Description:
Not all heroes wear capes … but plenty of them are here at The Living Room!
A bit about the role
Looking for a role where you can make a real impact — without sitting behind a desk all day?
We’re on the lookout for a hands-on, reliable, and compassionate Client Support Worker to join the frontline team at The Living Room, our health and support service for adults experiencing homelessness. This is a role where you’ll step into action, meet people where they’re at, and help create a safer, more connected community — one person at a time. Whether you’re from a support work, security, community services, or lived experience background — if you know how to stay calm under pressure, communicate with respect, and hold a steady presence in challenging environments, we want to hear from you.
What You’ll Be Doing Day to Day
Your days won’t all look the same — but here’s a snapshot of the kind of work you’ll get involved in:
- Welcoming people through our doors and creating a safe, calm and non-judgemental space
- Conducting initial client assessments and linking people with nurses, GPs, and other services onsite
- Helping people access practical supports like showers, laundry, material aid, and meals
- Keeping the drop-in space running smoothly — supporting with the flow, maintaining safety, and defusing tension
- Assisting with crisis response and helping people navigate complex issues around homelessness, mental health or substance use
- Completing clear, accurate notes and handovers so the whole team stays aligned
- Engaging with people on the street or at outreach shifts, connecting them to the support they need
- Working alongside nurses, AOD specialists, harm reduction workers, GPs and housing services
- Jumping in where needed — whether it’s restocking toiletries or talking someone through a tough moment
Please Note: The Living Room works with people aged 18+.
Key Requirements:
- Cert IV or Diploma in Community Services, AOD, Mental Health, or similar – or relevant lived experience
- Direct service working with clients experiencing multiple and complex needs
- Knowledge and understanding of homelessness, housing and health sectors
- Availability for shifts in Melbourne CBD
People with a lived experience of homelessness, AOD use, and/or poor mental health are encouraged to apply
Want to challenge yourself and see what real change looks like? Come join the The Living Room team.
Now … let’s talk about you
You might have formal training, or you might bring strong life experience — either way, you’re someone who:
✔️Is calm under pressure and doesn’t get rattled easily
✔️Can set strong boundaries while staying respectful and approachable
✔️Has experience working with people who’ve faced serious challenges, including mental health, AOD, homelessness or trauma
✔️Knows how to spot risk and respond early
✔️Has a genuine interest in helping people get back on their feet
✔️Communicates clearly, can hold space, and knows when to ask for support
✔️You’ve got experience supporting a range of complex needs and bring a mix of best practice and responsive thinking to help us provide high-impact support, without judgement!
A bit about us
The Living Room is a primary health service. The team works with people aged 18+ to provide free healthcare and support to improve the physical, mental, and social well-being of individuals who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness.
The only service of its kind in Melbourne, it focuses on the social determinants of health to look beyond disease or illness to see a person’s overall situation. Our multidisciplinary team works with individuals to identify goals and focus on harm minimisation, self-determination, and empowerment.
Our non-judgemental service strongly focuses on respect, client-centred care and harm prevention. We work with clients on a personalised, tailored basis to address highly complex issues faced by people experiencing multiple and complex needs. Youth Projects is an independent, registered charity that provides front-line support to young people and individuals experiencing disadvantage, unemployment, homelessness, and alcohol and other drug issues. We recognise the complex and varying needs of the people we work with and go above and beyond, 365 days a year, to provide pathways out of poverty.
Why should you work with us?
We’re all about keeping things professional while still having a blast at work! Our team brings high energy to everything we do, but we also know when take it easy. Flexibility is key here—whether you’re tackling the next big project or taking time for yourself, we’ve got your work/life balance covered. And let’s not forget, every day you’re here, you’re making a real impact to real people. But that’s just the start. Check out these awesome perks waiting for you:
- You’re in the heart of Melbourne and a 5-minute walk from Flinders St Station
- Access to generous salary packaging
- Access to meals & entertainment benefits and novated leasing (if desired)
- Clinical supervision and management supervision every fortnight
- Flexible work environment
- Uncapped Employee Assistance Program
- 17.5% Annual Leave Loading
Have you made it this far?
If you’re still reading, we think there’s a strong chance you might be our kind of person.
Send through your resume + a cover letter by clicking “Apply for the Job.”
Recruitment for this position will be undertaken as applications are received, and only successful applicants will be notified. Please note that it is a requirement of all Youth Projects positions that the successful applicant holds a valid Working Children’s Check or Police Check.
Our commitment to diversity: At Youth Projects, we value diversity and believe that people from a range of backgrounds bring a variety of ideas, perspectives, and experiences that will enhance our effectiveness. We promote a workplace that actively seeks to include, welcome, and value unique contributions and encourage applications from candidates with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and Indigenous candidates.
Safety screening: Youth Projects is committed to being a child-safe organisation, providing an environment where children who come into contact with the organisation feel safe. Youth Projects has zero tolerance