Outreach Wellbeing Case Worker

About the organization

The Hester Hornbrook Academy (HHA) is an Independent School, run by Melbourne City Mission (MCM), that provides programs for young people who have or are at risk of, disengaging with education. We deliver the VCAL at Foundation, Intermediate and Senior level and offer our students access to a range of VET courses. The Hester Hornbrook Academy operates from multiple locations across Melbourne, with each class supported by an Educator and a Youth Worker who work in partnership to deliver the education program and support our students. Our students are aged between 15 and 25 and are referred to the school from a range of Community Service providers and mainstream schools. 

The young people who attend HHA may present with multiple barriers to engaging in education, including challenging behaviours. Students present with a wide range of academic abilities and both Educators and Youth Workers work together to support students to achieve the goals that they set for themselves and reach towards their academic potential.  

Find out more about us!

About the role

This role will support number of students at any given time providing direct outreach wellbeing support in classroom settings known as workshops. These workshops are designed and facilitated in partnership with Hester Hornbrook Academy educators. You will be a collaborative staff member working with a team of educators and youth workers supporting disengaged young people to build confidence to achieve their education goals. 

A key component of this role is to work closely with students who have been identified as not yet classroom ready, create individual education plans and work towards supporting students to build confidence, resilience and skills toward reintegration back into a classroom setting. The successful applicant will form part of the student wellbeing team and will be the primary contact for young people prior to reintegration into a classroom setting.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Actively following up enrolments for eligible referrals to Hester Hornbrook Outreach Wellbeing Program and complete the required enrolment process. 
• Provide a flexible, holistic and tailored outreach wellbeing response to young people enrolled in Hester Hornbrook Academy. A key component of the program is reintegrating young people back into a classroom setting through individualised wellbeing support and workshops. 
• Work alongside Hester Hornbrook Educator in classroom settings known as workshops in line with the VCAL curriculum and work collaboratively with the Educator to support educator tasks on outreach.
• Work and comply with Hester Hornbrook Academy and Melbourne City Mission’s policies and procedures. Where applicable to comply with Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) statutory requirements. 

Skills & experience include but are not limited to:

• Relevant qualification and or demonstrated extensive experience in Youth Work, Social Work, Community Development.
• Demonstrated experience and capacity to provide effective individualised wellbeing support to young people who have complex barriers to education engagement. 
• Knowledge of the issues that contribute to education and training disengagement experienced by young people. 
• Knowledge of DHHS systems, legislation and ability to comply with DHHS standards.
• Ability to work within a team and with minimal supervision.
• Strong organisational and time management skills with the ability to prioritise tasks.

Download position description for the full duties and key selection criteria.

Benefits

We offer a competitive remuneration package including an attractive salary, access to tax-effective salary packaging arrangements and supportive work/life balance provisions. MCM recognises the importance of investing in the training, learning and development of our employees.

How to apply

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply. 

Applications should include a current CV, Cover Letter and address the key selection criteria.

Applications to be sent via email.

Applications close at 5pm on 10 December 2019. We reserve the right to interview prior to the closing date. 

As part of MCM’s recruitment and selection process, applicants will be required to undergo a pre-employment safety screening checks process. Successful appointment to a position will be subject to, but not limited to, the following checks: National (and International if applicable) Police Check, Victorian Employee Working with Children Check, Right to Work in Australia, current professional registration, and current and valid driver license. All costs associated with safety screening checks with the exception of National Police Check will be at applicants’ expense.

Our commitment to diversity

At MCM, we embrace differences in gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, religion and sexual orientation. We know that diversity and inclusion helps us to attract, recruit, engage and retain a team of talented people. If you require specific support to apply for this position, please advise the recruiting manager whose contact details are listed in the advertisement. We will work with you to identify the best way to assist you. 

Our commitment to safety

MCM is committed to the safety of its clients and employees, taking a zero tolerance approach to violence within the workplace and abuse, including child abuse and abuse of people with disability. All employees are required to comply with the Child Safe Standards.