Initial Assessment and Planning Worker

Why join Launch Housing

Launch Housing is an independent Melbourne based community organisation passionately committed to ending homelessness. From providing high quality housing and an innovative range of support, education and employment services, we bring solutions to homelessness under one roof for thousands at risk of, or experiencing the crisis and trauma of homelessness.  With over 400 staff working across 16 locations in metropolitan Melbourne, we combine direct action with advocacy, research and innovation to drive widespread change.

Our people are the backbone of our organisation and supporting their wellbeing and professional development is critical to our ability to help our clients and the community. We value lived experience and diversity in our staff, and provide high-quality training & supervision, wellbeing days, access to an Employee Assistance Program and much much more to ensure your career with us is fulfilling.

Don’t just walk past homelessness.  Join the solution.  

Our permanent and fixed-term employee benefits include:

• Contributing to useful and rewarding work and giving something back to the community
• Wellbeing days, ceremonial leave, carers leave and study leave 
• Flexible working arrangements 
• Purchased leave 
• 17.5% leave loading 
• 8 weeks’ gender neutral paid parental leave after 12 months of service for both the primary and secondary carer
• Training and career growth opportunities across Launch Housing
• A portion of your income can be tax-free by salary packaging your personal expenses
• Additional tax-free salary packaging on dining and accommodation expenses
• Positive, supportive and progressive work environment

About the opportunity:

The Initial Assessment and Planning (IAP) program is the main access point for clients experiencing, or at risk of homelessness, throughout Victoria. The IAP program helps people prevent and end homelessness by providing assessment, planning, prioritisation, accommodation assistance, advice and referrals for additional support.

The IAP program is part of the Launch Housing Homelessness Solutions & Impact portfolio, and consists of three designated Entry Points services at Collingwood, St Kilda and Cheltenham and a small number of Outposted locations.

The IAP Worker works as part of a team consisting of Coordinators, Team Leaders, other IAP and Housing Support & Allocation Workers. The position primarily undertakes initial assessments with people who are experiencing housing crisis, homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness. These assessments are used to then inform planning with the individual or household, which may include referral to emergency accommodation for those in crisis, provision of financial assistance, information, prioritisation, referral, and the completion of housing applications. This will involve working with clients, through both telephone, email and direct face-to-face contact. The position requires a high level of emotional resilience and demonstrated skills in working with people who are marginalized and disenfranchised.

IAP operates as one team across all Entry Point locations and IAP workers may be required to work from time to time from any one of these sites. After successful completion of a probationary period, workers may also be provided the opportunity to work at IAP Outposts, which may include, but not be limited to Thorne Harbour and the Medically Supervised Injecting Room.

Permanent part-time role (68.4 hours per week) based at Richmond.

What you'll be doing:

• Providing client-centred services to persons experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including crisis intervention, assessment, prioritisation, assistance to secure crisis accommodation, assistance to secure or maintain long term accommodation, distribution of financial assistance and linkages to appropriate support services.
• Initiating and maintaining rapport with vulnerable clients using flexible engagement strategies.
• Advocating on behalf of clients with other agencies to ensure access and delivery of services.
• Utilising assessment tools to a high level of fidelity in the identification and prioritisation of people in the most urgent need of program resources
• Advocating to ensure that services are relevant, flexible and accessible to people experiencing homelessness.
• Identifying service gaps and work with other agencies to develop service and housing options.
• Participating in service review and development and identify and share good practice across Launch Housing program areas.
• Identifying improvements in the coordination of Launch Housing’s services.
• Accurately maintaining client files and records in accordance with organisation procedures on a computer case management software system.
• Participating in the overall development of the service and in the development of policies and procedures to underpin the provision of effective and efficient service delivery.
• Actively participating in organisation structures and meetings, including supervision, coaching, and professional development.
• Fulfilling all administrative tasks for the position and undertaking additional administrative duties as required.
• Actively engaging in continuous improvement within the team.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships within the team and Launch Housing.
• Behaving in accordance with all Launch Housing policies and procedures, including the Code of Conduct.
• Upholding the principles of the Child Safe Code of Conduct, ensuring that Child Safe Standards are translated into operational practices at all times.
• Undertaking any other tasks as directed. 

What we're looking for (key selection criteria):

• A tertiary qualification in human services, social work or other relevant discipline, or direct experience in the delivery of services to clients with complex needs relating to homelessness.
• Demonstrated understanding of housing and homelessness policy, context and systems.
• Demonstrated ability in working collaboratively with others towards effective client solutions.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Demonstrated skills and aptitude in working with people with complex needs, and experience in working with people who are marginalised and disenfranchised.
• Demonstrated ability to build positive relationships and communicate with people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
• Well-developed organisational and time management skills with demonstrated capacity to work flexibly and have the ability to manage competing demands.
• Competence in using PC-based office applications and internet.
• Demonstrated commitment to the values of Launch Housing and our mission to end homelessness.

next steps

To submit your application, please click ‘Apply Now’ by the closing date.

For more information, please contact careers@launchhousing.org.au using the subject line: Initial Assessment and Planning Worker enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.