KEY FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION

As a Home Stretch Transition Coach, you will provide 1:1 professional support, guidance and case coordination to young people transitioning from Out-of-Home-Care, offering them an extension of support and resources to the age of 21 years.

This will include:

• developing a young persons’ natural networks and assisting them to build and maintain connection to culture, country, family and community supports

• offering and brokering access to a safety net of financial support and resources through the Home Stretch WA service offer

• providing tailored support services using a culturally safe and strengths-based approach and case coordination that is consistent with the Home Stretch WA Transition Coach Practice Principles

• work collaboratively with relevant stakeholders including the Department of Communities’ Child Protection staff, foster families, carers, the young person’s kin, community, and people identified as significant in their lives

Your approach will be trauma informed and culturally secure. You will ensure the right to self-determination drives your practice, while promoting the wellbeing of young people.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1 Support (service delivery)

The Transition Coach will:

• Work flexibly, on an outreach basis, to provide quality individualised support in line with the Home Stretch WA Model, incorporating approaches that are:

culturally safe

person centred

strengths based

trauma informed

• Deliver accurate information about Home Stretch WA to prospective young people and Department of Communities’ staff and other Out-Of-Home-Care service providers.

• Interview and assess young people who have been referred to Home Stretch WA to build a holistic understanding of their support needs.

• Provide regular, individual mentoring and coaching to young people to support them to develop the skills, connections, and self-confidence they require to achieve independence and stable living arrangements.

• Support young people to develop Staying On Agreements with their current or previous foster or family carers, ensuring that they can continue on in stable living arrangements.

• Assist young people to find and maintain safe and stable housing, using mainstream resources and the Home Stretch WA Housing Allowance, exploring a broad range of options within a young persons’ natural networks, community housing and private/public housing opportunities.

• Support young people to:

develop and/or maintain strong cultural connections

find and maintain appropriate education, training, and employment opportunities

find and maintain stable accommodation

access services relevant to meet their individual needs

increase their knowledge and skills to transition to independence

access recreational and social networks in the community to build connectedness and social support.

support to access Invest In Me Brokerage Funding

• Provide strong advocacy for young people, work respectfully and in partnership with key internal and external stakeholders, including: Leaving Care services; foster carers; broader community members; Department of Communities’ Home Stretch project team, Leaving Care team and other district staff where necessary.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with Child Protection District Offices, spending time in designated Districts to strengthen referral pathways for young people.

2.2 Culture

The Transition Coach will:

Provide support to young people in relation to family finding and mapping, reunification planning and contact with biological family. This may include obtaining support from Transition Coach (50d) positions, Staying On Facilitators and the organisation’s cultural support unit.

Support young people to understand and develop their connections to culture, country, community and family.

Maintain an understanding of contemporary issues in Aboriginal culture, in the context of kinship, community and the community services sector.

Observe and respect cultural protocols within the organisation.

Support the embedding of a Home Stretch WA Model’s approach to Cultural Practice across the program.

2.3 Collaboration

The Transition Coach will:

Attend and participate in team and staff meetings, including presenting cases for consultation and discussion.

Contribute to the development/improvement of effective systems and practice that will better support and enable young people to access the resources available to them.

Maintain a strong commitment to the principles that underpin the service model and ensure that young people’s experiences and expertise informs the refinement and continuous improvement of the program.

2.4 Innovation

The Transition Coach will:

Contribute to the Knowledge Hub established by the Home Stretch WA Community of Practice, sharing practice ideas and knowledge with other providers across the network.

Seek opportunities to develop and improve both the skills of team members and the services provided.

2.6 Administration

The Transition Coach will:

Comply with the organisation’s policies and procedures and practice within the guidelines provided.

Follow the Invest In Me practice guidelines and keep accurate records of Invest In Me Brokerage spending.

Ensure electronic records and case management data is maintained to the organisation’s standards and meets legislative requirements.

Exhibit accountability, professional integrity, and respect consistent with the organisation’s Values, Code of Conduct and the Youth Work Code of Ethics.

Participate in emergency management and response duties.

3. MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND QUALITIES

Tertiary qualification in related field or at least three years of relevant experience

Demonstrated experience in similar role in the Out-of-Home Care Sector

Strong understanding and knowledge of Aboriginal culture and the ability to work with Aboriginal young people, families and communities

Strong understanding of the experiences of young people in the Out-of-Home Care system

Solid understanding of youth housing and accommodation systems

Demonstrated experiences in risk assessment and safety management

Previous experience in case management role

Strong understanding of policies governing the Out-of-Home-Care Sector

Sound knowledge of trauma, attachment and neurobiology frameworks and theories

Substantial experience in the area of child abuse and/or in working with traumatised children

A current first aid certificate or willing to obtain one

Extensive knowledge of child welfare and child protection and relevant legislation.

Understanding of child advocacy and related areas.

A sophisticated understanding of the complexity of the service system

A current WA drivers licence and ability to travel as per the requirements of the role and organisation

A current working with Children’s check or the ability obtain one

Clearance of national police check and Department Record Check & Criminal check

4. PREFERRED SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

Ability to assist Aboriginal young people to develop independent living skills

Ability to be innovative and flexible, demonstrative initiative and work effectively under pressure

Strong organisational skills, with ability prioritise tasks and consistently apply effective time management

Ability to navigate complex situations and make informed decisions with minimal supervision

Demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively and the capacity to negotiate and liase with volunteers, including careers, departments of communities, other agencises and the community.

Eligibility for membership of the relevant professional association.

Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively and positively within a team environment.

Capacity to articulate and relate theory to practice in a training environment.

Ability to understand and manage the complexities inherent in working in an out of home care setting, including flexibility in meeting the needs of carers and the care team.

Personal values align with e values of Karla Kuliny

Why Join Us?

Be part of a collaborative and passionate team making a real difference in people’s lives.

Work within a values-driven, child-safe organisation.

Competitive salary in line with the SCHADS Award 2020

Opportunities for ongoing professional development.

Supportive leadership and inclusive workplace culture.

How to Apply

If you’re passionate about supporting young people leaving care, we want to hear from you.

Click ‘Apply Now’ and submit your CV and a brief cover letter addressing the key criteria.

For further information about this role or a full description, please contact Mari-Anna Gibson at [email protected]