Morwell, as well as being partly co-located within a Churchill community setting. Travel to other Gippsland offices as required

Transcription

1 Position Description Position: Parenting Support Worker Classification: SCHADS Award Level 5 (Social Worker Class 2) Program: Hours: Duration: Location: Accountability: Parent Support Program 0.8 EFT Fixed Term 6 months Morwell, as well as being partly co-located within a Churchill community setting. Travel to other Gippsland offices as required Team Leader Parentzone Date: January 2017 INTRODUCTION At Anglicare Victoria our focus is on transforming the futures of children and young people, families and adults. Our work is based on three guiding pillars, Prevent, Protect, Empower. We offer a comprehensive network of services and seek to ensure the provision of high quality services that will bring about significant improvements in the life experience of the young people, children and families/caregivers with whom we work. Anglicare Victoria has an official Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) that bears the Reconciliation Action Trademark. The RAP requires that staff continue to develop their cultural competence so as to maximise opportunities and improved outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Anglicare Victoria is committed to ensuring the health and safety of its employees and any other individuals present in our workplaces. In achieving and maintaining workplace health and safety, Anglicare Victoria will apply best practice in OHS in accordance with statutory obligations at all times. All Anglicare Victoria employees and volunteers are required to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and for that of others in the workplace by working in accordance with legislative requirements and the company s OHS policies and procedures. OHS - Employees are required to complete the OHS requirements of the organisation, which may include local level training relating to equipment usage or Hazardous Chemicals. Employees, contractors and volunteers are required to: understand and comply with all OHS legislation and regulations relevant to their activities at the designated workplace and undertake training as required take reasonable care their actions or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of themselves and others HRF Page 1 of 5

2 cooperate with any reasonable directions, policies and procedures relating to health and safety in the workplace report all injuries, illness or near misses to the Team Leader/Supervisor or Regional Manager. OVERVIEW OF PROGRAM The Parent Support Program forms part of Anglicare s Family Services programs and works towards strengthening the capacity of families to provide a safe, stable and developmentally appropriate environment for children to grow up in. The Parent Support Program (PSP) provides early intervention and prevention support to improve the development and wellbeing of children by supporting the capacity of families to improve their parenting skills and to increase their involvement in the community. The PSP targets families that come into contact with Child FIRST but for risk and threshold reasons are not accepted into the State funded Family Services system. PSP provides Intake and Assessment of client needs and short term intensive parenting education and support for up to 3-4 months. Families that are identified as needing longer term interventions during their PSP program will be supported in accessing further services appropriate to their needs. The PSP offers service to families with children aged 0-12 years (up to 18 in some instance). PSP provides practical parenting support to vulnerable and disadvantaged families within the Churchill area and surrounds. Service delivery focuses on connecting families to their community, existing support services (early years services, parenting groups) parenting education, in home support and education. Through better access to information, advocacy, support and practical assistance the lives of children and families who otherwise struggle to access services will be improved. Parenting Support Workers will support a case load of children and families as well as participating in group work in line with the programs funding and service agreement. POSITION OBJECTIVES Using a team approach, the Parenting Support Worker will; (a) Undertake initial assessments on children and families who have been referred through Child FIRST utilising the Best Interests Assessment framework. (b) Provide an in-home parenting support service, working in partnership with families to achieve their goals, aimed at enhancing child/children s development and parenting skills and knowledge. (c) Focus on supporting primary school aged children who are at risk of disengagement from school or an educational precinct. This will include outreach to the families homes. (c) Take steps to reduce risks to children s safety and wellbeing and other family members. (d) Work with families to empower them to manage their life situation and to take charge of their lives, supporting and encouraging a positive engagement with their community. (e) Work collaboratively with ChildFIRST and Child Protection where appropriate as well as other professionals and the families broader social networks to ensure a co-ordinated support package is in place. (f) Participate in group work, advocacy and community development as required. HRF Page 2 of 5

