• Permanent part-time position (4 days per week)

Your new role

The Intake and Assessment Practitioner plays a crucial role in the Navigator Program, a service aimed at re-engaging young people aged 12-17 who are experiencing significant school disengagement. The primary responsibility of the position is to manage the initial intake process, triage referrals from the Department of Education (DE) and assess the eligibility and needs of young people referred to the program. This involves initiating contact with the young person and their support network, conducting comprehensive assessments, and identifying the barriers to educational engagement that need to be addressed. The Practitioner will collaborate with the Navigator Team Leader and other relevant staff to develop appropriate service plans and facilitate referrals to additional support services as needed.

Key responsibilities include:

• Triaging and processing up to 35 referrals, engaging with young people and families, and completing initial outreach visits and assessments to identify barriers to educational re-engagement.
• Establishing and supporting a multidisciplinary care team, advocating for young people’s educational rights, and working with schools, DE, VACCA, and other agencies to ensure comprehensive support.
• Conducting ongoing risk and needs assessments, creating service plans, and coordinating referrals to relevant services, while maintaining regular contact with families during the intake phase.
• Promoting the Navigator program to schools and the community, building relationships with stakeholders, and contributing to the development and review of integrated service responses.
• Maintaining accurate case records, completing progress reports, and ensuring timely data entry and documentation in both Uniting and DE systems.
• Adhering to policies, procedures, and governance requirements, participating in mandatory training, and contributing to team and organisational goals, fostering a positive and diverse work environment.

The role requires a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive approach to working with young people and their families, with a focus on providing assertive case management and support to overcome the challenges of school disengagement.

Your skills and experience

Qualifications: Relevant tertiary qualifications in Social Work, Psychology, Child Development, Community Welfare, or equivalent, along with a current Victorian Driver’s License.

• Proven experience working with young people and families impacted by mental health issues, substance misuse, and family violence.
• Strong knowledge of Child Protection and Out of Home Care systems, with expertise in risk assessment and addressing complex needs.
• Experience working with schools and vocational training providers to support educational engagement.
• In-depth understanding of child and adolescent developmental needs and effective intervention strategies.
• Ability to engage and ensure cultural safety for clients from diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, CALD, and LGBTIQ+ communities, and experience working within a multidisciplinary team.

View the position description here.

How to apply

Click APPLY to submit your interest.

If this role sounds like a good fit for you, please apply soon. We'll review applications as they come in and may close the ad early.

For any questions, reach out to Celia Wilmot – Team Leader, Navigator Program on 0479 192 239 for a chat.

Uniting is a child safe organisation and is committed in everyday practice to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children, at all times. As a ‘child safe’ organisation, employment with Uniting is subject to a satisfactory national (and international where relevant) police check and relevant Working with Children Check in your State prior to commencement of any paid or unpaid work and/or participation in any service or undertaking.

Through the recruitment process, we will ask you for personal information. Disclosure is optional, however, it can help us support you better. We invite you to tell us if you identify as Aboriginal, a person with disability, from a diverse background or LGBT+. You will be given an opportunity in the application form to request additional support. We welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can support you.

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