Career pathways in Ipswich leading the way

Launching an innovative Case Management Internship Program during National Homelessness Week, Specialist Housing and Homelessness Service inCommunity Inc is leading the way in creating career pathways for this much-needed profession.

“Our Inaugural Case Management Internship Program is borne from our organisation identifying the need to nurture aspiring community sector practitioners. From day one, our Interns will gain on-the-ground experience here in the Ipswich community while receiving dedicated support from an experienced Mentor,” says CEO Paul Tommasini.

To commence the paid 12-month Case Management Internship Program, inCommunity hosted an Induction Day for the Interns on Wednesday 7th August, prior to their official commencment date of Monday 12th August 2024.

The Induction Day included a range of foundational learnings for Belinda, Carly and Jasper including inCommunity’s Why, Just Cause and Values shared by our CEO Paul Tommasini and Deputy CEO Nerissa Wade as well as meeting their Mentors and other Leaders within the inCommunity Inc team.

In this Program the Interns will engage with people experiencing homelessness: whether sleeping rough, via supported crisis accommodation, or on their pathway to independent housing. In the year ahead, the team will receive dedicated mentorship from an experienced practitioner while they undertake more formal studies, as required, to obtain a community/human services qualification to support their learnings.

“The reasons why people experience homelessness are multi-faceted and complex, so ensuring that our newest members of the team are provided with dedicated support to navigate their early career is essential. Our 12 month paid Internship Program is an investment by inCommunity Inc in the future of our profession,” says CEO Paul Tommasini.

“Commencing our program in National Homelessness Week is significant for our Interns as it’s a week when our sector puts the national spotlight on the importance of supporting people experiencing homelessness, something our organisation seeks to do every day,” says Deputy CEO Nerissa Wade.

All three Interns bring a passion for working in the Social Services Sector, with a diverse range of experience and/or studies in the Aged Care and Disability sectors as well as related areas such as community services, psychology and criminology.

What the Interns say about participating in inCommunity Inc’s Inaugural Case Management Internship Program:

Belinda says, “this was my original career pathway I was seeking but life took me in a different direction. So I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to work and study while returning to my long-term passion for community services.”

Carly says, “I’m excited for this new opportunity. I’ve been seeking to get into this sector since finishing uni. I can’t wait to get to work, helping the Ipswich community.”

Jasper says, “it’s an invaluable opportunity to gain experience and knowledge from dedicated Case Managers working in the Ipswich community.”

What the Interns say about the issue of homelessness:

Belinda says, “seeing the impact on people coming close to or experiencing homelessness due to current rental pressures inspires me to do this work.”

Carly says, “I can’t see the issue of homelessness diminishing in the near future when the housing crisis is not really going down. So it’s great to be part of an Intern Program for Case Managers to support people experiencing homelessness.”

Jasper says, “there is a huge growing need to support people experiencing homelessness and a big demand for workers. Yet it’s very hard to get experience in the sector, so this is a fantastic opportunity.”