Students & Interns - NSW

Humanitarian Settlement Program

The Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP) supports humanitarian entrants and other eligible visa holders during their initial settlement. The HSP helps new arrivals settle into Australian to gain independence and build strong connections in their new communities.

SSI’s HSP is delivered to clients using an individualised case management approach tailored to their needs, strengths and goals. The types of support clients receive may include:

• airport reception
• short-term accommodation
• referral to mainstream and specialist support services
• connections to local community groups and activities
• assistance to find long-term accommodation
• help to learn English, gain employment and access education and training
• orientation to Australia values and laws

Students placed with HSP support case manager to achieve program goals by facilitating access to local services, supporting life skills development, building social networks and community links relevant program administration duties.

Locations

• SSI delivers HSP in Sydney (Auburn, Bankstown, Fairfield, Lilyfield, Liverpool and Mt Druitt)
• regional NSW (Armidale, Coffs Harbour and Newcastle)

Depending on capacity, students can be placed in all these locations.

Student Placement Criteria  

Students studying:

• Cert III, IV and Diplomas in Community Services, Case Management
• Bachelors of Community Services
• Bachelors/Masters of Social Work

We have a need for students who speak Arabic, an Afghan language or Ukranian, but we have opportunities for people who don't speak these languages as well. 

HSP Learning Opportunities 

• understanding the impact of people settlement journey and experience in access community/govt services and support
• understanding the role of case work in supporting positive outcomes, experiences and connection
• communication skills with individuals, families and groups
• identify and respond professionally and appropriately to clients’ needs
• social work practice and reflection
• work independently and as part of a team
• work in culturally responsive practice frame-work
• liaise and partner with other organisations/agencies to address client needs

Clinical Practice Unit

The Clinical Practice Unit (CPU) supports all SSI clients (including children, young people and their families) with consultancy and client referrals where there are concerns for their safety and wellbeing, who may not be utilising or eligible for psychological services or are on a wait list.

The CPU offers home, clinical and telephone client consultations across Sydney and periodic on-site visits to regional centres, providing individual, couple and family therapy, short term counselling support (up to 8 sessions), assessment, referral to ongoing support, and caseworker consultation.

The CPU prioritises clients whose treatment needs are not able to be met through existing services in the community and/or are a client of the Multicultural Child and Family program.

Location/Area of Operation

• Main office – Bankstown
• All Sydney regions
• Regional centres occasionally (including Newcastle and Central Coast)

Student Placement Criteria  

Students studying:

• Cert III, IV and Diplomas in Community Services, Case Management, Counselling,
• Bachelor of Community Services, Bachelor/Master of Social Work
• Bachelor of Counselling, Bachelor/Master of Psychology

CPU Learning Opportunities

• Conducting assessments and analysing behaviours
• 1 on 1 and group work with clients
• Assisting with case management
• Community development projects
• Youth work
• Research

Multicultural Child and Family Program

The Multicultural Child Family Program (MCFP) provides a range of services to support children and young people aged 0-18 years old who have experienced significant risk of harm and are known to the Department of Community and Justice (DCJ).

The program provides casework, case management and foster care services to assist children in achieving their permanency care goals - be that family preservation, restoration, guardianship, adoption, or long-term foster care.

​​​​​​​The program specialises in services to support children and young people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. It aims to match children with carers and/or caseworkers who share the same culture.  When it cannot achieve this match, it supports children and families through culturally responsive services, ensuring there is a link with at least one person who shares their culture.

Locations

SSI operates the Multicultural Child and Family Program in NSW and Victoria.

NSW Main Office – Bankstown  

The program is active in other parts of metropolitan Sydney as well as the Hunter region and Central Coast.

Victoria Main Office – Carlton

Operates in Melbourne’s northern suburbs

Student Placement Criteria  

Students studying:

• Bachelor/Master of Social Work

MCFP Learning Opportunities

• Intake and placement matching
• Case planning and leaving
• Placement monitoring
• Individual/family needs support and referral (e.g. medical, wellbeing, education, financial)
• work independently and as part of a team
• work in culturally responsive practice frame-work

Student Placement – Welcome Program Review    

The Welcome Program supports new arrivals from humanitarian backgrounds by connecting them with established locals to make them feel safe and welcome in their new home. It has encouraged cross-cultural relationships in Australian communities since 2018.
The volunteer Welcome Ambassadors come together with local newcomers to enjoy a group activity based on common interests — be it exploring iconic landmarks or finding a scenic picnic spot to share a meal. The purpose is to create a backdrop and opportunity for meaningful connection and cross cultural exchange.
The program began as Welcome2Sydney (W2S), co-designed with the City of Sydney, and was then named the Welcome Project. Following its award-winning successes, it evolved into SSI’s Welcome Program to expand into areas outside of Sydney like Coffs Harbour where it launched in June 2022.

SSI Community Engagement is offering a student placement to review the Welcome Program under the following criteria:

• Commitment requested: Minimum 3 months
• Report to Community Engagement Manager    
• Location: Ashfield NSW
• Start date: February 2024
• Days of commitment (flexible and subject to change) 

Specific duties and responsibilities

• Program Assessment
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Data Collection and Analysis
• Best Practices Research
• Recommendations and Reporting
• Documentation and Reporting
• Communication and Teamwork
• Actively support SSI Group’s vision and values
• Work in accordance with SSI Group policies and procedures 
• Follow all reasonable directions provided by Community Engagement Manager or delegate

Position requirements
Background checks: Working with Children Check and Police Clearance (N.B. The police check will be paid for by SSI Group)

Essential  

• Enrolment in a relevant undergraduate or graduate program, such as social work, sociology, international relations, or a related field.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Desirable

• Previous experience working with people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds
• Interested in supporting refugees and immigrants in their settlement journey.
• Interested in SSI causes and communities.