An opportunity based in Karratha for a Transition Coach-Home Stretch WA
The Home Stretch WA model was co-designed with young people, Aboriginal community and the broader system that supports young people transitioning from Out-Of-Home-Care. As one of the first services providing Home Stretch in WA, you will play an important role in establishing a better service system for young people transitioning from Out-Of-Home-Care to interdependence.
As a Home Stretch Transition Coach, you will provide 1:1 professional support, guidance and case coordination to young people transitioning from Out-of-Home Care, offering them an extension of support and resources to the age of 21 years.
This will include:
• developing a young persons’ natural networks and assisting them to build and maintain connection to culture, country, family, and community supports.
• offering and brokering access to a safety net of financial support and resources through the Home Stretch WA service offer
• providing tailored support services using a culturally safe and strengths- based approach and case coordination that is consistent with the Home Stretch WA Transition Coach Practice Principles
• work collaboratively with relevant stakeholders including the Department of Communities’ Child Protection staff, foster families, carers, the young person’s kin, community, and people identified as significant in their lives.
Your approach will be trauma informed and culturally secure. You will ensure the right to self-determination drives your practice, while promoting the wellbeing of young people.
Key responsibilities for this role include;
- Work flexibly, on an outreach basis, to provide quality individualized support in line with the Home Stretch WA Model
- Deliver accurate information about Home Stretch WA to prospective young people and Department of Communities staff and other Out-Of- Home-Care service providers.
- Interview and assess young people who have been referred to Home Stretch WA to build a holistic understanding of their support needs.
- Provide regular, individual mentoring and coaching to young people to support them to develop the skills, connections, and self-confidence they require to achieve independence and stable living arrangements.
- Support young people to develop Staying On Agreements with their current or previous foster or family carers, ensuring that they can continue on in stable living arrangements.
- Assist young people to find and maintain safe and stable housing, using mainstream resources and the Home Stretch WA Housing Allowance, exploring a broad range of options within a young persons’ natural networks, community housing and private/public housing opportunities.
- Support young people to:
- develop and/or maintain strong cultural connections
- find and maintain appropriate education, training, and employment opportunities
- find and maintain stable accommodation
- access services relevant to meet their individual needs
- increase their knowledge and skills to transition to independence
- access recreational and social networks in the community to build connectedness and social support.
- support to access Invest In Me Brokerage Funding
- Provide strong advocacy for young people, work respectfully and in partnership with key internal and external stakeholders, including Leaving Care services, foster carers, broader community members, Department of Communities’ Home Stretch project team, Leaving Care team and other district staff where necessary.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with Child Protection District Offices, spending time in designated Districts to strengthen referral pathways for young people.
About the organisation:
RKKAC is an Aboriginal organisation, with over 400 members aged 18+. Based in Karratha, Western Australia, the organisation’s vision is to work together as a community to establish a solid foundation towards independence, community wellbeing, cultural identity, and healthy Country now and for future generations.
Robe River Kuruma Aboriginal Corporation (RRKAC) is the registered native title body corporate for Robe River Kuruma (RRK) native title determined areas.
To be successful in this role you will have;
- Current ‘C’ open drivers’ license
- Excellent Interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to build great working relationships with Young People, Volunteers and Service Providers
- Proficient in IT and demonstrated experience using computer software and systems.
- Ability to work effectively with and for Aboriginal people and especially at-risk youth.
- Hold a current National Police Check (or ability to obtain), Working with Children check and Drug and Alcohol test
- Willingness to work across the local region on regular outreach: working in the client’s home, in local community centres and any other venue where a young people may require support.
- Ability to work in a team and to work collaboratively with others.
- At least 5 years’ experience in similar role, working in the community services sector and specifically working with at-risk young people.
- Tertiary qualifications in Youth Work, Social Services or equivalent experience.
In turn RRKAC is able to provide;
- A competitive base salary
- Not-for-profit salary sacrificing
- Generous leave entitlements
- Opportunity to experience living and working in rural Western Australia
- A supportive environment and ability to drive change and truly add value to the community and their members
For all enquiries, please contact e.simpson@rrkac.org.au