Position Title
/ Social Worker – Interim Response Worker
Classification & Stream
/ Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award Level 5
Division
/ Crisis Services Network
Reports to
/ Crisis Services Program Manager
Date
/ December 2016
Primary Purpose of the job
/ To deliver a high quality interim response to clients with complex needs and/or in housing crisis and who present at the Crisis Contact Centre, Access Health and Entry Point/Housing Services, and require assistance with long term housing and a support plan.
About the Crisis Contact Centre andthe Crisis Services Network
/ A core program within the Salvation Army Crisis Services Network, the Crisis Contact Centre (CCC) in St Kilda is a generalist service that offers a 24hr, Statewide crisis response to people of all ages. It is open for face-to-face assistance, on a drop-in basis, from 9am until 11pm every day of the year (inc public holidays), and offers a telephone-based response 24/7.
The CCC is a high volume service that assists over 9000 households a year, and while many are at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness, clients of the service present with a broad range of needs. Immediate assistance may include financial assistance for emergency housing, food vouchers and other material aid, information, advocacy and planning, as well as referral to specialist supports in relation to housing, family violence, alcohol and other drug use and mental health.
The CCC also incorporates an Interim Support and Linkage Program (ISLP), which provides short term intensive assistance for individuals and families to develop long term housing and other support plans in conjunction with a wide range of community-based support services.
About The Salvation Army Southern Territory
/ The Salvation Army International Mission Statement
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human need in His name without discrimination.
The Salvation Army Australia Southern Territory’s Mission and Values
Mission: Transforming lives, Caring for people, Making disciples and Reforming society
Values: Human Dignity, Justice, Hope, Compassion, Community and Diversity.
Expected Outcomes
/ Client Service
  • Clients receive services in a practical, flexible, timely, respectful and non-judgmental way.
  • Clients are appropriatelyassessed and are assisted to access internal services and external services where appropriate.
  • Provide an interim response and short -term outreach support to people with housing access and sustainability needs.
  • Provide support focused on long term housing stability
  • Develop an effective relationship with clients to assist them to deal with issues related to their experience of crisis and homelessness
  • Assist clients to identify and secure suitable accommodation, including crisis accommodation, transitional housing, community rooming house, private rental accommodation (using brokerage funds where available) and public housing
  • Maintain a client focus, and ensure client’s interests and needs are the primary concern
  • Assist clients to prepare submissions, applications and other documentation in relation to housing, including public housing applications
  • Advocate on behalf of clients with other organisations, government departments
  • A culturally competent service is maintained for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
  • People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds feel respected and included.
  • People with disability feel respected and included.
  • People who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex feel respected and included.
  • Clients for the co-located Family Violence Services are assisted to access the Family Violence Services staff.
Networks and Referral
  • Facilitate supported referrals for clients to specialist support services such as mental health, drug & alcohol, counseling and other, where necessary and appropriate
  • Has up-to-date knowledge of and works collaboratively with other program areas within Crisis Services
  • Attend relevant network meetings and represent the agency in specific working groups
  • Develop links with other networks and community services in order to assist clients to access relevant resources and expand their network of community support.
  • Clients receive access to appropriate services internally and externally
Team Membership
  • Team meetings are contributed to, and minutes and chair duties are completed when required.
Administration
  • Telephone calls, faxes, emails and in-person queries are tended to and resolved where possible, and referred when necessary.
  • Complete, succinct, objective and non-judgmental case notes are recorded when appropriate.
  • Case files are up-to-date and accurate.
  • Record client information and data in accordance with agency and funding body requirements
  • Resources for clients are managed in a responsible, accountable and equitable way.
Professional Standards
  • Knowledge and skills are improved and updated via supervision and professional development.
  • Participate in training as identified
  • Professional boundaries, confidentiality and privacy are maintained.
  • Shifts are attended reliably and punctually.
  • Professional standards and legislative and regulatory requirements are upheld.

Scope
/ The Interim Support & Linkage Program (ISLP) has been established in response to clients who have multiple presentations at The Salvation Army Crisis Contact Centre, as they have been unable to access the necessary support and housing responses. This program will provide intensive housing support for up to 6 weeks - this may take many forms ranging from direct task based service delivery, assistance to engage with housing and support services, and case coordination.
The ISLP case workers engage with clients around developing a clear picture of both immediate and longer-term needs and priorities, and the development of a plan to aid access to required supports and other resources. ISLP workers will also offer capacity to co-ordinate referral and linkage to address the range of needs identified by clients of the service – this may include (but is not limited to) supports in relation to mental health, AOD, family violence, disability, legal and financial issues.
Qualifications and Experience
/ Degree qualification in Social Workor a health-related field and relevant sector experience is consideredessential.
Capabilities
/
Specialist Competencies
Client assessment / Uses high level assessment skills to gather and analyse information; uses appropriate risk models to assess levels of risk, harm and well-being, including immediate risk; identifies and prioritises appropriate actions including referral; undertakes continuing evaluation of client needs
Building client relationships / Establishes and maintains appropriate boundaries; develops and implements communication strategies tailored to presenting clients and needs; builds positive relationships with clients
Case management / Supports clients to set and achieve goals through establishing and monitoring a case management plan; ,maintains knowledge of the range of resources and services available according to the needs of the client; reviews, assesses and reports progress against case management plan
Housing/homelessness / Demonstrates knowledge of housing sector; ability to understand and respond to the needs of individuals experiencing housing/homelessness issues
Personal Attributes
Collaborative / Treats others with dignity & respect; encourages and cooperates with others to achieve common goals; Inspires trust and confidence
Resilient / Remains calm, focused and maintains perspective when faced with change, crisis and difficulty; does not give up or get disheartened when faced with obstacles; displays an optimistic approach to work; is flexible
Innovative / Generates options and ideas; finds ways to work better and smarter; is open to change and alternatives
Outcome focused / Aims for optimum outcomes; sets clear goals and manages time to achieve key outcomes; is proactive and self-motivated; needs minimal direct supervision
Client Focused / Committed to and acts for well-being of internal and external clients; ensures needs of clients remain key focus
Inclusive / Respects difference in all its forms; recognises the rights of others; is non judgemental
Job Competencies
Service Delivery / Looks for ways to exceed client expectations; respectsand adheres to boundaries and limits of own role and capabilities; advocates and negotiates effectively for clients; provides service appropriate to needs
Interpersonal dynamics and communication / Regulates own behaviour; listens actively; speaks with courtesy; adapts style to audience
Administration / Completes accurate case notes, reports and data; uses technology and software applications effectively in accordance with task requirements
Team dynamics / Engages and contributes to team activities including discussions; contributes to team spiritand maintains positive team culture
Continuous Improvement / Contributes to evidence based practice; reflects on practice; identifies opportunities for improvement; acts to implement improvement
Requirements of the role
/
  • A national police record check.
  • A current and valid Working with Children Check.
  • A current Victorian Drivers licence.

Signatures
/ Employee Name: / Signature / Date
Manager Name: / Signature / Date

Title: Generic PD Case Manager Lvl 5ID: TER_PEO_HUR_FOR_Generic_PD_CM5_V10

Review Due: April 2018Page 1 of 5