RSV Volunteer

About the Opportunity

To assist young people who are experiencing homelessness, or are ‘at risk’ of homelessness, to develop positive pathways towards independence with a focus on employment, education, and training outcomes.

Duties of this role may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Establish rapport with young people in the program.
• Assist MCM Youth Foyer staff in establishing a safe, secure, and healthy living environment by being a positive role model.
• Inform MCM Youth Foyers team of any significant developments that they become aware of concerning young people in the property and maintain honest and open communication with the MCM Youth Foyers Team Leader.
• Establish and maintain appropriate boundaries with the young people, as stated in the ‘Residential Support Volunteer Agreement’.
• Ensure that property damage, maintenance and the need for repairs within the communal spaces and in their own apartment are reported.
• Access out of hours support via MCM Youth Foyers on-call service when the Residential Support Volunteer has a serious concern about client related issues.
• Participate in designated activities with young people and encourage communication, engagement and participation.
• Attend monthly house meetings.
• Provide informal personal support to all young people, emphasizing good communication and capacity to listen.
• Participate in appropriate training programs as provided for all MCM volunteers.
• Young people who join the program are provided stable medium-term accommodation for the 3-year period that they are engaged. This accommodation comes in the form of a fully furnished apartment in one of the Youth Foyer’s 4 sites. Young people are also able to utilise safe communal spaces with available supports in the way of material and food aid as well as the opportunity to engage with Youth Foyer workers, external service workers and other young people in the program.
• Melbourne City Mission has Youth Foyers in 3 locations. These locations are known as The Precinct, Hoddle Street, Lion Garden and H3 Wyndham.  
• Additionally, Melbourne City Mission has a Youth Foyer Outreach program located in Wyndham, aligned within the H3 alliance in Wyndham, with a focus on providing holistic support to young people currently experiencing or at risk of homelessness to obtain stable accommodation and engage in education, employment, and training pathways.

About you

We are looking for someone who has:

• A basic understanding of adolescent safety, stages of development and patterns of behaviour.
• The ability to build strong rapport with the young people and engage with them consistently utilising strength-based approaches.
• Respect and maintain the confidentiality and privacy of the young people, whilst maintaining professional boundaries.
• Communicate effectively with allocated Youth Development Coaches, Team Leader and young people in a timely and appropriate manner.
• We recruit Residential Support Volunteers from all walks of life ranging from working professionals to tertiary students with the requirement that they are eager to make a difference in young people’s lives.
• First Aid certification.
• Knowledge of the ‘Advantage Thinking’ approach and philosophy or willingness to learn.

Benefits of working with MCM include:

• Be a positive support and role model to young people in the MCM Youth Foyers.
• An opportunity to gain practical experiences in the youth community service sector that can contribute towards future job applications and relevant education study units.
• Ongoing supervision and Professional Development training.
• Assist young people to highlight their talents abilities and support their aspirations.
• Residential Support Volunteers are not required to pay rent.

Essential:

• A basic understanding of adolescent safety, stages of development and patterns of behaviour.
• The ability to build strong rapport with the young people and engage with them consistently utilising strength-based approaches.
• Respect and maintain the confidentiality and privacy of the young people, whilst maintaining professional boundaries.
• Communicate effectively with allocated Youth Development Coaches, Team Leader and young people in a timely and appropriate manner.
• We recruit Residential Support Volunteers from all walks of life ranging from working professionals to tertiary students with the requirement that they are eager to make a difference in young people’s lives.
• First Aid certification.
• Knowledge of the ‘Advantage Thinking’ approach and philosophy or willingness to learn.

Screening Criteria:

• National Police check
• Working with Children check and NDIS Worker Screening check or ability to obtain
• Valid Victorian Driver's license
• Right to Work in Australia

Applications for this role will close on 9 June 2026/or Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early.  Please include your current resume and cover letter.
Please review the position description to understand more about the role and responsibilities.  If you have any needs throughout the recruitment process that have not already been catered for, we encourage you to contact recruitment@mcm.org.au to let us know how we can better support you to apply.

About MCM

MCM is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to safety. MCM embraces differences because we know that diversity and inclusion help us to attract, recruit, engage and retain talented people. 
We are a leading not-for profit-for-purpose organisation that offer a broad range of services in Disability, Homelessness, Palliative Care and Education.

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.

Our commitment to Diversity, Inclusion & Equity of Access

At MCM we embrace our differences because we know that diversity helps us to innovate and make the biggest impact possible. Our DEI Strategy supports and drives an inclusive workplace culture. We embrace the learning opportunities that come with authentic commitment to equity of access for all. We particularly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply.