ABN: 80 348 538 001 Reg: A0017107L
Postal address: 1st Floor, Ross House
247-251 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 3000
Phone: 9654 7389 Fax: 9654 3407
Country callers: 1800 637 389
Email:
Website: www.oldertenants.org.au
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Housing Support Worker – Intake & Referral (Maternity Leave Position)
Classification: Social and Community Service Worker, Community Development Workers Award 11(b), Class 5.3 of the SCHADS Award.
Terms: The position is full-time until September 2018, then reducing to part time hours. There is a three month probation period.
Hours: 38 hours per week
Funding: Department of Health & Human Services
HOUSING FOR THE AGED ACTION GROUP OVERVIEW:
Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG), is the state-wide organisation of older renters in Victoria across all rental housing types including private rental, public, community and social managed housing, caravan and residential parks, rooming houses, independent living units, and a range of new model older persons’ housing including rental villages, semi-independent living units and supported residential accommodation.
HAAG’s philosophy is that older people should have access to safe, secure and affordable housing. We also advocate that, based on their wealth of life experiences, older people have a right to be involved in the development of ideas, plans and decisions about their housing. To this aim we are a membership based group.
HAAG’s management committee and general members consist of older people who are involved in housing and housing related areas. We work as a group towards fair policies and laws which will provide long term, secure and affordable housing tenure.
HOME AT LAST – Older Persons Homelessness Prevention and Re-Housing Service
Home at Last is funded by the Department of Health & Human Services. Home at Last provides information, advice and referral on housing options for older people who need to find secure and affordable accommodation. The focus of the service is assisting vulnerable older people on low incomes who are at risk of homelessness, particularly in the private rental sector.
The Home at Last service incorporates two main functions: A community education service promoting information to the Victorian community about Home at Last including integrated and ancillary housing support services; and an intake, assessment and referral service that assists older clients with information and advocacy on housing options
Home at Last also incorporates HAAG’s long standing services:
· Outreach Care & Housing Service – Assistance with Care and Housing (ACH) Program (funded by the Federal Department of Health) HAAG’s ACH program helps people maintain their independence, linking them to relevant care services, community groups and health services, as well as assisting them to access appropriate housing options where possible. HAAG’s ACH program has two components, State-wide Intake & Referral Service and the Outreach Support Program.
· Retirement Housing Advice and Support (funded by Consumer Affairs Victoria) Provides specialist retirement advice and advocacy to older people living in retirement villages, rental villages, residential parks and permanent residency in caravan parks. The service includes a secondary consult advice to other workers on retirement housing matters.
POSITION DETAILS:
The Housing Support Intake and Referral worker position sits within the Housing Support team. This position provides comprehensive telephone and in-person support for older low income renters in insecure housing through:
General:
· Provide a telephone intake and referral service
· Provide in-person information, advice and advocacy to older tenants and residents
· Dissemination of housing options information
· Provide referrals to appropriate housing, aged or community care organisations in the person’s geographical area
· Provide assistance into secure long term housing
· Outreach housing support
· Case management and linking into community supports
· Entering data into SHIP client database
Client Services:
· Provide advanced holistic client assessments
· Demonstrate an understanding of older people with medical and psychosocial needs, from care coordination to complex case management
· Maintain case files, documentation and statistics in line with HAL/HAAG data requirements and program objectives
· Liaise with multiple service providers to ensure client needs are met in line with the organisation/service aims and objectives
· Deliver a high level of knowledge and skills in the identified area of speciality
· Provide support and assistance to HAAG members and volunteers
Contribution to Program and Service Development:
· Contribute to policy development, working groups and specific task groups as required
· Contribute to ongoing development of the Housing Support program including participating in development of procedures, planning and reviewing of client services
· In conjunction with the Community Education team, promote HAAG/HAL services through community education events
· Provide housing options information, and housing assistance to older people attending community education events
· Identify research opportunities to improve systems, structures and standards of practice
· Assist in the planning, implement and evaluate innovative programs designed to meet the identified needs of the target group
Accountability
Directly reports to the co-manager
· Attend regular meetings with the co-manager, weekly team meetings, monthly HAAG staff meetings, HAAG management committee meetings where required, and other relevant meetings
· With the co-manager, establish and co-ordinate a work plan with specified service targets and measurable outcomes
· Provide regular data and written reports on work progress to the co-manager
Housing Support Team Responsibilities:
· Treat team members with respect, honesty and dignity
· Display a co-operative spirit within the team
· Take responsibility for contributing to the success of the team
· Work with other team members to generate innovative solutions to obstacles
· Share information and resources to ensure all team members have equal opportunity to information and resources
· Take action to promote a positive team environment
· Assist other team members when they need assistance
Organisational Support:
All HAAG employees are expected to contribute to the ongoing development of HAAG. This includes
· Provide support and assistance to HAAG members and volunteers
· Contribute to, and assist with the running of HAAG events including General Meetings, the AGM, forums and special events
· Contribute articles to the Newsletter and other publications
· Contribute to HAAG’s month radio program
· Other tasks as required
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA:
Essential
· Tertiary degree in Social Work or related discipline or significant industry experience
· Knowledge of the public, community and social housing sector
· Knowledge, understanding and experience of health or community settings
· Empathy with the needs of vulnerable older people
· Demonstrated skills in networking, liaison and the development and maintenance of strong links with relevant service providers and users
· Experience in working with older people and/or with older people experiencing housing difficulty
· High level time management and problem solving skills
· Computer literacy – word processing/data entry skills
· Current Victorian Driver’s License
· Willingness to undergo Police Check
Desirable:
· Experience as a case worker assisting clients in any setting
· Experience of working for a community member-based organisation
· Ability to work with a diverse range of people
· Experience working with volunteers
· Ability to speak a community language other than English