Directions Health Services is an innovative non-profit organisation that has been providing specialist alcohol and other drug (AOD) services in the ACT and NSW for more than 40 years. Directions provides a comprehensive suite of holistic AOD, mental health and primary health services that aim to reduce harms experienced by individuals, families and communities and improve overall health and wellbeing. Our Directions’ team includes Counsellors, Social Workers, a Psychologist, Chemists, GPs, Registered Nurses, and a Psychiatrist. 

Our capacity to implement innovative services developed in collaboration with our clients, partners, and other stakeholders, enables us to effectively respond to the changing needs of the communities we serve.

The Post-Custodial Support Program strives to empower people to rebuild their lives after being released from custody. The program provides support to people to reduce harmful AOD use, reintegrate clients into the community and reduce risks of recidivism. Our clients are both planning on exiting custody to live in the NSW region and have recently exited custody.

About the position

As a Post-Custodial Support Case Manager, you will provide culturally sensitive, integrated, and coordinated community-based treatment including case management, counselling and harm-minimisation education to clients. You will work alongside a range of health, mental health, corrections, AOD and other community programs to provide holistic care that meets clients’ needs. You will provide support to clients, their families, and communities at our office, in outreach settings and in corrections centres. As a Case Manager you will also play a valuable role in our ongoing quality improvement processes.

We strongly encourage people with a lived experience of AOD and incarceration to apply for this role (applicants must also have a WWCC).     

This position is fixed term, part time role – 0.8 full time equivalent. 

Responsibilities

• Make pre-release contact with people due to exit custody to ensure a relationship and assessment of needs is established prior to release
• Create positive relationships with the correctional facility and probation and parole staff to facilitate pre-release contact
• Provide comprehensive assessment of participant needs and goals, including risk assessments, management and safety planning, and develop individual treatment and support plans with clients
• Use a stepped model of care to support clients
• Undertake routine outcomes measurement in collaboration with clients and ensure accurate and timely collection of all required data including case notes, reports, and other written communication
• Participate in staff and consortium meetings, supervision and shared care meetings
• Reflect on your performance through supervision, line management and performance reviews
• Work in accordance with Directions’ Policies and Procedures, program models of care and health and safety guidelines

What we offer

• A flexible and supportive work environment
• Community Service Employee Level 4 role plus superannuation, commensurate with qualifications, skills, and experience
• Generous salary packaging benefits
• 17½% leave loading
• Professional development and training opportunities

What we would like you to have

• A qualification in Counselling, Social Work, Psychology, Nursing, AOD or another relevant field 
• Experience working in the AOD sector and with or within the correctional, probation and parole sector
• A strong understanding of the impact of AOD use and the associated issues our clients may experience, including physical and mental health and other co-morbidities
• Strong knowledge of evidence-based treatment, harm minimisation, case management and support strategies and a capacity to work with clients using a person-centred approach
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• An ability to use Client Information Management system and associated software 
• An ability to work competently in a cross-cultural environment
• Thorough understanding of the importance of personal and professional boundaries, ethical behaviour, policies, and procedures
• A commitment to the mission and values of the organisation and to engage with staff and clients from a marginalised background, in a non-judgmental and respectful manner
• Willingness to travel regularly within the NSW region and to the ACT

All appointments will be conditional upon having suitable rights to work in Australia, a Working with Children Check, current First Aid and CPR certification, a satisfactory National Police Check and Driver’s Licence.

For further information about the position, please refer to the Position Description here: https://static.ethicaljobs.com.au/media/1702345403_davmQ_.pdf (note this is not a hyperlink, please copy and paste the url into your browser’s url bar) and/or contact Kaylene Mallott – Team Leader of Pathways Goulburn at [email protected] 

How to apply

Applications can be submitted through SEEK and include a current CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the position. Applications close at 5:00pm on 2nd January 2024. 

Directions is passionate about providing equal employment opportunities and we greatly value diversity in our organisation. We actively encourage applicants from all background and cultures. Research shows that women and other marginalised individuals tend to only apply for jobs when they meet 100% of the requirements. If you think you may be a good fit for this position, but don’t necessarily meet every requirement, please get in touch. We would love to have a chat and see if you could be a great fit.