Housing First Key Worker

Housing First Key Worker  

Position Description

He Whakapapa: Background

Lifewise is an innovative organisation working together with people who are often marginalised to create better services and solutions to enable their full participation and ability to thrive.

Housing First is an exciting collaborative programme established by Te Taumata o Ngati Whakaue Iho Ake Trust and Lifewise. Housing First provides rapid access to housing and wrap around supports to people experiencing chronic homelessness in the Rotorua area

Te Kaupapa: Purpose  

As a Housing First Key worker you will uncover and unleash the strengths of the people you are working with and walk alongside them as they determine their futures, based on their own choices, and self-determined goals. You will provide intensive, often long-term support based on these goals.

You will work with a Housing Specialist team and alongside peer support workers to assist people into permanent housing of their choice and provide ongoing support to participants as they establish themselves in permanent housing. You will continue to walk alongside people on their recovery journey as they build a sense of wellbeing and strong positive community connections.

You will have extraordinary inter-personal skills, patience and empathy to build trusting relationships with the Housing First participants and their whānau. 

THREE TRUST VALUES

Compassion Arohanui

Courage Maia

Respect Whakaute

Integrity Ngakau Pono

WHO YOU REPORT TO

• You report to the Team Leader

WHO REPORTS TO ME

• Nil

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal

• Lifewise Housing First Leadership Team
• Lifewise Housing First Key Worker and Peer Support Worker
• Lifewise Rotorua Community Teams
• Airedale Property Trust

External

• Te Taumata o Ngati Whakaue Iho Ake Trust
• Government Agencies
• Non-Government Agencies
• Māori Organizations
• Community Service Providers
• External agencies as appropriate

LEVEL OF DELEGATION

As stated in The Three Trusts Policy on Delegated Authorities

WHAT YOU’RE RESPONSIBLE FOR

As a member of the team which has a kaupapa Māori approach, you are responsible for acknowledging and enhancing the mana of the people we work with. This includes providing a range of holistic support to promote wellbeing, including:

SUPPORT MANAHA TO MAINTAIN THEIR TENANCY AND LIVE WELL IN THEIR HOME

• Work alongside a property management team to assist manaha (clients) into permanent housing and provide ongoing support to participants as they establish themselves in permanent housing.

• Identify needs and areas of concern of the manaha.

• Work with your team to connect manaha to relevant agencies or support services.

• Ensure home/outreach visits are proportionate to their level of need.

• Support the implementation of healthy finances

END TO END CASE MANAGEMENT

• Create and work towards manaha led goal plans.

• Support the process of onboarding new referrals to the programme.

• Continue to walk alongside manaha on their journey of recovery to achieve their goals, and to build strong positive community connections.

• Documentation; Case Reviews; Contribution to manaha needs and risk assessments, checklists.

COLLABORATION

• Work closely with your leaders to ensure core tasks are met
• Connect with peers to share learnings and engage in best practise.
• Attend multi agency meetings to connect manaha with appropriate support.
• Build strong relationships with Airedale Property managers to reach shared housing outcomes with manaha.
• Attendance for regular team hui, team trainings and workplace events.

Note: The above performance standards are provided as a guide only. Performance measures will be discussed between the team member and manager as part of the performance planning and review process.

WHAT SKILLS & EXPERIENCE YOU NEED

• Relevant social work qualification or registration as a health professional with mental health or addiction experience
• Minimum 2 years experience in the social and community sector
• Minimum 2 years experience working alongside people with complex needs who struggle with their mental health, substance abuse and/or trauma.
• A strong understanding of the issues surrounding homelessness, including mental health issues, addiction, and trauma.
• A cultural awareness and understanding of Maori and Pacific communities.
• Proven communication and people skills
• A commitment to being a good Te Tiriti partner in all your actions. This includes an understanding of the significance of and obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and the ability to apply Te Tiriti principles in a meaningful way in this role
• Competency with te ao Māori, tikanga, and te reo Māori or a commitment to starting your journey and taking ownership of your learning and growth
• A valid New Zealand Drivers’ License
• An eligibility to work in New Zealand