Youth Homelessness Intake and Early Response Worker

Blue Sky; Coffs Harbour; Hybrid; AUD 34,000 - 44,000; Part time

Job summary

Blue Sky Community Services in Groundworks, Coffs Harbour, NSW, seeks a part-time Youth Homelessness Intake and Early Response Worker. The role covers intake, assessment and referrals across LGAs, supporting the Youth Housing Team and SHS pathways.

It focuses on dignity, connection and coordinated service delivery. The position is permanent part-time (15 hours/week) at SCHADS Level 4, based in Groundworks with responsibilities spanning local LGAs.

Qualifications

• Qualif in youth work, community services, social work, welfare, homelessness or related field.
• Experience intake, assessment, triage, referral or case coordination with homeless or at-risk individuals.
• Ability to assess risk including domestic violence, child protection, mental health, substances use and other safety concerns.

Responsibilities

• Work with Youth Housing Team to provide coordinated, no wrong door response.
• Provide first point of contact for young people presenting as homeless or at risk.
• Manage intake of referrals, assess eligibility, urgency, risk and program suitability.
• Conduct initial support assessments and risk screening; refer to crisis supports if needed.
• Make referrals to other SHS, Blue Sky services or community supports as appropriate.
• Coordinate new referrals with case workers and follow-up of participants.
• Source accommodation options or appropriate referrals for urgent needs.
• Support brokerage administration and maintain clear participant records.

Education

Relevant qualification in youth work, community services, social work, welfare, homelessness or related field

Job description

Youth Homelessness Intake and Early Response Worker

Applications must be received before: 09/11/2026 9:00 am

Type: Part Time

For more information about the role:

Contact Aaron Wilson (Program Manager: Families, Young People and Communities) on 0407 598 133

Position Overview:

Blue Sky Community Services is seeking to employ professional and values‑aligned person to join our supportive and friendly team providing a welcoming first point of contact for people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or seeking support through the Youth Housing team. We are seeking a permanent part-time Youth Homelessness Intake and Early Response Worker to join our Families, Young People and Communities Team.

The role manages intake and referral pathways, undertakes initial assessment and risk screening, determines eligibility and priority, and redirects people to appropriate internal or external services where the Youth Housing Team or a Specialist Homelessness Service (SHS) is not the right pathway.

The role also supports accurate records, reporting, brokerage administration and safe, participant‑centred service delivery.

This role is integral to the broader support ecosystem, helping individuals navigate their recovery journey with dignity, purpose, and connection.

The position will be based in Groundworks, Coffs Harbour with the role working across the Bellingen, Coffs Harbour and Nambucca Heads Local Government Areas (LGAs). This position is a permanent part-time position at 15 hours per week. The position is classified at Level 4 under the SCHADS Award.

The Youth Homelessness Intake and Early Response Worker will:

• Work collaboratively with the Youth Housing Team and other Blue Sky services to provide a coordinated, no wrong door response.
• Provide first point of contact for young people who present as homeless, at risk of homelessness or seeking SHS support.
• Build trusting, respectful and professional relationships with customers, families, guardians and support networks where appropriate.
• Manage intake of referrals, including assessment of eligibility, urgency, risk, duty of care and program suitability.
• Conduct initial support assessments and risk screening, including referral to crisis intervention or emergency supports where required.
• Make referrals to other Specialist Homelessness Services, Blue Sky services, or community supports where the person is ineligible for the Youth Housing Team or another pathway is more appropriate.
• Work with case workers to coordinate new referrals, prioritisation, allocation and follow-up of participants.
• Source accommodation options or make appropriate referrals in response to urgent presenting need, in line with program guidelines.
• Support case workers with brokerage administration, including clear records and timely information, in line with applicable guidelines.
• Maintain accurate, clear and concise participant files, databases and reporting information in accordance with Blue Sky Community Services policies, procedures and funding requirements.
• Undertake administrative tasks and projects allocated by the Team Leader or Program Manager of the Families, Young People, and Communities team.

Who we are looking for:

– Relevant qualification in youth work, community services, social work, welfare, homelessness or a related field, and/or equivalent demonstrated experience in a relevant community services setting.

– Demonstrated experience providing intake, assessment, triage, referral or case coordination support to young people and/or people experiencing homelessness, disadvantage or complex needs.

– Demonstrated ability to identify, assess and respond appropriately to risk, including homelessness, family and domestic violence, child protection concerns, mental health concerns, substance use and other presenting safety issues.

– Strong engagement and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport quickly, respond calmly to people experiencing distress, and maintain clear professional boundaries.

-Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgement, make decisions within role authority, and seek guidance or elevate concerns where risk, complexity or uncertainty is identified.

-Strong organisational and time-management skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities, follow-up actions, appointments, referrals and waitlist processes.

-Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate, timely and professional case notes, assessments and other client records in accordance with organisational and funding requirements.

– Ability to work collaboratively with internal teams and external services to coordinate referrals, share relevant information appropriately and support continuity of care.

About the Families, Young People and Communities Team

The Families, Young People and Communities team works with young people and their families, parents and carers to ensure young people are safe and connected, and parents are supported to strengthen family relationships, providing a wide range of support options for individuals, groups, and families. The team also works with local communities and in partnership with other sector services by delivering training to family and community services across the Mid North Coast.

We are an inclusive employer

We believe that the makeup of our workplace should reflect the diversity of the communities we work within. We therefore strongly encourage people with diverse backgrounds and cultures, and people who have lived experience of disability, to apply to work with us.

We want you to bring your best self to this application process. If you feel you may require an adjustment during the recruitment process, please contact our Inclusive Communities Manager at [e-mail] or [phone] to discuss.