HOUSING FIRST KEY WORKER
Position Description
Housing First is an exciting collaborative programme established by Te Taumata O Ngati Whakaue, Link People and Lifewise. Housing First provides rapid access to housing and wrap around support to people experiencing chronic homelessness in the Rotorua Region.
As a Housing First Key Worker you will uncover and unleash the strengths of the people you are working with and walk alongside them as they determine their futures, based on their own choices, and self-determined goals. You will provide intensive, often long-term support based on these goals.
You will work with a Housing Specialist Team and alongside Peer Support Workers to assist people into permanent housing of their choice and provide ongoing support to participants as they establish themselves in permanent housing. You will continue to work alongside people on their recovery journey as they build a sense of wellbeing and strong positive community connections.
You will have extraordinary interpersonal skills, patience and empathy to build trusting relationships with the Housing First participants and their Whanau.
WO YOU REPORT TO
You will be employed by Lifewise and report to the Housing First Programme Team Leader.
WHAT YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR
As a member of the Team which has a kaupapa Maori approach, you are responsible for acknowledging and enhancing the mana of the people we work with. This includes providing a range of holistic support to promote wellbeing, including:
PERSON LED INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT Supporting individuals through a case management approach, the goal of which is to help them maintain their housing and achieve an optimum quality of life through developing plans, enhancing life skills, addressing health and mental health needs, engaging in meaningful activities and building social and community relations.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT This very relational aspect of support includes active listening, reframing, facilitating communication, building motivation and confidence.
INFORMATIONAL / EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT Provision of information and education to help people to achieve their goals and aspirations.
NAVIGATION Helping find out about, connect to and use their resources and services that are available to them
DIRECT SUPPORT Doing things with (rather than for) people in order that they build skills, confidence, change behaviour or circumstances.
You will work with a small number of Housing First participants to:
Create and work towards a strengths based recovery plan that is grounded in the principles of Housing First and harm reduction
Support with daily tasks and activities
Provide advocacy as required
Broker and provide supported referrals to other organisation or services as required
Support connection with Whanau and culture as required
Contribute to community development intiatives with participants and the wider team
Share your knowledge with your Housing First Team Members to build the collective knowledge and wisdom of the Team and to contribute to the overall development of the programme
Communicate effectively with Stakeholder and Partner Organisations
Maintain relevant, timely and accurate documentation at all times
WHAT SKILLS & EXPERIENCE YOU NEED
Relevant qualification or experience in one of the following fields: social work, nursing, psychology, mental health, alcohol and other drugs, occupational therapy, counselling, social sciences, community development, sociaology, support work, peer or consumer advisor.
Cultural competencies with knowledge of tikanga me te reo Maori
Positivity, flexibility, confidence and compassion with a non-judgemental attitude
Resilience, with the ability to work in an environment oc chaos or unpredictability
Demonstrated ability to maintain professional intergrity and self-care
Have experience in working alongside people with mental health issues, substance abuse and / or trauma
Excellent interpersonal and communicaiton skills (verbal, written and computer literacy)
Knowledge or understanding of motivational interviewing, harm reduction and trauma informed care
Computer literacy and skill in the use of computers and related software applications
Applications for this position will close on Friday 29 January 2021
