Housing Worker - Women's Justice Diversion Program

Women's Housing Ltd; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

0.9 EFT

Job summary

Women’s Housing Limited (WHL) is seeking a Housing Worker for the Women’s Justice Diversion Program (WJDP) based in Melbourne. The role involves assessing and planning with women on remand or released from custody to secure housing and navigate the Victorian homeless service system.

You will collaborate with government and SHS agencies, provide housing advice, and uphold trauma-informed, feminist service principles.

Qualifications

• Experience working with women affected by homelessness.
• Experience working with women with multiple and complex needs.
• Ability to work within complex system frameworks such as Housing, Justice and allied services.
• High-level knowledge of the Victorian housing and homeless service systems (IAP/entry point).
• Strong communication, stakeholder engagement and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent administration and record-keeping practices.
• Competent with MS Office and housing management systems.
• Working With Children’s Check and Police Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality housing assessment, planning and support for women re: release from custody.
• Coordinate housing referrals and link clients to homeless service system.
• Develop collaborative relationships with government and non-government agencies.
• Deliver accurate housing advice to help secure safe and affordable accommodation.
• Contribute to policy development and client feedback processes.
• Maintain professional skills and internal/external relationships.

Skills

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Conflict resolution

Advocacy

Administration skills

Tools

Microsoft Office

Housing management systems

Job description

Housing Worker - Women's Justice Diversion Program

Organisation Overview:
Women’s Housing Limited (WHL) is a specialist housing provider with a mission to advocate for the housing needs of women and children and contribute to the growth of affordable housing stock. WHL has a strong reputation for excellence in homelessness support services, housing development, housing management, and provision of client ancillary services.

About the role

The Women’s Justice Diversion Program (WJDP) provides housing assessment, planning, and support to women on remand or serving a short sentence at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre (DPFC) prison. The WJDP is designed to divert women facing homelessness upon release into housing and support pathways to reduce their contact with the justice system.

The WJDP Housing Worker will undertake Initial Assessment and Planning with women at DPFC to implement effective strategies and coordinate support to secure appropriate accommodation on release from custody and link them with the wider homeless service system.

The WJDP team works alongside other funded support programs at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre and in the wider Victorian homeless service system to achieve housing and support goals with clients.

The WJDP and Women’s Services Team provides a feminist approach to service delivery that is trauma informed and consistent with the principles of MARAM (Multi Agency Risk Assessment and Management Framework) and Child Safe Standards.

The position is full time, fixed term to June 30 2027 with possibility of extension pending program renewal.

Key responsibilities:

Support WHL to provide high quality services in compliance with funding and service agreement policies, guidelines and professional standards.

Support the success of IAP services and women leaving prison by helping them secure or maintain safe and affordable housing.

Build collaborative working relationships with government agencies, SHS agencies, family violence services, and other allied support providers to coordinate effective responses to complex service users.

Help women sustain or obtain housing by providing accurate housing advice and referral.

Ensure the continuous improvement of client services by implementing client feedback processes and contributing to the review and development of policies and procedures.

Demonstrate a commitment to the success and continuous improvement of WHL by maintaining effective internal and external relationships, maintaining knowledge of relevant organisational policies, and developing professional skills.

About you:

Experience working with women affected by homelessness.

Experience working with women with multiple and complex needs, such as those affected by criminalisation and/or family violence.

Demonstrated ability to work within complex system frameworks such as Housing, Justice, and/or allied services such as mental health, alcohol and other drugs, etc.

High-level knowledge or demonstrated experience working with the social housing system (VHR - Victorian Housing Register) and the Victorian Homeless Service System, including Initial Assessment and Planning (IAP) or entry point services.

Well-developed communication, stakeholder engagement and conflict resolution skills.

Experience employing strategic advocacy with housing, corrections, and/or allied services.

Ability to work independently, and within internal and external care teams to support vulnerable clients.

Strong administration skills including timely and accurate record-keeping, case notes, reports and correspondence.

Competent digital skills, including Microsoft Office and housing or property management systems

Working With Children's Check

Police Clearance

Additional Information:

The position is subject to EEO exemption and is open to women applicants only.

The WJDP Program works in a hybrid model between head office at 501 Swanston Street, Melbourne and the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre in Ravenhall. Working from home in a hybrid model can be discussed as appropriate and agreed with your manager.

This position is 0.9 EFT

For further information about the role and to obtain a copy of the Position Description, please contact Sarah Sheppard at ••••@womenshousing.com.au .

Applications close 5pm, Tuesday 20th October unless appointments made earlier, so please do not delay in submitting your application.

Applicants must provide their CV and a cover letter addressing the skills and experience relevant to the dot points above via the SEEK portal.