Position Description

Position Title Community Mental Health Worker, Homeless Outreach

Mental Health and Housing Service (HOMHS)
Position Number P0532

Position Status Full time, Fixed term (until 30 June 2019)

Program Area Homeless Outreach Mental Health and Housing

Service
Award/Agreement/ Community Health Centre (Stand Alone Services)
Classification Social and Community Service Employees Multi
Enterprise Agreement 2013-2015, Social Worker Class 2
(dependent on skills and experience) (SCHADS Level 5)
Reports To Program Manager HOMHS P0553

Contact Jana Popczyk

Contact Phone Number 0403 244 617

cohealth is one of Australias largest community health organisations delivering services

across Melbournes inner, northern and western metropolitan suburbs.

cohealths mission is to strengthen community and make a difference to the lives and
wellbeing of people, particularly of those who experience stigma and the risk of
marginalisation. We create impact through a powerful combination of advocacy,
innovation in service delivery, and partnership with consumers, communities and other
stakeholders.

With over 30 sites cohealth provides a range of vital local health and support services
including medical, dental, allied health, mental health, and counselling, and many
specialist health services. More information about cohealth is available on our website
www.cohealth.org.au.

Staff enjoy being part of a supportive environment with strong leadership and a
collegiate and communicative approach. A not for profit organisation built on strong
values, cohealths commitment to all staff and volunteers is to ensure a positive and
supportive work environment.

cohealth is an equal opportunity employer that offers generous salary packaging and
opportunity to undertake professional training and development opportunities.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and those who speak languages other than
English are encouraged to apply.

Owner Approved by
Jana Popczyk
Scheduled review: Document Number:
May 2018
Site/Program Profile
Delivering the next generation of community mental health care excellence,
cohealth Community Mental Health service comprises highly experienced teams
who work with clients who have the most difficulty accessing services. Our focus on
the most disadvantaged, underpinned by our understanding of the social
determinants of health, informs our efforts to enable service delivery to the people
who need it most.

Our programs are delivered within a framework of strengths-based, recovery-

oriented practice, consumer, carer and community participation and codesign and
a whole of health approach to care. We achieve a consistent high quality delivery
of recovery-oriented services using the Collaborative Recovery Model (CRM) and
ensure enhanced competency in trauma informed care, family centred practice
and in client directed purchasing environment.

Programs have a focus on local communities and catchment specific knowledge

and understanding is vital to cohealth Community Mental Health programs being an
innovative response to the challenges of providing effective, coordinated support
services to individuals with severe mental illness and multiple needs.

HOMHS is funded by the Federal Government, Breaking the Cycle grant. HOMHS is
a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency team comprising staff from cohealth, Inner West
Area Mental Health Service and Launch Housing, alongside a strong partnership with
McAuley Community Services for Women. HOMHS provides people who experience
severe and enduring mental illness and a history of repeated homelessness, a
pathway to better health, secure housing and increased social and economic
tenure. HOMHS offers assertive outreach utilising the Collaborative Recovery Model,
Care Coordination and expertise in the areas of mental health, housing, womens
specific needs and primary health. HOMHS provides the equivalent Area Mental
Health Service clinical case management service to all consumers of the program.
HOMHS provides a team approach to client care and each partner agency
provides expertise to the team for their relevant sector. HOMHS consumers are aged
16-64 and have a strong connection to the City of Melbourne or City of Moonee
Valley. HOMHS is a cohealth led consortium comprising cohealth, Inner West Area
Mental Health Service, McAuley Community Services for Women and Launch
Housing.

Position summary
The Community Mental Health Worker provides a service that aims to enhance
quality of life, build life skills and ensure access to both community mental health
and broader health and community services. The role focuses on client service
delivery through facilitative and direct care engagement using CRM, underpinned
by the principles of trauma informed care, family centred practice and culturally
appropriate practice. Alongside the CRM, HOMHS staff work under a clinical case
management framework.

Workers employ a flexible, individualised approach, working in consultation with

clients to assess needs and develop a range of client directed goals. Care plans
and activities offered promote choice, acknowledge individual strengths and
facilitate inclusion within the community.

Owner Approved by
Jana Popczyk
Scheduled review: Document Number:
May 2018
HOMHS workers are allocated an individual case load. The HOMHS team also
employ a team approach to all client care. As such, staff work collaboratively with
clients and co-workers, to ensure provision of best practice, evidence-based care.

