POSITION DESCRIPTION POSITION: LOCATION: DIVISION: REPORTS TO: CLASSIFICATION: AWARD: REMUNERATION TIME FRACTION: Key Worker, Mental Health Respite: Carer Support 4-6 Peel Street, Ballarat Family & Community Services Coordinator, Mental Health Services Level 3 SCHADS Award As staff of a charitable organisation, Centacare staff are eligible to participate in salary sacrificing arrangements Part Time (0.4EFT) Fixed Term until 30/06/2019 DATE WRITTEN: September 2018 BACKGROUND: Centacare Catholic Diocese of Ballarat (Centacare) was established in 1978 as the social welfare arm of the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat. It now provides extensive services across the broader community. For more information, visit the Centacare website at www.centacareballarat.org.au Values Respect Inclusion Integrity Accountability Behaviours Be courteous and constructive Be fair don t take advantage Listen and value other people s opinions Acknowledge other people s contributions Provide timely and genuine feedback Be informed Share information Recognise and value differences Find ways to collaborate Develop relationships Do the right thing Be honest Do what you say you will do Say what you think Accept responsibility for your actions Do your job Challenge behaviours ABOUT FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES Centacare s Family & Community Services provide comprehensive, client focused services for individuals, couples, families, youth and children. Our services are informed by an approach that values human dignity and the belief that positive relationships lead to positive lives and wellbeing. The service design aims to ensure that our programs are Page 1 of 6
inclusive, responsive to the needs of people, and operate at the highest levels of quality and professionalism. Centacare aims to address present and changing needs of our clients, advocate for change and equity, deliver creative and flexible services, and improve community access for all. Services are integrated and strengths-based. Services provided from Centacare s Ballarat Office base are: Partners In Recovery (PIR), Family Mental Health Support Service (FMHSS), Mental Health Planned Respite, Mental Health Carer Support, Cradle to Kinder, Integrated Family Services, Youth Justice Community Support Service, Youth Justice Group Conferencing, Youth Diversion Program, Family School Support Services, Relationship Education, Support Services, Regional Parenting Program, Education and Skills Training, Counselling, Access To Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS), Family Dispute Resolution, Property Dispute Resolution, Victims Assistance Program (VAP), Clemente Program, Community Connections, HACC Access and Support, Supported Accommodation for Vulnerable Victorians, Housing Support for the Aged, Supporting Connections, Housing-Mental Health Pathways, Peplow House Crisis and Transitional Support, Housing Services and Employment Services. POSITION PURPOSE: The Mental Health Respite: Carer Support program provides support for Carers of people with mental illness to help sustain their caring roles. The Mental Health Respite: Carer Support program is Transitioning to the NDIS. The transition component of the role aims to manage the transition of existing activities to ensure: The people being cared for by Mental Health Respite: Carer Support participants are sensitively supported to apply for access into the NDIS. Continue to support Mental Health Respite: Carer Support participants, until the people they care for have NDIS individual plans and funded supports approved. REPORTING LINES The role will report to the Coordinator, Mental Health Services. LEVELS OF AUTHORITY Significant decisions will require the approval of the Coordinator, Mental Health Services, or the designated Program Manager. The extent of financial decision making will be as per the instrument of delegation. RELATIONSHIPS Internal: Works under direction from the Coordinator, Mental Health Services and works cooperatively with all employees. Develop a working relationship with all components of Centacare s management and staffing structure. External: All Mental Health Agencies and Networks, Carer Support Services, Ballarat Mental Health Services and other services and agencies related to the LGA areas serviced and other agencies as identified. Role Specific Duties & Responsibilities Client Services Engage with Carers to support and facilitate the transition of people with severe mental illness to the NDIS, including assistance with the application and planning processes where requested by the person with the mental illness. Assist participants to gather or document information that will help the person being cared for to engage with the NDIS Provide people with a mental illness, and their families and carers with information about the NDIS, and guide them through the NDIS participant pathway. Develop communication and engagement strategies as part of their business transition plans, to include mechanisms to disseminate key information about NDIS transition. Page 2 of 6
Role Specific Duties & Responsibilities Develop carer support plans with carers, to ensure the services provided meet their needs and the needs of their families, including care recipients where necessary. Coordinate carer support services and help carers navigate the mental health and community sectors. Liaise and work with other stakeholders to make referrals for carers of people with a mental illness, especially those caring for people who are unlikely to access the NDIS. Engage with NDIA contacts, including Local Area Coordinators, to support NDIS planning and participation. Transition MHR:CS participants whose care recipients are not able to access NDIS supports, to appropriate alternative supports before the end of the transition period. Assist with the day to day operation of the Respite property and promote the property to other agencies across regions. Work closely and collaboratively with the Centacare Planned Respite Support worker. Teamwork Be respectful and fair towards others. Work as an effective team member. Participate in team forums and activities. Operations & Ensure the accurate and timely entry of data as outlined in program guidelines. Administration Actively participate in organisational meetings and activities as required. Actively support the effective delivery of the Mental Health Respite: Carer Support Program. Be available to