Housing First Team Leader
Position Description
Housing First is an exciting new collaborative programme being established by the Auckland
City Mission and Lifewise. Housing First will provide rapid housing and wrap around
supports to people experiencing chronic homelessness in the Auckland city centre.
As the Housing First Team Leader you will be involved in the development and
implementation of a flexible and dynamic programme that will meet the needs of people
experiencing chronic homelessness. You will also be responsible for the daily operation and
supervision of a multi-disciplinary Housing First team.
You will provide supervision and leadership for the Housing First team. You will ensure that
the principles of the Housing First programme are expressed in all aspects of team practice.
You will maintain oversight to ensure that participant’s self-identified goals for recovery and
community integration are supported by appropriate services and best practices.
The Team Leader will initially work alongside a project team to embed the Housing First
programme in the Auckland city centre.
WHO YOU REPORT TO
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You will be employed by Lifewise and report to both the Community Services Manager,
Lifewise Trust and an Auckland City Mission Team Leader.
WHO REPORTS TO YOU
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An initial team of five staff, including; key workers, peer support workers and
administration. This team is expected to grow to approximately ten by the end of 2017.
WHAT YOU’RE RESPONSIBLE FOR
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Provide leadership and management for the Housing First programme team comprised
of key workers, peer workers, whānau workers, and administration staff
Continuously develop and adapt the programme to meet the needs of those
experiencing chronic homelessness
Ensure the workforce development and growth of the Housing First team
Develop and maintain relationships with other organisations, including government,
social services, social housing and community-led groups
Date Approved: November 2016
Approved by: CEO Lifewise Trust
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Maintain fidelity to the Housing First principles
Supervise electronic and written record-keeping activities, e.g databases, on-call logs,
incident reports, case notes and files. Provide data for written reports requested for
internal purposes and for funding sources.
Collaborate with the Housing Specialist to ensure optimal housing placement for
participants
Create and maintain consistent communication channels, both verbal and written,
between different groups (i.e. tenant, landlord, Housing First key workers, collaborating
agencies).
WHAT SKILLS & EXPERIENCE YOU NEED
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Significant leadership and management experience
Excellent relationship and communication skills (verbal, written and computer literacy)
Knowledge of tikanga me te reo Māori and experience working within a kaupapa Māori
service preferred
Patience, creativity, flexibility, compassion, and sensitivity to persons with experience of
chronic homelessness, mental health issues, addictions, cognitive impairments and
physical health concerns
Have significant experience in working alongside people with mental health issues,
substance abuse and/or trauma
Qualification in a clinical or community specialty (i.e. social work, nursing, psychology,
psychiatry, occupational therapy, counselling, social sciences, law, and or community
development)
Date Approved: November 2016
Approved by: CEO Lifewise Trust