Homelessness Specialist Worker

Welcome to Lutheran Care. We are an energetic, forward thinking and values driven not for profit organisation, providing support to people who need it most. Current programs include emergency relief, financial counselling, family support and education, foster care, housing and family shelter, homelessness services, and refugee services.

In 2020, The South Australian Government announced a significant reform agenda for the homelessness sector. In response, the Toward Home Alliance was formed and in collaboration with the South Australian Housing Authority (SAHA), it was identified that there was a need for transformational change in the way services support people affected by homelessness.

The Toward Home Alliance strategy focuses on shifting homelessness services from crisis management to early intervention and prevention. We recognise that every position within the Toward Home Alliance has a vital role to play in reducing homelessness.

And this is where you come in!

We are looking for a Homelessness Specialist Worker responsible for supporting clients who are ‘first time’ in the homelessness system, including those who are about to become homeless, or returning to the homelessness system after a period of 12 months or more, who are not currently in emergency or short/medium or long term accommodation.

The Homelessness Specialist Worker will enhance the connections clients have with both Toward Home Alliance and other support networks, by providing over the phone information and advice about short and medium term accommodation options, referral services and relentless advocacy that supports best client outcomes.

You will have a high level of interpersonal skills in dealing with people from Cultural, Linguistical and Indigenous backgrounds as well as a knowledge of the homelessness sector and the challenges faced by people who are experiencing homelessness.

In this role, your objectives will be to:

• Communicate effectively via the telephone to engage and establish rapport with clients to achieve their goals through responsive and timely engagement.
• Ensure and maintain privacy and confidentiality for all clients.
• Provide high quality, client centred, strengths-based services to clients using a trauma informed and culturally responsive practice approach.
• Provide homelessness support, ensuring appropriate referrals are allocated for each client which includes support, referral, advice and advocacy.
• Work towards ‘rapid rehousing’ for eligible clients.
• Provide information and support to connect families and individuals with appropriate referral pathways to address issues impacting on secure housing, such as mental illness, substance use, physical health and life skills.

Salary Packaging:

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) allows Public Benevolent Institutions (PBI), such as Lutheran Care, to offer special tax concessions. Through salary packaging, these concessions allow an employee to increase their take-home pay.

To Apply:

For details about Lutheran Care, please visit our website at www.lutherancare.org.au. You can also check us out on our Lutheran Care Facebook page. For a copy of the Job Description, please click on the ‘Download a Job Description’ section at the top of this page.

For any queries regarding this position, please email  careers@lutherancare.org.au

All applications must include a Cover Letter and current Resume. Only applications submitted via Seek, will be accepted. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications will be shortlisted as received and the job advertisement may close without notice.

The successful applicant will be required to undergo a NDIS Workers Screening Check, a DHS Working With Children Check, a Criminal History Check as well as a current Safe Environments for Children & Young People certificate. You must hold a current and unrestricted South Australian Drivers License and possess a registered roadworthy vehicle available for work use (employees reimbursed for work travel). In addition, the successful applicant will be required to provide evidence of COVID-19 vaccination or a medical exemption.

Lutheran Care is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and those from culturally diverse communities. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are encouraged to apply.