• Casual
• Dandenong Location
• $55.73 to $59.96 (SCHADS Level 4 casual hourly rate, plus shift loading where applicable)
• Plus generous salary packaging benefit up to $15,900 (depending on hours worked)
• Inclusive and supportive organisational culture

wayss is the largest provider of homelessness, housing and family violence services in the South East Melbourne area.  
  
We exist so that people have access to safe, sustainable and affordable housing and our vision is to be the major provider of social housing services and leading-edge client support programs in the Southern Melbourne Metropolitan region. 

Services for Young People provide transitional support and access to crisis and supported accommodation options for young people aged between 16 and 25 who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The service aims to increase the capacity of young people to live independently through: improving access to long term stable and affordable housing; providing assistance with securing income support and connecting young people with a range of social supports.

About the role
The Youth Refuge Specialist is responsible for providing information, support and advocacy to young people (aged 16 – 25) who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness; and encourage and facilitate young people’s participation in meeting the objective of independent living if necessary and/or family (carers) reunification where safe and appropriate.

Duties include:

• Through an Advantaged Thinking approach utilise various engagement strategies for working with young people experiencing issues around homelessness, AOD, challenging behaviours and empower young people experiencing personal difficulties.
• Providing practical support outcomes through a strengths based approach, and liaising with case managers to achieve positive outcomes for young people.
• Liaising and consultating with internal and external stakeholders relevant to the delivery of services.
• Participating with partnership agencies in the development and delivery of complimentary youth programs including the Living and Life Skills Program.
• Facilitating referrals and providing support for young people to access services.
• Advocacy and support activities including management of belongings and relocation.
• Ensuring the provision of a clean, safe and secure crisis accommodation facility in accordance with relevant legislation and standards.
• Ensuring the health and safety of self and others in the workplace by working in accordance with legislative requirements and Wayss policies and procedures
• Other duties that may arise as directed by Team Leader, in scope of the role and needs of the service.

About you
We are looking for a client-focused individual who can work independently and can demonstrate an ability to support young people to reach their potential.
 
You will have:

• Qualification or experience in working with young people with diverse needs
• Relevant experience working in the community services sector with young people, with a sound knowledge of the housing and support needs appropriate to them, not essential but desired.
• Demonstrated experience and capability in:
  o risk and client needs assessment
  o advocacy and support
  o client referrals
  o Residential Work (Youth)
  o Other youth related work i.e. Education support
• Knowledge of relevant theories including trauma informed practice, adolescent development, strengths based approaches and reflective practice. 
• Sound knowledge of homelessness, with an understanding and commitment to the social and political context of homelessness
• Demonstrated experience building positive relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders that contribute to the objectives of reducing homelessness for young people.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously under limited direction and to respond flexibly to changing demands and priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to improving service delivery and practice that support better outcomes for young people through positive engagement and empowerment.
• Excellent written and verbal presentation skills.
• Compassion, empathy and resilience.

This role requires a current Driver’s Licence and valid ‘Employment’ category - Working with Children Check Card. The candidate will need to have successfully completed wayss pre-employment screening, including a police and identity check.

Working for wayss
Our people matter. Without them, we would be unable to make a meaningful impact in the lives of people facing homelessness and family violence. This is our motivation in creating wayss as a great place to work. 
  
wayss delivers a range of services across the Southern Melbourne Area for people seeking support for family violence and homelessness.
  
For more about wayss visit https://www.wayss.org.au/

Applications
Applications close 16 July 2025, however, may close sooner if a successful candidate is selected.
  
Please ensure you include a covering letter, outlining your experience in relation to the "About You" section in the advertisement. Enquiries about the position or copy of the position description can be directed to Anne Casey, Manager, Services for Young People on 8797 1847.
  
wayss is proud to be an inclusive and child safe organisation. 
  
wayss is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to being an organisation that embraces a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion within our workforce and approach to service delivery. We encourage people with lived experience to apply for roles at wayss. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people from diverse cultural and linguistic communities, people of all ages and LGBTIQ people.  wayss is a proud Rainbow Tick accredited organisation that welcomes everyone across the LGBTIQ community.