SUPPORTED ACCOMMODATION AND HOMELESSNESS SERVICES–

SHOALHAVEN ILLAWARRA (SAHSSI) POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION:Domestic Violence Case Manager - Illawarra

REPORTS TO:TheCEO - SAHSSI

HOURS:(Full-time) 38 hours per week on rotating shifts (day, afternoon and night)

CLASSIFICATION:Grade4

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

  • Terms and conditions of employment will be in accordance with the Social, Community Home and Disability Services Industry Award (Commonwealth)
  • The Domestic Violence Case Manager will be required to work shift work; day, afternoon and stand up (night shift)
  • The Domestic Violence Case Manager will be required to participate in the on call roster
  • The Domestic ViolenceCase Manager will be required to work from other locations as required

POSITION CONTEXT:

This positionis funded by FACS to enhance existing Specialist Homelessness Services that provide a response for women with or without children who are homeless or at risk as a result of experiencing domestic and family violence.

SAHSSI includes:

  • central administration at Wollongong (current CBD location) with management, finance and administration, intake and referral through a central head office phone numberand online referral, and specialist tenancy manager
  • outreach support in Wollongong, accessible by public transport and delivering outreach support including tenancy management. Support for clients and referrals to and from partner agencies including internally managed supported accommodation, transition properties, partner properties including Housing NSW’s Temporary Accommodation (TA) service in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven
  • supported accommodation to clients in three well established and smoothly run crisis facilities at Keiraville, Lake Illawarra and Nowra
  • single strengthened Management Committee - members include senior staff from legal, real estate, youth, mental health, financial services and marketing sectors

There are 31 members of paid staff (27 full time and4 part time) employed by SAHSSI.

These positions are located between the following sites;

  • Swan Street, Wollongong – Head Office
  • Keiraville Refuge
  • Warilla Refuge
  • Nowra Refuge
  • Temporary Accommodation – Illawarra
  • Temporary Accommodation - Nowra

PURPOSE AND FUNCTION:

  1. To provide client-centred support, information and referral to the clients of our Illawarra/Shoalhaven Domestic Violence Enhancement Program
  2. To undertake assessment andclient-focused trauma-informed case management of all clients in temporary accommodation (TA), including dependent children
  3. To provide support to women to gain approval for products offered by Housing NSW such as Start Safely Subsidy, Private Rental Brokerage, Tenancy Guaranteeor urgent housingas well as other available options including our crisis/transitional properties
  4. The provision of 24/7 intake and support to women and their children who are accommodated in TA either directly by SAHSSI or by Link2Home in other locations
  5. Provide 24/7 outreach support to a woman who has experienced domestic/family violencein the home where the perpetrator has been removed.
  6. To transport clients to view and apply for private rentals and advise Housing NSW once the client has acquired a property
  7. Collaborate with other specialist homelessness services, mainstream service providers and housing providers and promote a no-wrong-door approach to service provision for clients across the District
  8. To positively engage in all aspects of team building
  9. To provide service system development
  10. To represent the Association positively within the local community

This position requires a background in trauma informed assessment and support towomen and children living with and/or escaping domestic violence and requires abilities in assessment and referral; client focused and trauma-informed case work; service networking; effective partnerships; openness to innovation and change; andmanaging a demanding workload.

RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE TO:

The Domestic Violence Case Manager, is employed by SAHSSI Management Committee and is responsible to the Management Committee through theCEOwho provides day to day supervision, direction and support.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Domestic Violence Case Managerwill undertake the following duties:

