Position Description
– Casual Youth
Residential Worker
JOB DESCRIPTION
Position:
Youth Residential Support Worker, Catchment Youth Services
Application: Casual Position
Programs:
Youth Crisis Accommodation Service
Reports to:
Service Manager
Catchment Youth Services
Hours:
Casual Roster Hours
(includes rotating weekday, evenings, weekends and sleepovers)
Location:
Reservoir
Service Overview:
Catchment Youth Services is a community based youth service based in the North East
Region of Melbourne governed by a Board of Management. Catchment Youth Services
works within a holistic framework providing crisis accommodation, support and advocacy for
young people, including young parents aged 16 – 25 years experiencing, or at risk of
homelessness. Catchment has a Youth and Family worker programme that can provide
young people with counselling, family mediation and outreach support.
Mission Statement:
Catchment is a statewide service, providing safe and secure crisis accommodation and
holistic case management for young people who are experiencing homeless.
Philosophy
Catchment Youth Service is a community based service that seeks to provide programs and
opportunities aimed at empowering young people experiencing homelessness. Catchment
operates within a human rights social justice frame work in accordance with VHREOC
legislation. Catchment endeavours to provide a service that is culturally sensitive thus
empowering young people in a safe and nurturing environment. Catchment operates from a
holistic approach to youth homelessness in the recognition that youth homelessness
encompasses a wide range of issues that extend beyond accommodation, such as health,
family breakdown, violence and life trauma. Catchment seeks to provide young people with
choices beyond the crisis point through their extensive and evolving programs. We aim to
provide service to the most disadvantaged and vulnerable target groups.
Catchment operates from the principle that the service users have the right to lead the
decisions that affect their lives. The service operates within a community-based structure
that is based on a consultative working process, with a commitment to a non-institutionalised
approach of keeping the decisions in the hands of the people that are affected by them.
Catchment allows for continual reflection and flexibility that enables the service to be open to
Approved By
Board of Management
Next Review Date
May 2016
Last
Reviewed
Version
May 2013
3.0
Position Description
– Casual Youth
Residential Worker
change, Catchment has the opportunity to respond to the changing and challenging needs of
young homeless people
Service Aims
 Catchment Youth Service aims to provide a safe and supported emergency and shortterm accommodation facility for young people aged 16-25yrs.
 Catchment Youth Services aims to build resilience and interdependence of young
people through an empowering, inclusive and holistic case management approach that
addresses both their immediate and long term support goals.
 Catchment Youth Service aims to provide a diversity of high quality services to young
people that minimize the impact of homelessness and prevent the cycle of
homelessness through early intervention strategies.
Position Objectives:
This position is required to work as part of a youth work team providing short term
accommodation to young people aged 16-25 years whom are homeless and/or at risk of
homelessness. The position is responsible for each resident’s day to day care, and is
required to:
 Actively participate in program activities supporting the young person’s case plan and
developing necessary life skills

Meaningfully engage with young people through involvement in
their activities and casework support and role modelling for the residents.

Motivate and maintain each young person’s development and manage any
challenging behaviours is crucial to the position.

Proactively contribute to ensure the centre is a home for the young people living
there based on mutual respect, personal safety and security.
Key Responsibilities:
The following roles and responsibilities are shared equally within the staffing team:
Operational
 Participate in the overall case management responsibilities of the refuge, in
conjunction with the staffing group. Case management must be both flexible and
directive in assisting young people to resolve their goals and issues.
 Assess and induct new referrals to the service.
 Resource young people with a range of suitable and appropriate housing options.
 Act and negotiate for and with young people in relation to their rights and needs in
such matters as housing, income, health and legal issues. Maintaining sound and
effective communication with other workers via verbal communication, and the
recording of information in resident’s files and the day book.
Approved By
Board of Management
Next Review Date
May 2016
Last
Reviewed
Version
May 2013
3.0
Position Description
– Casual Youth
Residential Worker
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Ensure young people at the refuge are well cared for in terms of their security,
confidentiality and general well being. Providing for the direct needs and the general
supervision of residents.
Assist in the development of shared and independent living skills, ensuring that
young people learn and retain maximum independence.
Assist young people in gaining the necessary skills to find and maintain housing and
employment.
Be available to young people to communicate their needs and concerns and refer
them to appropriate services. Establish and maintain channels to negotiate and liaise
with government and non government agencies which have direct relevance to
young peoples needs.
Organisational
 Participate in maintaining the general up-keep of the refuge including shopping and
basic cleaning.
 Participate in internal and external professional supervision and development.
 Assist the Coordinator in ensuring the upkeep of rosters for full-time and casual staff
if required.
 Participate in the on-going development of services available to young people via
forums and working parties targeting related issues.
 Contribute to the workplace environment which supports peers, develops teamwork
and ensures the provision of high quality service for young people.
 Participate in the networks relevant to community managed housing and relevant
peak bodies eg, Council to Homeless Persons, Northern Region Youth
Homelessness Network, if required.
 Participate and support the ongoing DHS accreditation process.
 Maintain safe workplace in accordance with CYS OHS policies and procedures.
 Demonstrate a high standard of professional and ethical behaviour and a
commitment to CYS’s philosophy, mission and values and complies with all relevant
legislation, statutory requirements, service standards and policies.
 Attends staff meetings, performance reviews and planning sessions as directed by
the Executive Officer.
 Other duties as delegated by the Executive Officer under the direction of the Board of
Management.
Selection Criteria:
 Relevant qualification and experience in the welfare sector, and/or Experience in
working within a youth refuge setting or youth related field.
 A broad understanding of issues relating to youth homelessness and resources
relevant to young people.
 A genuine commitment to build resilience and independence with young people to
create sustainable healthy life changes.
 Ability to willingness to work independently as well as within a team, upholding the
organisations mission and values.
 Ability to manage crisis situations, behaviour management as well as conflict
resolution skills.
 Strong organisational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks.
Approved By
Board of Management
Next Review Date
May 2016
Last
Reviewed
Version
May 2013
3.0
Position Description
– Casual Youth
Residential Worker
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Administration and computing skills.
Current Drivers Licence
Desired Qualities:
 Integrity: Appreciate the diversity of people, Treats individuals fairly and possesses
empathy regarding issues facing young people.
 Flexibility: Is adaptable, receptive to new ideas and perspectives, responds and
adjusts easily to changing work demands and circumstances.
 Resilience: Possess resilience and capacity to resolve ambiguous situations,
perseveres and remains calm and in control under pressure.
 Commitment: High degree of personal motivation and commitment to youth issues.
Having a sense of initiative and enthusiasm in working as part of a team or
independently. Commitment to social justice and community development principles.
Successful applicants will undergo a police check, show their current drivers licence
and will agree to submit to a Working with Children Check if they don’t already have
one.
Working in a residential facility is often demanding and requires people who have experience
in working with challenging behaviours and who have participated in diverse areas of
training. A strong emphasis is placed on supporting staff well being and encouraging
professional development. The successful applicant must have the ability to work shift work,
weekends and rotating rosters. The successful applicant will be required to have a high level
of commitment to the position and commitment to quality outcomes for young people.
Salary and Conditions:
Payment is according to the SCHADS 2010 Award. Employment contracts are established
on commencement with the individual, outlining the salary and conditions.
I have read and understand the above duties of this job description and I am willing
and able to perform all of the above duties.
_________________________________
Signed: Youth Residential Support Worker
_________________________
Date
_________________________________
Signed: Service Manager
_________________________
Date
Approved By
Board of Management
Next Review Date
May 2016
Last
Reviewed
Version
May 2013
3.0