work flexible hours depending upon participants needs. Participate in the organisation s performance management system, including regular supervision in order to define annual objectives and professional development goals. Participate in professional development programs that assist the organisation to achieve its goals. Financial & Business Performance Expend program funds in accordance with the funding body guidelines and Centacare s instrument of delegation. Centacare Duties and Responsibilities Health and Safety Create, maintain, and foster a safe work environment at all times. Ensure your work does not adversely affect any other person. Identify, correct and report any unsafe act, condition or behaviour. Report any injury or incident to the safety department within 24 hours. Risk Management Ensure that Centacare s Risk Management Policy, program and the application of sound risk management practices within the workplace and community are adhered to and complied with at all times. Actively champion the organisational reporting system by ensuring all risks, accidents, incidents, and feedback are reported in a timely, responsive and responsible manner. Actively participate in organisational quality and risk management processes including external accreditation requirements. Page 3 of 6
EEO and Legislative Requirements Code of Ethics and Conduct Ensure personal compliance with all legislative requirements and lawful management directions. Ensure understanding and commitment to anti-bullying and anti-harassment legislations and Centacare policies, and ensure all personal interactions in the workplace with employees, clients, customers, student and fellow volunteers do not encompass any element that could be considered bullying or harassment. Be aware of and have an appreciation for the affirmative action and equal employment philosophy of Centacare. Actively support Centacare, Catholic Diocese of Ballarat mission, vision and values. Ensure full compliance to Centacare s Code of Ethics and Conduct. Operate within all Centacare policies, procedures and practice guidelines as well as relevant legislative requirements. Commitment to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. KEY SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE 1. Training or qualifications required: A minimum qualification of Certificate IV Mental Health and extensive experience in the mental health sector. 2. Personal attributes: Professional and mature with a good work ethic and a positive attitude in working with people. Well-developed priority and time management skills with the ability to multitask and work independently. Being able to follow through on tasks and have a flexible working approach. 3. Previous demonstrated experience: Demonstrated ability to work directly with clients with a diagnosed mental illness and their carers. 4. Specific skills and knowledge required: A sound knowledge of Mental Health, NDIS and related government legislation and evidence based directions. Ability to develop and implement effective client driven plans that guide the support provided to the client. 5. Ability to build sound relationships: Demonstrated skills in client engagement, and maintaining professional relationships and boundaries with clients. 6. Highly developed written, verbal and electronic communication skills: Demonstrated capacity to effectively communicate with organisational staff and management and external stakeholder contacts. 7. Computer skills required: Well-developed Microsoft Office skills in Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Ability to clearly present reports and complete online research when required. Experience using a client data system and demonstrated experience in writing case notes. ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS Provision of a satisfactory Police Check A current Working with Children Check A current unrestricted Australian Drivers Licence It is a condition of engagement that the incumbent continually meet the Disability Worker Exclusion Scheme Requirements (see Information Statement below) Page 4 of 6
POSITION INCUMBENT I have read and understood the requirements of this position description. I also acknowledge that description of this role is an outline and guide to the task of the professional activities needed to undertake the role successfully. Employee Name: Manager Name: Signature Date Signature Date Page 5 of 6
Attachment One: Information Statement about the Disability Worker Exclusion Scheme Background In order to comply with the requirements of the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014, Centacare provides this Information Statement for all prospective Disability Workers (as defined). Requirements for employment Centacare is required to provide a person s details to the Disability Worker Exclusion Scheme (DWES) Unit to check if their name is on the List before permitting them to commence work as a Disability Worker. If a prospective disability worker does not agree to participate in the DWES than they cannot be engaged by Centacare or another disability service provider as a Disability Worker. Additional Information Prospective Disability Workers need to be aware of the following information: If, during the recruitment process, information comes to light which, if correct, may satisfy the criteria for a person being registered on the DWES List (the List) of excluded workers, Centacare will be required to notify the DWES Unit. The DWES Unit may also notify other disability service providers or authorised labour hire agencies that currently engage the prospective Disability Worker. The consequence of having your name placed on the Disability Worker Exclusion List is that you will be prevented from being engaged by Centacare or another disability service provider as a Disability Worker in a disability service. The DWES Unit maintains the List and may advise other employers or prospective employers that are disability service providers, if the person is on the List or is the subject of a Notification. Process for checking a prospective Disability Worker against the List A preferred candidate will need to complete and sign a Consent and Acknowledgement Form provided by Centacare which will be forwarded to the DWES Unit to check a person s details against the List. In addition, preferred candidates will need to complete and sign a Statutory Declaration for Disability Workers supplied by Centacare. Page 6 of 6