description: SAHSSI Case Manager – Crisis Accommodation Page 1 of 6