About Our Organisation:

Youth Off The Streets is a not-for-profit youth organisation that provides safety, support and opportunities for young people to build a positive future. We offer crisis accommodation and housing services, alternative high school education, alcohol and other drugs counselling, youth justice support, life skills and employment programs, cultural support and community engagement, among other services. We focus on early interventions that empower young people and strengthen communities.

The Role:

The main function of the role is to undertake case management activities for clients who are involved with or at risk of being involved with the criminal justice system. The program supports young people on bail conditions, pre-release support or exiting custody. Many are from disadvantaged backgrounds, and a disproportionate number are of Aboriginal background. The program aims to reduce the likelihood of the cycle of crime, relapse and reoffending through holistic case management and linking young people with services to address their needs.

Key to the role is effective and holistic assessment to determine the client’s needs and working with the young person in a strengths based approach, to set goals in their case plan. Case work interventions often involve reconnection with family and community, addressing mental health issues, connection to AOD programs, education and employment and housing and homelessness. The case worker will be able to translate these needs into case plans that enable the young person to have the right supports in place, and the opportunity to develop important life and living skills. By creating stability our goal is that they can avoid or prevent cycling through the justice system through better life choices and opportunities. The case worker will implement support approaches that are culturally appropriate and promote the client’s empowerment, autonomy, dignity and independence.

The role will initially be based out of Blacktown and then in Mount Druitt.

Requirements:

You may be required to attend an early intervention program each week.

You may be required to do an evening shift weekly.

You may be requested to start and finish at different YOTS locations for programs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain program caseloads within negotiated timeframes.
• Follow clients’ needs assessment process and matrix to identify client needs and assist them in setting goals and objectives that form their case plan.
• Link clients to services that meet their needs.
• Assist clients in navigating and accessing services.
• Provide information, advice and referral to clients.
• Accurate data capturing utilising assigned data collection systems.
• Develop and deliver group programs and initiatives that will encourage clients to meet their goals and connect with peers.
• Maintain and prepare reports on casework statistics and outcomes.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local interagency and referral and support networks, including government, services, business and community.
• Work with Team Leader on promoting our service to set up inbound and outbound referral pathways.
• Promote youth consultation and participation in internal and external meetings and forums. Contribute to the development of the program, including casework resources.
• Professional representation of the services when dealing with service users and other stakeholders.
• Commitment to completion of annual mandatory training modules
• Exercise due diligence to prevent young people being exposed to harm
• Work in collaboration with team leader to review and evaluate activities and performance to ensure continuous improvement.
• Work with the team leader to determine referral of clients with complex needs to specialised intensive case management.
• Work in collaboration with youth workers and case workers and caseworkers undertaking intensive case management.
• Adhere to and work within YOTS policies and procedures.
• Follow clients’ needs assessment process and matrix to identify client needs and assist them in setting goals and objectives that form their case plan.
• Link clients to services that meet their needs.
• Assist clients in navigating and accessing services.
• Provide information, advice and referral to clients.
• Accurate data capturing utilising assigned data collection systems.
• Develop and deliver group programs and initiatives that will encourage clients to meet their goals and connect with peers.
• Maintain and prepare reports on casework statistics and outcomes.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local interagency and referral and support networks, including government, services, business and community.
• Promote youth consultation and participation in internal and external meetings and forums. Contribute to the development of the program, including casework resources.

Selection Criteria, includes but is not limited to:

Qualifications:

• Graduate 3 year degree; or
• Graduate 4 year degree; or
• Diploma with relevant experience; or
• Relevant certificate with relevant experience.

Experience:

• At least 1 years’ experience in case management of Young People.

Skills and knowledge:

• Demonstrated experience and sound knowledge of case management theory, best practice principles, and case coordination
• Demonstrated ability to utilise referral pathways; apply trauma- and developmentally-informed and strengths based approaches; and to achieve client outcomes
• Demonstrated capacity to work respectfully and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people of diverse cultural backgrounds
• Superior communication skills, including written and verbal presentation skills, diplomatic and effective liaison and interpersonal skills
• Ability to collect, document, evaluate and provide detailed reports on tasks, service delivery and outcomes
• Demonstrated planning, organisational and superior time management skills
• Ability to work flexible hours and work afterhours in assertive community outreach as required
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the principles that underpin a child safe organisation including mandatory child protection procedures
• Have an understanding of adolescent development
• Strong negotiation, conflict resolution, and communication skills. Ability to build relationships and act with sensitivity and understanding.
• Ability to understand issues faced by clients and their families, as well as ways to assist with these issues.
• Ability to apply therapeutic crisis intervention principles in crisis situations.
• Demonstrated ability to advocate on behalf of the Young People to their family and mainstream services
• Ability to manage a case load, in conjunction with following program guidelines and local referral pathways
• Commitment to continual professional development
• Strong understanding of the legislation relevant for the role ie: Child Safe principles, policies and responsibilities
• Awareness of risk factors associated with abuse and neglect of children and young people

What we can offer you:

• A supportive team environment
• Career progression and development pathways
• EAP for yourself and your family
• Salary packaging up to $15,900

To Apply

Please ensure you enclose a copy of your resume with your contact details and cover letter addressing the essential criteria (2 pages maximum).

At Youth Off The Streets, diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our DNA. Together, we continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our people. It fuels our innovation and connects us closer to our customers and the communities we serve.

Youth off The Streets is an EEO Employer and a child safe organisation. YOTS is committed to providing a safe environment where all children and young people are treated with respect and are protected from harm. We have zero tolerance for child abuse.

This is a rare opportunity to join a passionate and high profile not for profit organisation that values the current youth of today and the youth of tomorrow.

The successful candidate will be requested to submit applications for a NSW Working With Children Check and Police Check. You will also be required to have a valid Australian Drivers Licence and unrestricted Australian working rights.

We encourage people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander to apply for this position.