Organisation: Community Restorative Centre
Job Title: Outreach Support Worker
Location: Newcastle/Hunter
Essential Selection Criteria: Outreach Support Worker –
Newcastle/Hunter Outreach Support Project
1. Minimum Cert IV in AOD, Mental Health or related community welfare area, or
demonstrated equivalent experience.
I have undertaken qualifications, community service experience and volunteer work that will not
only suit, but add strength and value to the role of Outreach Support Worker. With an extensive
background of study, I hold the following qualifications:
Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Community Service) Current
Certificate III Aged Care and Home and Community Care 2013
Post Graduate Psychodrama Techniques, Level 1 2012
Certificate IV Telephone Counselling (Lifeline Australia) 2008
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAA40104) 2008
Certificate IV in Assessment & Workplace Training 2003
As my attached resume indicates, I have also completed a range of courses that will benefit this
role, with titles including Managing Challenging Behaviours, Working with Domestic Violence in
Cultural Context and Mental Health, Ongoing Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs.
Since 2004, I have worked in community service roles, encompassing paid work, university
placements and volunteer roles. I offer a strong advantage, with relative and practical experience
in the following positions:
Contact Worker
Community Support Worker
Telephone Counsellor
Personal Carer
Counsellor and Psychotherapist
I consider that my credentials and experience make me a strong candidate for the position of
Outreach Support Worker with Community Restorative Centre (CRC).
2. Demonstrated casework experience with people who have complex needs including;
homelessness, alcohol and other drug, mental health, and/or dual diagnosis
I have provided support for people with multiple and complex needs, encompassing
disadvantage, adversities, disabilities, high support needs, dual diagnosis and health needs. My
experience involves working for several key organisations that specialise in these areas, such as
Lifeline Australia, Wesley Mission, alcohol and other drug (AOD) centres, Youth Connections
and community centres.
As part of my Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Community Service) degree, I completed 200
hours of work with Kamira Women’s Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Centre on the Central Coast.
Here, I gained a strong understanding of alcohol and other drug dependencies, and how to
provide outreach and rehabilitative services for women, their families and significant others. My
current University placement is at Youth Connections, working with disadvantaged children, where
I provide support to those who are homeless or highly disadvantaged, with challenging behaviour,
depression, anxiety and anger management issues.
As a Contact Worker for Wesley Mission, I worked in the area of child protection, aligned with the
Department of Community Services (DoCS). My role was to supervise contact visits between
foster children (aged from birth up to late teenage years) and their parents. This involved ensuring
that the spiritual, emotional, social and physical needs of the child were met, and required a strong
knowledge of child and adolescent development, attachment and the impact of abuse and trauma.
In this role, my tasks involved observing interactions, and writing accurate case notes and reports
that were used as evidence in Court. In many cases, the parents themselves were displaced or
living roughly, and I gained a strong understanding of the issues surrounding homelessness.
As a qualified Telephone Counsellor through Lifeline Australia, I have provided support and
direction to a wide variety of clients with complex needs. Working in the area of domestic violence
and sexual assault, I am trained to provide referrals, and apply crisis management and suicide
prevention techniques. In following best practice, I compiled documentation and reports, while
maintaining the highest level of confidentiality and trust.
Each of my roles has involved maximising social inclusion, and supporting increased
independence, well-being and quality of life. With my qualifications and experience, I am equipped
to take on casework, working closely with relevant agencies and the community to provide
assistance to people affected by the criminal justice system. I have strong experience in providing
written case notes that support court proceedings, and understand the information that is required.
3. Experience in the provision of Outreach Support to clients with complex needs
My community welfare experience is diverse, encompassing the provision of support to clients with
a wide range of complex needs. As previously mentioned, I have provided outreach services at the
Karmira Women’s Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Centre, and counselling and support services
to a diverse client base. The cases and areas of work I have encountered include:
Depression and anxiety, leading to suicide prevention cases
Victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse
Clients facing the criminal justice system
Alcohol and other drug dependency
Foster children with complex needs
Physical and intellectual disabilities
Grief, loss and relationships
Challenging behaviour
Homelessness
Unemployment
In addition to my current studies and University placements, I have two roles that I am employed
within that enable me to meet this criterion. As a Personal Carer, I provide support to a 30 year old
male, who is a paraplegic, enabling him to live in his own home. In addition to the support I provide
through addressing his immediate physical, domestic and administrative requirements, I work to
ensure he is connected with the appropriate parties, including a qualified community nurse. I have
always had a strong focus on client advocacy, and utilise networks and services to ensure that he
is connected to the community. I also work as a Community Support Worker to an intellectually
disabled male client, who has complex needs (further details of which are outlined in the following
criterion).
I have always applied a holistic approach to each of my clients, providing referrals and engaging
support services that enable them to develop life skills, independency, responsibility and a feeling
of inclusion. Currently working at Youth Connections with children of various ages and
backgrounds, my role involves providing them with the appropriate connections and services to
get their life on a positive track. I ensure that they have the opportunity to mix in appropriate
community environments and activities. Through providing them with activities and a forward
direction, they feel empowered, with a sense of purpose, increased confidence and part of the
community.
