Overview
Rebuilding Shattered Lives - Supporting people of refugee background to recover from torture and other-traumatic events
Role details
* A newly created, full-time, 24-month fixed term position
* Based at Fountain Gates Secondary College & FH Dandenong
* Salary of $100,776 + Super + NFP Salary Packaging + Leave Loading
Your Impact
The Youth Engagement and Support Worker (YES Worker) is situated in the Education and Early Years (EEY) program under Foundation House's Community and Sector Capacity Building (CSCB) program area. CSCB supports the development, growth and empowerment of people and communities from refugee backgrounds to recover from pre-arrival trauma and resettle positively, strengthening communities across Victoria.
Foundation House participates in the Victorian Government's Early Intervention Officers in Schools (EIOS) pilot initiative by placing a YES Worker in Fountain Gate Secondary College with a focus on supporting boys in Years 7-9 with backgrounds from Afghanistan. The key objective of the EIOS initiative is to support at-risk children and young people to remain engaged in education; the Victorian Government's EIOS Guidelines set the parameters for implementation of the program.
The Role
The role emphasizes youth work approaches that strengthen belonging, participation and educational engagement for children and young people from refugee backgrounds. The role works collaboratively with the school's leadership, Wellbeing team, staff, families, community organisations and Foundation House programs to support student engagement in education and respond to barriers affecting participation and wellbeing.
The YES Worker provides direct individual case management to children and young people at risk of, or in, contact with the Youth Justice system, to maximise their engagement with education – with a focus on improving school attendance, strengthening resilience, prosocial behaviours, sense of belonging and peer relationships.
Key responsibilities
* Work with children and young people to develop measurable goals/plans for the EIOS Program and deliver support through individualised approaches to meet needs.
* In consultation with school leadership and Wellbeing team, ensure the school has appropriate supports and interventions.
* Make referrals or propose options to the school, to services and agencies that provide further specialist support (housing, drug and alcohol supports, cultural groups, etc) ensuring visibility to the school.
* Advocate on behalf of the child or young person for key services identified; assist with applications for accommodation/housing or other welfare needs.
* Provide capacity building to school staff to identify and support children and young people experiencing intersecting vulnerabilities and at risk of Youth Justice involvement to maximise ongoing engagement with education.
* Advise the school on specific adjustments, supports and interventions that might assist engagement with the EIOS program.
* Connect the school, teachers, families and community services to provide joined-up or wrap-around support for children and young people engaged with the EIOS program.
* Collaborate and align EIOS work with other Foundation House services that strengthen educational engagement, family wellbeing and community resilience for children and young people from refugee backgrounds.
What you'll need to successfully apply
To be successful, you will need to positively respond to the selection criteria:
* Relevant qualification in youth work, community development, social work or a related human services discipline.
* Proven experience working directly with children, young people and/or families from refugee backgrounds.
* Demonstrated ability to apply culturally safe and trauma-informed approaches to engagement and support, particularly within education and youth justice contexts.
* Demonstrated capacity to build respectful relationships with children and young people who may be disengaged, distrustful of systems, or resistant to support.
* Ability to collaborate with teachers, wellbeing staff and school leadership while maintaining a student-centred advocacy role.
* Experience delivering early intervention and prevention responses.
* Demonstrated experience in case management or care coordination, including assessment, goal setting, action planning and review.
* Proven ability to work collaboratively with schools, community services, settlement providers, mental health services, and justice agencies.
* Strong connections to, or experience working with, Afghanistan communities, along with multilingual skills, would be an advantage
In return
You'll be rewarded with:
* An attractive remuneration package of $100,776 plus superannuation and annual leave loading
* Salary packaging benefits of up to $18,550 and novated car leasing options
* A role with true purpose to make a difference in people's lives
* A welcoming, diverse and supportive team environment
* Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members
About Foundation House
* A state-wide agency offering services throughout Victoria with approximately 250 staff across six offices and partnerships in regional and rural Victoria
* Values-driven and committed to improving life outcomes for refugee background survivors
* An inclusive and equal opportunity employer
* A Child Safe organisation committed to promoting and protecting the interests and safety of children
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