Position Description INCUMBENT: POSITION: Team leader A&S.2 Access and Support Worker (Murrumbidgee).8 REPORTS TO: HOURS: TERMS: LOCATION: Team Leader 38 hours per week Permanent full time 2 year Contract to 30 June 2020 Griffith, Wagga Wagga or Wodonga to cover the Murrumbidgee District of NSW CLASSIFICATION: SCHCADS Modern Award, Level 6 1: About RDAS Regional Disability Advocacy Service (RDAS) was established in 2017 as a merger of Disability Advocacy and Information Service in Wodonga and Disability Advocacy Network in Wagga Wagga. RDAS provides independent, free and local advocacy services providing a voice and empowerment to people with all types of disability and all ages, living in North East Victoria and Southern parts of New South Wales including Riverina and Snowy Valley. RDAS advocates, informs, trains and resources individuals and organisations in human rights to enhance community participation by a diverse range of people in support services and the wider community. NSW Access and Support Position Description June 2018 1
2: Position Context: Team Leader The role of the Team Leader will oversee Access and Support, and community engagement projects targeting diversity, and linking people into the NDIS and My Aged Care. The role includes supervising staff, managing workloads, facilitating team meetings and monitoring work practices to ensure service standards are met. This position will supervise: 2 existing HACC/CHSP Access and Support workers based in Wodonga and Benalla Oversee 2 new A&S positions based in Murrumbidgee District of NSW Develop new opportunity for information, linkages and capacity building. Access and Support RDAS has received Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) funding through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to employ 2 Access and Support Workers (A&SW) to work across the Riverina and Murray region of NSW. The area includes, but is not limited to, Albury, Wagga Wagga, Hay, Murrumbidgee, Griffith, Leeton, Berrigan, Gundagai, Jerilderie, Tumbarumba, Snowy Valley, Murray, Edwards Rivers and Hilltop Councils. A&S workers will use a community engagement and assertive outreach model to engage hard to reach communities and locations to identify people with disability who, through diversity, have barriers that prevent them from accessing the supports they need through the NDIS and other specialist and main stream services including My Aged Care (MAC) A part of the role will be to work with community leaders to organising community events that can be used to provide information about the NDIS and other services to identify people who may not be accessing services. Once individuals have been identified, the A&S workers will be able to work with them for up to 3 months, to identify and assist in overcoming barriers which prevent them from accessing services, and then assisting them to access the services. 3: Main Duties and Responsibilities: Team Leader Meet with each team member for a supervision meeting at least every 6 weeks. Facilitate team meetings on a monthly basis. NSW Access and Support Position Description June 2018 2
Monitor work practices of staff ensuring that their work is consistent with appropriate service standards and practice guidelines. In consultation with the Executive Officer, develop work practices and procedures based on policy set by the Board and service standards. Facilitate training and support opportunities for team members. Facilitate a steering group for each project. Co-ordination and Administration In conjunction with the Executive Officer, develop and implement personal work plans for the team. Provide up-to-date information to the EO including provision of Board reports. Seek to develop skills and knowledge through training. Undertake clerical type duties relevant to the position. Provide a written report to the Board and steering committee on a quarterly basis outlining the activities of the team. Access and Support role Work closely with Local Area Coordinators, ability linkers and other services to identify people whose needs require additional services, and link the person into those services. The particular diverse target groups for the project are: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people People from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds Financially disadvantaged people which may lead to homelessness People living in remote or isolated areas. Including those outside towns with a population less than 5,000. Working with community The aim is to organise community wide events that will be used to provide information about the NDIS and other services to an audience that may not normally hear about support services. This project recognises that each community and cultural group is unique and may require a different approach. Time will need to be spent with each community identifying key stakeholder leaders and the approach that may be suitable for them. Some communities may be attracted by playback theatre, others may want a community BBQ or community festival to promote diversity and inclusion. NSW Access and Support Position Description June 2018 3
