St Vincent de Paul Society

ABN: 91 161 127 340

Charles O’Neill House Cnr West & Thomas Streets Lewisham NSW 2049 PO Box 5 Petersham NSW 2049 Group Coordinator / Facilitator Telephone: (02) 9560 8666 Position Description Facsimile: (02) 9550 9383 ______Email: [email protected] Website: www.vinnies.org.au Position Title Group Coordinator / Facilitator Donation Hotline: 13 18 12

Reports To Team Leader

Base Location

Primary position To professionally and effectively deliver a range of programs and objective workshops to vulnerable people at risk of, or who are, homeless. As the Group Coordinator / Facilitator you will work closely with Case Managers to deliver tailored programs and workshops to clients and the wider community, specifically addressing the needs of the target group. Based in Deniliquin, the Group Coordinator will provide an outreach model of service to the south-west region, capturing the communities of Deniliquin, , , Barham, Berrigan, Finley, Hay, , and .

St Vincent de Paul Society The St Vincent de Paul Society is a lay Catholic volunteer-based organisation that makes a real difference to the lives of people who are forced onto the margins of society. The Society has been working in communities in for 131 years. Our members live and work in these communities and are there for the long-haul, helping people rebuild their lives in any way possible. Our Conferences and services are busier than ever, as more and more people struggle to make ends meet, and cope with the demands of modern day life. Through home visitation, a tradition that has stood the test of time for 150 years, Conference members visit people in their homes, providing support, friendship and material assistance. Importantly, members also visit people experiencing deep isolation and loneliness in hospitals, prisons and detention centres. Through our Retail Centres, we not only provide a visible port of call for people experiencing hardship, but also raise crucial funds that are injected straight back into the local community to help those people most at risk of falling through the cracks. The Society continues to address inequality and injustice through a range of services including: homeless services; education and recreational programs; domestic violence services; assistance to migrants and refugees; clothing and assistance centres; mental health programs; vocational services for people with a disability; drug, alcohol and gambling counselling services; financial counselling; disaster recovery; rural services and food vans. Many people’s lives are pulled apart by social and economic structures that exclude them from participating fully in their community. By working with people and empowering them, the Society assists people to build the skills and capacity for sustainable change in their lives.

Every day in NSW the Society assists thousands of people through Home Visitation, Migrant and Refugee Assistance, Hospital and Prison Visitation, Vinnies Centres, Supported Employment Services for People with an Intellectual Disability, Hostels for Homeless Men, Women and Families, Overseas Relief, Disaster Recovery, Budget Counselling and Youth Programs. Group Coordinator Facilitator _Deniliquin | Position Description March 2015

Organisational Overview SVDP NSW Support Services provides support for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in NSW. It is a Special Work of the St Vincent de Paul Society of NSW and is comprised of 15 plus different programs across the state. SVDP NSW Support Services cares for single men and women, women and children, two parent families, men with children and young men and women who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. All our services provide case-management and advocacy for each client.

As one of the 15 programs Vinnies Services, Deniliquin provides two programs to people who are at risk of, or who are, homeless: the Reconnect Program and the Specialist Homelessness Service. The Reconnect Program is an early intervention into homelessness program working with Young People aged 12-18 within the context of their family. The Specialist Homelessness Service works with people from of 16 who are at risk of homelessness or experiencing homelessness at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

Duties and Responsibilities

Client  Act in best possible interests of clients and service users as detailed in the Service Manual;  In conjunction with Support Services Case Management teams, develop and implement projects and workshops that are client centred;  Incorporate strategies that respond to the needs of clients and enhance skill building opportunities;  Maintain client confidentiality in accordance with Policy and Procedure Manual.  Accountability to maintain and update data and client records  Assist the teams’ capacity in meeting its objectives and performance indicators of both strategic and individual program work plans.  Maintain confidentiality according to St Vincent de Paul policies and procedures and appropriate legislation.  Assist clients with living skills and community engagement where appropriate.

Team / Society  Maintain a broad understanding of state and federal government policies that have a direct impact on the delivery of services to homeless/people at risk of homelessness and, as directed, assisting the Team Leader / Regional Manager in responses to any government reviews or sector development  Support linkages with ‘first-to-know’ agencies, support agencies and education and training facilities throughout the region;  Foster the development of joint venture projects to address homeless, at risk of homelessness and vulnerable person’s options;  Support the delivery of distance and alternative education through liaison with teachers and student tutoring;  Promotion of service to clients, potential clients and broader community;  Build linkages between the broader community and homeless, potentially homeless and vulnerable people.  Contribute to Policy Development.  Attend and actively participate in Staff Meetings.  Perform other duties as may be requested from time to time;

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Group Coordinator Facilitator _Deniliquin | Position Description March 2015

Workshop presentation:  Design and develop relevant workshops, guided by the Vinnies Services, Deniliquin Service Specifications;  Design, develop and facilitate workshops that meet the needs of the organizational client base to enhance life-skills, the capacity to live independently and personal development;  Facilitate and deliver our well established programs targeted at Young People;

Employee  Keep up to date with current and leading client management practices in order to provide or facilitate innovative and effective case working practices.  Participate in training workshops, and ongoing professional development.  Adhere to all SVDP NSW Work Health and Safety policies and procedures and meet WHS legal obligations.  Work in a collaborative manner with all staff.  Participate in the annual Stronger Together process.  Working within the SVDP NSW Support Services Code of Practice and SVDP Code of Conduct.  Participate in a rotating roster, including weekends if relevant

SELECTION CRITERIA Essential Criteria  Demonstrated understanding of the range of educational, personal and social barriers that may impact on people’s engagement with, and participation in learning; particularly relating to rural context.  Ability to assess clients learning styles and develop/implement a diverse range of strategies and workshops to suit identified needs utilizing a range of media;  Highly developed oral, written and interpersonal skills including the ability to establish rapport, engage and motivate clients;  Demonstrated ability to work flexible hours, independently and as part of a team towards established goals;  Sound administration skills, including confidence in the use of information and communications technology and competence in basic data entry and case notes;  Willingness to work within the ethos of St Vincent De Paul Society and understand/accept the principals of strengths based work;  Preparedness to undergo National Criminal History Check and Working with Children Check;  Current NSW driver’s license

Desired Criteria  Past experience working with homeless/at risk of homelessness, or marginalised client groups  Background in teaching or Workplace Training and Assessment;  Knowledge of local services and resources available to assist clients’ educational, social, life- skills and personal development;  Demonstration of presentation skills;  Ability to operate as a sole worker in an outreach setting.

The St Vincent de Paul Society is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

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