Welfare Support Workers

Welfare Support Workers provide support, information and advice to clients on emotional, financial, recreational, health, housing and other social welfare matters, and evaluate and coordinate the services of welfare and community service agencies.

Most occupations in this field typically require an Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma.

At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Tasks Include:

• assessing clients' needs and planning, developing and implementing educational, training and support programs
• interviewing clients and assessing the nature and extent of difficulties
• monitoring and reporting on the progress of clients
• referring clients to agencies that can provide additional help
• assessing community need and resources for health, welfare, housing, employment, training and other facilities and services
• liaising with community groups, welfare agencies, government bodies and private businesses about community issues and promoting awareness of community resources and services
• supporting families and providing education and care for children and disabled persons in adult service units, group housing and government institutions
• supervising offenders on probation and parole
• assisting young people to solve social, emotional and financial problems
• preparing submissions for funding and resources, and reports to government bodies and other agencies

Occupations:

• Community Worker 
• Disabilities Services Officer 
• Family Support Worker 
• Parole or Probation Officer 
• Residential Care Officer 
• Youth Worker

Community Worker

Facilitates community development initiatives and collective solutions within a community to address issues, needs and problems associated with recreational, health, housing, employment and other welfare matters.

Specialisations:

• Community Development Officer 
• Community Support Worker 
• Housing Officer

Disabilities Services Officer

Works in a range of service units which provide education and community access to people with intellectual, physical, social and emotional disabilities.

Family Support Worker

Assists the work of Social Workers and Welfare Workers by providing services and support to families.

Parole Or Probation Officer

Supervises offenders who have been placed on probation by court order or released conditionally from corrective service institutions.

Residential Care Officer

Provides care and supervision for children or disabled persons in group housing or institutional care.

Youth Worker

Alternative Titles:

• Youth Officer 
• Youth Support Worker

Assists young people as individuals or groups to solve social, emotional and financial problems in an agency framework.

Specialisations:

• Juvenile Justice Officer 
• Youth Accommodation Support Worker 
• Youth Liaison Officer