Working with individuals The position will target people with disability who are not able to access NDIS or other services, or require additional support because of their diverse needs. The position will be required to: provide short term, episodic support, for up the 12 weeks, to clients needing to engage with NDIS and other services at key stages of pathway to access provide information about the NDIS and other services to targeted diverse communities and individuals within them use strategies to empower people with disability, and their carers, and build their confidence in relation to access and use of services work collaboratively with service providers to facilitate improved client access and support. 3: Key Performance Indicators/Outputs Undertake staff supervision every 6 weeks and annual appraisals with each team member. Provide an A&S team report to the EO every 3 months. Work intensely with 4 diverse communities each year to organise a community wide event in each community. Provide information about the NDIS and other services to 500 people each year. Each year work with 40 people with disability from diverse backgrounds to assist them to overcome barriers that prevent them from accessing the NDIS and other services. 4: Competencies: Able to work independently under general supervision of Executive Officer. Able to lead a team of professionals who will be working in separate locations. Work collaboratively with communities and stakeholders to facilitate improved access to the NDIS and other services. Diversity: Specialist knowledge in relation to one or more diversity groups, for example CALD, Aboriginal, rural and remote. NSW Access and Support Position Description June 2018 4
Knowledge of the NDIS and the disability service system. Able to develop community linkages to maximise promotion of the NDIS to the target groups. 5: Key Selection Criteria: Knowledge and skills. Diversity: A broad understanding of diversity issues as they relate to individuals and their engagement with the NDIS. Service provision: Experience in the community service sector, relevant to needs assessment and referrals. An understanding of the NDIS and ability to communicate the key concepts to others. Familiar with person-centred and rights-based approach to service delivery. Community development/community engagement: An understanding of the principles of community capacity building and utilisation of community networks and community leaders to disseminate information and event organising. High level Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrated ability to promote community services and effectively present information sessions to a diverse audience. Able to manage issues within a team environment. Effective computer skills: Experience in developing presentations, emailing and collecting data. Qualifications and experience: Relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent work experience in relevant field. Current driver s licence or other demonstrated ability to be able to navigate rural roads throughout Southern NSW. Team work: ability to lead a team in a way to bring the best out of each team member. 6: Specialist Expertise: Client case work: Experience in working with clients in a case worker and/or relevant direct service provision role as stated in the knowledge and skills section above. Diversity: Specialist knowledge in relation to one or more diverse groups, for example CALD, Aboriginal, homeless, dementia or gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI). NSW Access and Support Position Description June 2018 5
7: Physical Demands and Work Environment: Be able to sit at a workstation for an extended period of time. Demonstrated ability to drive throughout the region. 8: Terms and Conditions of Employment: An innate element of the position requires the person to work on a one-to-one basis with vulnerable people including children. It is a requirement that the incumbent has a current National Criminal Record and Victorian or NSW Working with Children Checks. (RDAS will arrange if the successful applicant does not have these certificates.) Position will be based at an RDAS office in Wodonga, Griffith or Wagga Wagga. The Position will be required to regularly travel to areas in the Murrumbidgee District of NSW and North East Victoria. Some out-of-hours work and overnight travel will be required. RDAS owns a fleet of motor vehicles which are available for work related travel. There may be times when staff are asked to use their own vehicle. RDAS is an equal opportunity employer. RDAS offices and vehicles are smoke-free workplaces. 9: Risk Management Responsibilities Understand the principles of risk management and their application to all aspects of the work environment Manage threats and opportunities within their work environment Monitor the implementation of the Risk Management Policy and Framework within the work environment Participate in the development and implementation of Risk Action Plans for all risks within the work environment Undertake risk assessments for all proposed projects in consultation with relevant stakeholders prior to the projects proceeding. NSW Access and Support Position Description June 2018 6