Client tasks

  1. Provide 24/7 supported accommodation and supportfor women and their children escaping domestic/family violence
  2. Provide client centred and trauma-informed assessment and case planning to all clients and their children to: identify the client’s strengths, risks and needs; plan and co-ordinate a mix of services to meet the client’s needs; and monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the services being delivered to the client
  3. Provide activities to implement the case plans of individual clients, including: information and advice; support, advocacy and counseling; mediation including re-establishment of family links where appropriate; referrals to relevant agencies or specialist services; skills development to help clients achieve outcomes; and the use of brokerage to purchase goods and/or services, including accommodation, for clients
  4. Integrate the client into the community by providing assistance to access: employment; education and training; health services (including mental health); disability and rehabilitation services; children’s support services; income support and accommodation
  5. Working collaboratively with the SAHSSI Crisis and Outreach Case Managers to ensure a positive transition for the clients from ‘temporary accommodation’ to crisis, transitional or other housing to ensure long term sustainable outcomes
  6. Ensure the handover of the ‘temporary accommodationclients’ to the Crisis or Outreach team is smooth and seamless
  7. Develop collaborative relationships with other services e.g.Social Housing providers, Real Estate Agents and other agencies to get results for clients
  8. Participate in community development strategies to address issues impacting on homeless people
  9. Provide mentoring and support to other agencies
  10. Promote community awareness of homelessness as a result of domestic violence and resources to people at risk of homelessness in the wider community
  11. Ensure that all requests by and requirements of clients are dealt with appropriately and in accordance with SAHSSI policies and procedures and relevant legislation

Administration Tasks

  1. Ensure that the policies, procedures and philosophy of the Association are implemented and adhered to
  2. Collect and report data, and referral information as required by the supervisor.
  3. Undertake administrative tasks relating to the care of the clients, e.g. developing and maintaining case notes, correspondence in regard to the client’s welfare, correspondence with government and community organisations.
  4. Keep accurate documentation of staff time sheets and leave
  5. Provide a monthly report to the supervisor giving details of current service delivery and client statistics
  6. Engage in Quality Management System processes and procedures to ensure that SAHSSI meet the requirements of the NSW Homelessness Quality Assurance System
  7. Carry out any administration tasks needed for the effective maintenance of work within the service
  8. Ensure that filing systems are maintained and ensure the security of client files

Service tasks

  1. Undertake supervision with the supervisor as required
  2. Participate, where required in staff development, training, planning/quality management days, Management Committee meetings and team meetings
  3. Ensure the temporary accommodation and its assets are maintained and report any faults or repairs
  4. Ensure rooms are cleaned when a room becomes vacant, this includes washing linen and ensuring the common areas are clean at all times
  5. As a member of the team be involved in any task which is required to successfully run services provided by the Association
  6. Carry out all duties in a pleasant, helpful manner and help the Association present itself to the Community in a positive and professional manner
  7. Abide by all relevant policies and procedure of the organisation, including the WH&S Policy
  8. Comply with any statutory provisions under the (Children & Young People, Care & Protection Act 1998)

Any other duties as directed by the CEO.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

The Domestic Violence Case Managerwill generally work with clients in temporaryaccommodation provided by SAHSSI, other temporary accommodation sites and home visits where there has been a Domestic Violence incident and the perpetrator has been removed. They will transition clients to our crisis or transitional accommodation or other appropriate housing. The support will then be transferred to either the SAHSSI Crisis or Outreach Team.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Essential:

  • Tertiary qualifications in community welfare, social science or related field;
  • Demonstrated experience working with women and children experiencing domestic/family violence;
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills especially in crisis situations;
  • Demonstrated ability to case manageusing an integrated, trauma-informed and strengths based approach andto achieveclient outcomes;
  • Demonstrated ability to work with individuals and/or families from diverse cultural and language backgrounds;
  • Ability to work independently and in a team and effectively manage own workload;
  • Report writing skills and computer literacy;
  • Knowledge of community agencies and ability to liaise with other organisations;
  • Willingness to complete the “Working With Children Check”;
  • NSW driver’s license and sound driving record.

Desirable:

  • Prior experience working within the Homelessness (SHS) sector;
  • Familiarity with family and community support services in the Illawarra/Shoalhaven;
  • Holder of a current First Aid Certificate (or willing to obtain one).

Prepared by:Approved by:

Date:

Position Description: SAHSSI Domestic Violence Case Manager

(Illawarra)Page 1 of 6

Supported Accommodation and Homelessness Services Shoalhaven Illawarra (SAHSSI)

Organisational Chart

Position Description: SAHSSI Domestic Violence Case Manager

(Illawarra)Page 1 of 6