Position Responsibilities

Develop and implement client-directed, strengths-based individual client

service packages from entry to exit;
Work collaboratively with clients and the HOMHS team to conduct
comprehensive assessments, identifying needs, aspirations and goals of
clients;
Provide case management support and advocacy to consumers with a
range of complex needs who are accessing HOMHS, addressing specific
needs;
Conduct risk assessments and manage risks responsibly and in line with
program policy;
Work effectively within a multidisciplinary team and employ a team
approach to client care;
Support clients to develop advance statements and wellness plans;
Monitor individual client care plans and contribute to case review meetings;
Facilitate client access to community resources, peer leadership initiatives
and services including the Volunteer Coordination Program and brokerage;
Provide recovery-oriented services through recovery coaching and the use of
CRM tools;
Embed work practices that meet outcome measures and reporting
requirements;
Ensure practice is informed by family-centred practice (using an inclusive
definition of family) and considers family care support, including working with
clients who are parents and addressing the needs of vulnerable children;
Keep client records and record targets in accordance with best practice and
with both legislative and organisational requirements;
Participate in regular daily handover meetings, team meetings, line
management supervision, practice supervision, coaching and practice
reflection groups;
Develop and maintain working relationships with key local and internal
stakeholders; and
Support the design, development, facilitation and evaluation of interventions
including groups.

Position Requirements (qualifications, skills, knowledge and attributes)

Attributes
Professional and respectful, with the ability to work as part of a team and
autonomously.
Contribute to a positive team environment.
Individual values align with Collaborative Recovery Model.
Clarity regarding role and professional boundaries.
Willingness to grow and develop professionally.
A lived experience of mental illness as a consumer, family member or carer
will be highly regarded.

Owner Approved by
Jana Popczyk
Scheduled review: Document Number:
May 2018
Skills
Excellent verbal and written communication.
Analytical thinking and problem solving skills and crisis intervention.
Appropriate IT skills and experience with electronic client-management
systems.
Ability to communicate and model a vision that generates respect,
enthusiasm, and commitment.

Knowledge
Detailed understanding of Community Health and the social model of health
principles, community mental health service delivery models of care
underpinned by the principles of family-centred and inclusive practice and
the Collaborative Recovery Model.
Detailed understanding of the challenges people with severe and enduring
mental illness and their families face, and of evidence-based best practice
interventions.

Key Selection criteria

A tertiary qualification in a relevant sector and/or commensurate experience

in a related area.
A sound understanding of the key issues affecting people with multiple and
complex needs including mental illness, alcohol and other drug issues,
housing insecurity, health and safety issues and social connection.
Significant experience of work in the mental health sector, providing case
management support to consumers who have complex presentations.
A good working knowledge of mental health conditions, treatment
interventions and the interface between Mental Health Community Support
Services (MHCSS) and Area Mental Health Services (AMHS).
Ability to work in a strengths-based framework facilitating client choice.
Ability to liaise and work collaboratively with a range of internal and external
services.
Understanding of community mental health service delivery models of care
underpinned by the principles of family centred and inclusive practice,
trauma informed practice and approach and the collaborative recovery
model.
Understanding of the homelessness service system.
Experienced in comprehensive assessment and care planning.
Proven recovery coaching and client support skills with a demonstrated
accountability to clients, team and management.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Demonstrate initiative and self-direction.
Ability to work in and contribute to an effective service delivery team.
A sound understanding and the ability to work with people from CALD
backgrounds, different genders and ages.
A valid Victorian drivers license.

Owner Approved by
Jana Popczyk
Scheduled review: Document Number:
May 2018
Additional Information
1. cohealth is an equal opportunity employer.
2. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and those who speak languages
other than English are encouraged to apply.
3. This position is based at Central City Community Health Service but may be
required to work across sites from time to time or to change sites.
4. This position may require flexible working hours outside the standard ordinary
hours of work.
5. Employment is subject to the satisfactory completion of a Police Record Check
and a Working with Children Check.
4. In the context of occupational health and safety all employees are required to
carry out their duties in a manner that does not adversely affect their own
health and safety and that of others by reporting all incidents and injuries as
well as co-operating with any measures introduced in the workplace to
improve OH&S.
5. Salary packaging is available to all fixed and permanent staff.

Relationship to Performance Development and Review Plan

This position description operates in conjunction with and forms part of the relevant
individual Performance Development Review Plan. An initial performance review
will take place six months following commencement of employment and then on an
annual basis.

Our Principles

Our work is informed by human rights based principles which include:

Participation: We work to improve access to our services by creating

opportunities for active and meaningful participation.
Accountability: We have strong systems that are open and transparent and
we actively encourage and respond to feedback.
Non-discrimination and attention to vulnerable groups: We work with the most
disadvantaged people to improve their health and wellbeing.
Empowerment: We work alongside a strong and well-connected community
that is supported to have a voice.
Linking practice to human rights standards: Our work promotes and protects
the rights of staff, consumers and the wider community.

We require all employees to perform in a way that is in line with these principles.

Owner Approved by
Jana Popczyk
Scheduled review: Document Number:
May 2018
Document Review Details

Version Number:
Date Reviewed:
Date to be reviewed:

I have read, understood and accept the above position description

Name
Date / /

Signature

Executive Director Sally Mitchell

Name
Date 3 /5 /17
Executive Director
Signature

Owner Approved by
Jana Popczyk
Scheduled review: Document Number:
May 2018