10: Work Health and Safety: It is recognised under the work health and safety legislation in Australia, persons with team leader responsibilities are often delegated a duty of care for the implementation and enforcement of health and safety. This is due to the day-to-day management or control of the work activity responsibilities that the team leader often undertakes to carry out the works conducted with the workers. Team Leader must understand and accept his/her responsibilities in line with Section 18, 19, 20 and 21 of the WHS Act; and Section 21 of the Victorian OHS Act 2004. Team Leader reports to the Executive Officer, and at times will be requested to make work health and safety decisions for the advocates based on a consultative approach to what is reasonably practicable in ensuring health and safety. This will involve the responsibility of senior advocates with team leader responsibilities to have input into the identification of hazards and assessment of actions to be taken to control risks including: a) the likelihood of the hazard or the risk concerned occurring; and b) the degree of harm that might result from the hazard or the risk; and c) what the person concerned knows, or ought reasonably to know, about the hazard or the risk; and ways of d) eliminating or minimising the risk; and e) the availability and suitability of ways to eliminate or minimise the risk; and f) after assessing the extent of the risk and the available ways of eliminating or minimising the risk, the cost g) associated with available ways of eliminating or minimising the risk, including whether the cost is grossly h) disproportionate to the risk. The Team Leader as persons with management or control, are deemed a Duty of Care holder. RDAS is required to implement and enforce health and safety includes responsibilities for the advocates. This also means to confirm the safety requirements for the team leader to abide by for the safety of all workers, the workplace, fixtures, fittings and plant in accordance with Sections 19, 20 and 21 of the Model Australian WHS Act 2011. In doing so RDAS as a PCBU will ensure directives and requirements of the advocates and other workers will encompass the following requirements through input and responsibilities imposed on the senior advocates as persons with management or control. Ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of advocates and other workers engaged, or caused to be engaged; and workers whose activities in carrying out work NSW Access and Support Position Description June 2018 7
for RDAS are influenced or directed by the team leader; while the advocates and other workers are at work. Ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the health and safety of other persons is not put at risk from work carried out. Ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable the provision and maintenance of: A work environment without risks to health and safety; Safe plant, structures and safe systems of work; The safe use, handling and storage of plant, structures and substances; Adequate facilities for the welfare of workers in carrying out work including ensuring access to those facilities; Any information, training, instruction or supervision that is necessary to protect all persons from risks to their health and safety arising from work carried out as part of the conduct of the business or undertaking; The health of workers and the conditions at the workplace are monitored for the purpose of preventing illness or injury of workers arising from the conduct of the business or undertaking. Any self-employed person representing RDAS is to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, his or her own health and safety while at work. The workplace, the means of entering and exiting the workplace and anything arising from the workplace are without risks to the health and safety of any person. So far as is reasonably practicable, that the fixtures, fittings and plant are without risks to the health and safety of any person. The Team Leader will be held responsible for working conditions under their control to ensure: Relevant health and safety policies and procedures are implemented and monitored for compliance in their areas of control; All risk control measures in their areas of responsibility are implemented, regularly monitored and maintained; Workers under their control are provided with the necessary information, instruction and training to effectively and safely carry out their jobs. The Team Leader is responsible for safety on the site and duties include: implementing the RDAS work, health, safety and rehabilitation procedures; observing all WHS requirements and statutory rules and regulations; using the principles of the 3 level risk structure inclusive of the Hierarchy of Control in all activities to minimise the risk to all persons on site or affected by works conducted; carrying out task reviews with the team to assist in the identification of further risk reduction control measures participating in the consultation stages of proposals for activities and changes relating to WHS; stimulating a high level of safety awareness at all times; leading by example; ensuring safe vehicles, equipment and plant is provided, monitored and maintained; NSW Access and Support Position Description June 2018 8
insisting and ensuring on safe work practices at all times; investigating hazard reports and ensuring that corrective actions are undertaken; assisting in the identification and preparation of safe work practices; reviewing safety reports and inspections and initiating rectification where necessary; actioning safety reports and carrying out workplace inspections; leading and participating in tool box talks and safety meetings and programs; monitoring compliance with safe work methods (controls); ensuring that all works are conducted in a manner safe & without risk to workers health and safety; planning all work with safety as a key focus; providing advice and assistance on WHS to all workers; identifying WHS training programs in advance and allow for workers identified as requiring training to attend the training; conducting team briefings; participating in incident investigations; supervising and ensuring compliance with safe work procedures; stimulating a high level of safety awareness at all times. NSW Access and Support Position Description June 2018 9