TITLE REPORTS TO DEPARTMENT CLASSIFICATION Youth Worker Passages Coordinator Specialist Community Services ABOUT US The St Vincent de Paul Society was founded by Frederic Ozanam in 1833, a 20 year old student who wanted to respond in a practical way to the hardship he witnessed in France. Fondly known as Vinnies and first established in Perth in 1865, the Society strives to serve people experiencing disadvantage in our community as part of a federated model in Australia while being present in 149 countries around the world. Our core work is our emergency relief program, provided through our large volunteer member base, which addresses the needs of people predominately in their own homes with respect, compassion and hope. The Society also supports Western Australians through our retail and depot operations, recovery-focused mental health services, a range of services to prevent or alleviate homelessness, provision of housing, support for young people, financial counselling and migrant and refugee services, while advocating for the people we assist and encouraging a greater understanding of social justice issues. WHAT WE DO Specialist Community Services is a special works of the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVDPWA). The Society is a lay Catholic organisation with a large membership, volunteer and staff base that works to shape a more just and compassionate society. Specialist Community Services contributes to this work by providing high quality professional services in the fields of homelessness and mental health. The Specialist Community Services supports people with a lived experience of severe and enduring mental illness, many of whom also have experiences of homelessness, to rebuild their lives through a recovery based program. The three-tier accommodation service offers high support, shared house and independent living options with support from a professional team of support staff. Passages provides support to homeless young people through resource centres based in Northbridge and Mandurah. The centres provide basic needs, advocacy, information, referrals and workshops, a range of visiting specialist services and have the capacity to provide follow up support through a mobile youth worker. Passages also has a transitional accommodation service attached to its Northbridge service. Passages works with young people using a strengths-based approach grounded in the Youth Work Code of Ethics. PURPOSE OF THE ROLE Youth Workers are based at each of the sites (Peel and Northbridge) and have the support of a Coordinator based at each site. The service endorses the Youth Work Code of Ethics identifying young people as the primary client, using a transparent and trusting relationship as pivotal to the change process. The work is grounded in principles of empowerment, working with young people to pursue their goals, interests and rights, and having confidence in their capacity to make decisions about their own future. Review date: 1/12/2017 Version number: 1.0 1
Passages acknowledges the complexity of young people s needs, their history of trauma and is committed to offering a flexible in a safe environment that recognises that young people may need support of varying intensity and duration. OUR VALUES IN PRACTICVE Our Values in Practice are at the core of everything we do. Commitment Approach everything we do with a positive and professional attitude, taking pride in getting the best results for the organisation. Compassion Being aware of, and responding to the needs of others, providing support and preserving and upholding the Society s mission. Respect Being non-judgemental and open to the views, skills, knowledge and ideas of others. Integrity Upholding the values of the Society and approaching all relationships with honesty and trust. Empathy Being sensitive and understanding to the needs of others and offering support where we can. Advocacy Acting on behalf of others to influence, inspire and create positive change. Courage Lead by example in all we do and encourage growth in ourselves and others. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Service Delivery Provides strengths-based, trauma-informed service to young people that is grounded in the Youth Work Code of Ethics Creates a safe place for young people to access resources and individually tailored support through: - considering their needs in an individualised and strengths based approach - the development and maintenance of professional and trusting relationships - promoting informed choice through information provision, meaningful referrals and advocacy - facilitating a range of intentional conversations and informal interactions with young people on an individual and group basis to empower them to identify their goals and address their needs - utilising a range of tools to assist young people to explore their goals and plans - assisting and supporting young people to overcome any barriers to meeting their goals - planning and delivering workshops and activities that add value to young people s lives through skill development, information provision, creative expression and positive achievements Ensures that all services are delivered in accordance with relevant legislation and Passages operational policies and procedures Ensures knowledge and compliance with all Passages policies, procedures and legislative requirements as they relate to record keeping and data collection specifically relating to privacy and confidentiality principles Prepares timely, strengths based handover documentation Maintains client information management systems in accordance with Passages policies and procedures, auditing and data reporting requirements Review date: 1/12/2017 Version number: 1.0 2
Prepares thoughtful and well written reports reflecting achievements, challenges, exceptions and actions if required Adopts a team approach to support the work, cooperate closely with team members in order to ensure continuity of support and provision of a high quality service to young people Actively participates in reflective practice through team meetings, decision making processes, service evaluation, planning and development activities Assists the team at the other location by providing relief cover, if needed Undertakes additional duties during staff absences within reason and acquired competencies. Engages in regular formal supervision and reflective practice Establishes and maintains a network of professional relationships through respect, integrity and consistency that will enhance outcomes for young people Represents the organisation in a positive and professional manner when liaising with the sector and community including people who access the service, other service providers, key stakeholders and the local community. Continuous Improvement Actively promotes the philosophy of continuous improvement and participates in the continuous improvement Program Actively promotes and participates in OSH; identifies ways to mitigate risks and ensures safety within work space at all times Develops a professional development plan (with manager) and is proactive about achieving the agreed objectives Attends all training sessions relevant to the role and/or service requirements Adherence to Quality Assurance and Learning Frameworks. Individual Commitment Actively embraces and integrates the Society s Mission, Vision and Values in Practice into the role, and models appropriate behaviours Conforms to the Society s conditions of employment; code of conduct; policies and procedures; and relevant legislation and standards Demonstrates a commitment to ongoing personal and professional development. KEY OUTCOMES Clients are supported, well informed and empowered to make choices regarding their individual needs and journey Youth Workers engage with clients to identify barriers and determine interventions and referral points to appropriate services Workshops are well planned and delivered regularly to address collective needs, accessible to a varied range of capability and learning styles Clients are provided with a high quality service, delivered in a professional manner that meets their expectations All services provided to clients meet relevant legislative and quality standards, are in line with all Passages policies, procedures and legislative requirements, and are delivered in a professional manner. Review date: 1/12/2017 Version number: 1.0 3
KEY COMPETENCIES Workplace and personal effectiveness Reflects and improves own practice Manages workplace health and safety Contributes to team effectiveness Manages legal and ethical compliance Client centred support Develops service programs Understands the impact of sociological factors on clients Implements trauma informed care Assesses and supports independence and wellbeing Adopts a client focused case management approach Specific client group service delivery Works with people with mental health issues Provides recovery orientated mental health services Works with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness Works respectfully with young people Provides appropriate services to young people Collaborative relationships Develops workplace communication strategies Manages and promotes diversity Supports colleagues Potential Qualification CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services JOB REQUIREMENTS SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE Essential At least two years experience working with homeless and at-risk young people Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field or extensive relevant experience complemented by quality in-service training Knowledge of the Youth Work Code of Ethics and capacity to translate this into work practices on a day to day basis. Desirable Demonstrated ability to operate as an effective team member, with highly developed conflict resolution and interpersonal skills. Good written and verbal communication, including the ability to prepare concise and relevant written reports, maintain files and data requirements, and the capacity to represent the service at both an agency and community level Knowledge of and an ability to access a range of relevant community resources, particularly in the youth and homeless sectors. OTHER REQUIREMENTS Federal Police Clearance and Working with Children Check Senior First Aid Driver s Licence Copy of Qualifications (as required) Permanent Residency/Australian Citizenship documentation. Review date: 1/12/2017 Version number: 1.0 4
CERTIFICATION I have received a copy of the job description and understand the requirements of the position. Signature: Date: St Vincent de Paul Society (WA) Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer Review date: 1/12/2017 Version number: 1.0 5