My background will stand me in good stead to take on the role of Outreach Support Worker, not
only delivering services, but raising awareness of issues and existing services, and contributing to
the prevention of crime. With my experience in providing support and supervision to a diverse
range of clients, I have developed a wide network of contacts, and an understanding of the issues
faced by various groups.
4. Demonstrated experience working with clients who have an Intellectual Disability
I confidently meet this criterion, with current experience as a Community Support Worker for
ME@Company in Hornsby, NSW. This is a permanent part-time role that I have held since 2013,
where I provide support to a 43-year-old male client with an intellectual disability, and Autism
Spectrum Disorder.
The objective of my role is to assist my client to live in his own home, through supporting all of his
daily routines, activities and community involvement. This involves all aspects of his personal care
and hygiene, assisting with meals, hydration and medication. A large focus of my role is to display
respect and encouragement, enabling my client to maintain dignity, and as much independence
and personal time as is deemed safe and appropriate. Wherever possible, I ensure that he is
offered choices to empower him. Along with the wishes of his family, I support him to engage in
the community. It is important for my client to gain a sense of belonging, while broadening his
horizons, offering a change of scenery, sensory experiences and social interactions.
Working with a high needs client, I need to be present at all times. I accompany him on outings,
and have developed methods to keep both of us safe. For example, my client can often become
insecure in unfamiliar environments, and become agitated, frustrated and impatient. When
shopping, on several occasions he has expressed a dislike for walking, and suddenly grasps me,
pulling my hair and not releasing his grip. Over time, I have learned to read the signs of his
distress, and take steps to prevent this type of situation. With his safety being paramount, I step
away, while talking to him in a calm manner, ensuring he can see me. I wait until he is calm, and
show him empathy and support. Through maintaining my composure, and being consistent in my
approach, I am able to enable him to transition safely through his frustrations, and note the things
that cause him to become distressed.
With a certification in Aged Care and Home and Community Care, and training in ongoing mental
health and managing challenging behaviours, I am equipped to deal with a range of intellectual
disabilities and mental health issues, and have a good understanding of key concepts in order to
provide high quality support. I understand how the support I provide is a crucial aspect of people’s
lives, and has a significant influence on their confidence, function and access to community-based
facilities and services. I enjoy providing a role that enables opportunities for inclusion, participation
and contribution.
5. Understanding of issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients
With 10 years of community welfare experience, I have developed a high level of empathy and
understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, their culture and the health
and social issues impacting them. I have the ability to build trust with these clients, and provide
acceptable support that incorporates cultural preferences and beliefs.
A strong example of working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients includes extensive
volunteer work as a Counsellor and Psychotherapist at The Glen Centre (Alcohol and Other Drugs
Rehabilitation Centre). The founding motivation for developing the centre was due to the suffering
of Indigenous people at the hands of drugs and alcohol, trying to get men out of the criminal
justice system and into treatment for the addictions that caused offending behaviour. The centre
recognises the over-representation of Indigenous Australians in the prison system, their hazardous
levels of substance use and their lower levels of participation in education and employment, and
has designed a holistic treatment program to address these issues. While working here in the area
of grief and loss counselling, I provided support to clients that incorporated spiritual, mental and
physical aspects, as well as gaining an insight into the things that cause addictive behaviour. The
program focused on empowering people to take control of their lives, to be strong and active
members of their families and communities. All actions were based on Indigenous values and
spirituality, with an emphasis on the individual and the consequences of their choices.
I have gained knowledge of the issues surrounding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in many
roles, including as a Contact Worker for Wesley Mission, and working with Indigenous youths at
Youth Connect. I have encountered issues such as substance abuse, homelessness, criminal
activity, unemployment, domestic violence and sexual abuse, and am skilled in providing support,
counselling and referrals in these areas. I have a strong knowledge of the services available to
connect Indigenous people with their own culture, and provide education and services in a safe
environment.
Over time I have become skilled in how to communicate with Indigenous clients. I understand that
some lines of questioning may be deemed inappropriate, and some matters are preferably
discussed with someone of the same sex. I also understand that it is not part of the Indigenous
culture to just proactively attend appointments or suggested services at specified times. I have had
to exercise a degree of flexibility and patience in regard to this practice, and have utilised an
Aboriginal Liaison Officer, who can then assume responsibility and either encourage the client to
attend, or accompany them. I also apply active questioning techniques when liaising with
Indigenous clients, and encourage them to ask questions, ensuring the message has been
interpreted correctly.
In working within organisational frameworks, legislation and adhering to policies, I highly value the
cultural differences that I encounter with my clients. I incorporate this awareness into all dealings,
treating all parties with respect to deliver culturally appropriate support.