3 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Undertake assessments of children and families in relation to need and risk utilising the Best Interest framework. 2. Provide direct parenting support to families in line with specific goals and assist them to develop and maintain new skills and behaviours. Goals are set in partnership with the family and supported by the use of the Family Outcomes Star. 3. Undertake joint work with professional, volunteer colleagues and other agencies involved with the family, including Child Protection where required. 4. Maintain risk and needs assessments for families in the program, in line with the Best Interest Assessment Framework. 5. Draw on a range of techniques to engage, motivate and sustain change within families. 6. Establish a working relationship with children and families which demonstrates respect and honest communication, particularly about protective concerns and consequences. 7. Work with children and families in identifying barriers to change, and providing direct assistance to overcome these barriers. 8. Provide genuine and empathic reflections of change observed within families. 9. Work with children and families to maintain supportive networks within the community that provide enduring support and reduce isolation. 10. Work with all families using a strength bases and pro-social approach. 11. Work respectfully with all families and be mindful of the cultural and social influences that each family may present with. PROGRAM 1. Maintain and support a case load of 6 families through 1-1 parenting support and group work.. 2. Fulfill the program requirements regarding case records, statistics and other data collection requirements. 3. Participate in action research and the ongoing development of the service model. 4. Provide a direct and/or group service to clients as required by the program. 5. Establish and maintain a presence within the Churchill community through co-location and community engagement. 6. Other duties as required to support in the delivery of the program. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 1. Ensure familiarity with available therapeutic approaches and strategies, relevant to working with children and their families. 2. Make an active commitment to the development and maintenance of a cohesive team and participate in staff meetings, team meetings and staff development. 3. Participate in regular supervision, performance review and training to acquire new techniques and strategies, enhancing the service s repertoire of knowledge and skills. KEY SELECTION CRITERIA Essential HRF Page 3 of 5

4 1. A relevant tertiary qualification in Community Welfare, Social Work, Psychology, Early Childhood Specialist and/or related behavioural sciences at degree level with substantial experience; or associate diploma level with substantial experience in the relevant service stream, or less formal qualifications with specialized skills sufficient to perform at this level. 2. Demonstrated awareness and commitment to working within the Best Interest Principles outlined within the Child, Youth and Families Act An understanding of the social context of child abuse and neglect. 4. Demonstrated ability to conduct comprehensive safety and wellbeing assessments and make sound judgments in relation to prescribed actions. 5. Demonstrated understanding and application of individual and systemic theories that underpin casework practice. 6. Sound understanding of Child Protection system and child welfare work and ability to liaise and negotiate with DHS Child Protection in relation to addressing protective concerns for children. 7. Understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity and the implications of working with clients from culturally diverse backgrounds. 8. Ability to think systemically in relation to client action planning, at the same time focusing on specific issues. 9. Ability to think broadly and holistically in relation to interventions with children and families. 10. Skills in engaging with families who are reluctant to use support services. 11. Effective written and verbal communication skills. 12. Excellent organisational, time management skills, and ability to be self-directed. 13. Computer skills in Microsoft Office packages. TERMS AND CONDITIONS Salary and conditions are in accordance with the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award Salary packaging is offered with this position. All offers of employment at Anglicare Victoria are subject to a six month probationary period. The staff member will be asked to participate in an annual performance review linked to objectives set out for the position. All offers of employment are subject to a satisfactory Criminal History Check and must provide a Working with Children Check prior to commencement. A current Victorian Driver s licence is essential. Anglicare Victoria is a member of HESTA (Health Employees Superannuation Trust). At present, we contribute 9.5% of ordinary time earnings to this fund. Staff may elect to choose their own superannuation fund. TO APPLY: HRF Page 4 of 5

5 Please apply in writing addressing the key selection criteria, and nominate three work-related referees and be sent to or by mail to: Lee McNeill, Program Manager Family Services, Anglicare Victoria, PO Box 959, Morwell VIC For further enquiries contact Lee McNeill on (03) Applications close 15 February HRF Page 5 of 5