As a residential caseworker you will be working as part of a dynamic team that is providing day to day support and case management for 12-15 year olds who are homeless and residing in the Stepping Stones Youth Accommodation Program.
Stepping Stones provides short term accommodation for young people with a view to working holistically with their families to support the restoration of the young person to the family home.
You will be participating on a 24/7 roster and working closely with the young people in the service to support the development of their independent living skills, engagement with education, social skills and community engagement.
This is a part time 12 month maternity leave contract where you will be working 35 hours a week on a rotating roster and be based in our Residential Home in Leumeah.
Responsibilities:
- Implementing the program’s vision, philosophy and day to day practice framework to meet the needs of young people and their families.
- Providing a safe, healthy physical environment and ensure that the physical and practical needs of the young people are met.
- Actively engaging young people and building rapport with them in a way that is embedded within a trauma informed and neurodevelopmental approach.
- Assessing the ongoing safety and wellbeing of young people and implementing strategies to mitigate any risk posed to the young person.
- Creating a stimulating, attractive and enjoyable, ‘homelike’ environment for young people within the house.
- Working collaboratively with the Stepping Stones team in developing and implementing case plans that target both the young person and their family’s needs, and support their restoration home to their families where appropriate.
- Nurturing the young people’s social and emotional needs and implement therapeutic and behavioural programs as identified and agreed with the Stepping Stones team.
- Supporting and facilitating the educational needs and participation of young people.
- Providing support and facilitating opportunities for the development of young people’s living skills, social skills and community engagement.
- Facilitating house meetings and other mechanisms that are focused on gaining young people’s input into the physical environment, routines and activities in the house.
- Supporting young people to maintain communication and relationships with their family and significant others that promote the young person’s overall wellbeing and transition to home.
- Maintain documentation pertinent to the position, including daily reports and other communication systems and all financial systems (for example, the petty cash register).
About You
- Qualifications in Social Sciences, Welfare, Early Childhood Development, or equivalent and relevant to the field of work.
- Minimum of two years of experience working with vulnerable and at risk young people.
- Demonstrated understanding of the Child Protection legislation and experience working within this legislation.
- Demonstrated experience in managing and responding to young people with challenging behaviours.
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to develop relationships with young people and their families and a commitment to enhancing family connections.
- Ability to work shifts on a rotating roster
- NSW Drivers licence and valid WWCC
Even better:
- Experience working within a trauma informed framework
- Experience working with young people in residential settings
Applications close on Tuesday 14th of July
Employment with Uniting is subject to satisfactory background checks which include a National Police Check and Reference Check.
