Wadamba Wilam SEWB Worker

About the Organisation

The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) was established in 1973 to address the specific medical needs of Victorian Aboriginal communities. 2023 marked a landmark year as VAHS proudly celebrated its 50-year of providing a comprehensive range of medical, dental, allied health and social services for our community. 

 As well as providing a variety of medical services, VAHS is committed to supporting the well-being of the community through contributions to community events and activities. VAHS is also committed to assisting research into the ongoing needs of the community. 

VAHS is a child safe organisation, committed to child safety and wellbeing, and recruits’ staff in accordance with the Child Safe Standards Victoria.

About the Opportunity

The role will work collaboratively with the three partners in the overall service response to provide health, housing, rehabilitation & recovery support to Aboriginal people with multiple needs who are homeless or at high risk of homelessness in the cities of Darebin and Whittlesea.

The Wadamba Wilam service is a partnership of Neami National, UnitingCare ReGen, the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) and the Northern Area Mental Health Service (NAMHS). The team offer a holistic, Social and Emotional Wellbeing focused, intensive outreach service to Aboriginal people aged 16 years and over in the Cities of Darebin and Whittlesea with multiple needs, including a severe mental illness and who are homeless or at high risk of homelessness.

Key responsibilities

The role involves building trusting relationships with clients and providing practical support to help them develop independent living skills. Using a strengths-based approach, you will assess mental health, set goals, and collaborate on rehabilitation plans using the Collaborative Recovery Model (CRM). You will also facilitate group rehabilitation programs and work closely with clinical case managers and community staff to support client engagement and accommodation. Involving carers and family in the service plan, maintaining data on client contacts and resources, and engaging in reflective practice are key duties. Compliance with mandatory requirements and promoting confidentiality and VAHS philosophy is essential.

Key Selection Criteria

To be considered for this role you must have the following:

• The capability and engagement to understand the philosophy and principles of Aboriginal Community Control and transforming it into practice. 
• Demonstrated capability to achieve the key responsibilities.
• Demonstrated commitment to Health, Safety and Wellbeing of self and others and Child Safety. 
• A sound understanding of the issues surrounding homelessness and a commitment to working with people who are disadvantaged within the community.
• An ability to work sensitively and effectively with people who are homeless and in housing crisis.
• An understanding of the specialist homelessness system in the northern metropolitan region including current forms of housing assistance.
• Relevant health and welfare related qualifications preferred.

How to Apply

Please send your application, which must include a cover letter, resume and responses to the selection criteria, via [email protected] before Wednesday 9pm, 1 January 2025.