Housing Worker - Women's Justice Diversion Program

Organisation Overview:
Women’s Housing Limited (WHL) is a specialist housing provider with a mission to advocate for the housing needs of women and children and contribute to the growth of affordable housing stock. WHL has a strong reputation for excellence in homelessness support services, housing development, housing management, and provision of client ancillary services.

About the role

The Women’s Justice Diversion Program (WJDP) provides housing assessment, planning, and support to women on remand or serving a short sentence at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre (DPFC) prison. The WJDP is designed to divert women facing homelessness upon release into housing and support pathways to reduce their contact with the justice system.

The WJDP Housing Worker will undertake Initial Assessment and Planning with women at DPFC to implement effective strategies and coordinate support to secure appropriate accommodation on release from custody and link them with the wider homeless service system.

The WJDP team works alongside other funded support programs at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre and in the wider Victorian homeless service system to achieve housing and support goals with clients.

The WJDP and Women’s Services Team provides a feminist approach to service delivery that is trauma informed and consistent with the principles of MARAM (Multi Agency Risk Assessment and Management Framework) and Child Safe Standards.

The position is full time, fixed term to June with possibility of extension pending program renewal.

Key responsibilities:





Support WHL to provide high quality services in compliance with funding and service agreement policies, guidelines and professional standards.

Support the success of IAP services and women leaving prison by helping them secure or maintain protected and affordable housing.

Build collaborative working relationships with government agencies, SHS agencies, family violence services, and other allied support providers to coordinate effective responses to complex service users.

Help women sustain or obtain housing by providing accurate housing advice and referral.

Ensure the continuous improvement of client services by implementing client feedback processes and contributing to the review and development of policies and procedures.

Demonstrate a commitment to the success and continuous improvement of WHL by maintaining effective internal and external relationships, maintaining knowledge of relevant organisational policies, and developing professional skills.

About you:

Experience working with women affected by homelessness.

Experience working with women with multiple and complex needs, such as those affected by criminalisation and/or family violence.

Demonstrated ability to work within complex system frameworks such as Housing, Justice, and/or allied services such as mental health, alcohol and other drugs, etc.





High-level knowledge or demonstrated experience working with the social housing system (VHR - Victorian Housing Register) and the Victorian Homeless Service System, including Initial Assessment and Planning (IAP) or entry point services.

Well-developed communication, stakeholder engagement and conflict resolution skills.

Experience employing strategic advocacy with housing, corrections, and/or allied services.

Ability to work independently, and within internal and external care teams to support vulnerable clients.

Robust administration skills including timely and accurate record-keeping, case notes, reports and correspondence.

Competent digital skills, including Microsoft Office and housing or property management systems

Working With Children's Check

Police Clearance

Additional Information:

The position is subject to EEO exemption and is open to women applicants only.

The WJDP Program works in a hybrid model between head office at 501 Swanston Street, Melbourne and the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre in Ravenhall. Working from home in a hybrid model can be discussed as appropriate and agreed with your manager.

This position is 0.9 EFT

For further information about the role and to obtain a copy of the Position Description, please contact Sarah Sheppard at ••••@womenshousing.com.au .

Applications close 5pm, Tuesday 20th October unless appointments made earlier, so please do not delay in submitting your application.

Applicants must provide their CV and a cover letter addressing the skills and experience relevant to the dot points above via the SEEK portal.

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📌 Housing Worker - Women's Justice Diversion Program (Melbourne)
🏢 Women's Housing
📍 Melbourne