POSITION DESCRIPTION Position Title: Program / Unit: Award: Classification: Position reports to: Therapeutic Residential Care Worker MacKillop Family Services Social, Community, Home Care & Disability Services (SCHCADS) Industry Award 2010 TBD Southern Metro House Supervisors ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT Established in 1997 MacKillop Family Services (MacKillop) continues the child and family welfare ministries of the Christian Brothers (Oceania), the Sisters of Mercy (Melbourne) and the Sisters of St. Joseph (Victoria) in Western Sydney, Wollongong, NSW South Coast, Melbourne, Geelong, Warrnambool and Perth. Programs include Home Based and Residential Care, Refugee Services, Disability Services, Youth Support, Education and Training, Family Support and support of women and men who as children were in the care of our founding agencies. MacKillop Family Services involves a staff of some 800 personnel and nearly 420 volunteers. Operating out of more than 30 sites our budget expenditure is $65 million. MacKillop Family Services has embarked upon a journey of change through its adoption of the Sanctuary Model. The Sanctuary model is underpinned by the commitments of: Nonviolence, Emotional Intelligence, Social Learning, Open Communication, Social Responsibility, Democracy, Growth and Change The Sanctuary Model is a blueprint for clinical and organisational change which, at its core, promotes safety and recovery from adversity through the active creation of a trauma-informed community. A recognition that adversity is pervasive in the experience of human beings forms the basis for the Sanctuary Model s focus not only on the people who seek services, but equally on the people and systems who provide those services. OUR VALUES Respect: We seek to listen and learn from each other and to build relationships with respect; Collaboration: We commit to working in a collaborative spirit through cooperation, coordination, and partnership; Hope: We commit to creating an atmosphere of hope where people find meaning in their experiences and relationship; Justice: We believe in the right of all people, regardless of belief or culture, to be treated justly and fairly; and Compassion: We commit to creating an attitude of openness to others and to their circumstances.
POSITION PURPOSE MacKillop s Out of Home Care Division provides residential care, home based care, lead tenant and case management support for young people with high and complex needs, and a therapeutically oriented program for young people in protective placements. This position is situated within Residential Services which is part of the Out of Home Care Division. The primary purpose of this role is ensuring that the young people are cared for through the creation of positive, safe, healing relationships and experiences informed by a sound understanding of trauma, damaged attachment and developmental needs. PRIMARY OBJECTIVES The Therapeutic Residential Care Worker is responsible for the provision of day to day care, nurture and development of the resident children and young people in accordance with their Individual Therapeutic Treatment Plan (ITTP). They will provide high quality daily care for resident children and young people that is therapeutically based and in line with MacKillop s practices by making a positive contribution to the daily operation of the Residential Home. They will participate in team planning with other residential care workers, case managers, the therapeutic practitioner and other staff. Further, they are responsible for contributing to best practice Occupational Health & Safety, complying with the Sanctuary Model and positively contributing to the development of MacKillop Family Services. KEY RESULT AREAS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Provide support and care to young people Provide high quality day to day physical and emotional care for children and young people in residential care that is informed by a sound understanding of trauma, damaged attachment and developmental needs. Provide encouragement for young people to attend school and to complete their homework. Actively seek to involve the young people in sporting, community and cultural activities. Cook nutritional meals, and ensure clients always have access to fruit, snacks, and basic items such as milk and bread. Ensure clothing and linen is washed regularly. Treat clients with respect at all times, and interact with young people to provide them with company and emotional support. Work with the supervisor, therapeutic practitioner, other staff and residents to develop an appropriate set of rules and expectations of behaviour within the home. Ensure the rights of young people are protected and respected at all times. Practice in a manner that is sensitive to the needs of young people with an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or Culturally and Linguistically Diverse background. Provide opportunities for children and young people to maintain contact, and where appropriate, invite family members, relatives and friends to the home.
Maintain an appropriate professional relationship with the children/young peoples families as determined within the Looking After Children (LAC) process and the ITTP, and in conjunction with the relevant case manager. Foster the self-esteem and identity for young people by helping them acquire and care for personal possessions, assist them to maintain their Life Books and other identity resources, and assist them to create individual living space in the home. Ensure that the physical environment is maintained to a standard that creates a sense of pride in their surroundings for residents. This includes undertaking appropriate cleaning, gardening and general tidiness tasks within the home as required. Ensure that procedures relating to the home s communication book, reporting and recording of critical incidents, missing residents and residential care standards are followed. Report immediately to the Placement Agency Case Worker (PACW) and/or case manager, or the on-call worker, any protective concerns regarding a young person living at the home. Have a clear understanding of each young person s LAC and Individual Therapeutic Treatment plans, and contribute to these, including the completion of allocated tasks and responsibilities. 2. House Operation Implement MFS and residential home policy and procedures. Create a warm, home-like environment, and maintain an accepting and supportive relationship with family and community contacts of each resident. Participate in a positive manner in any internal and external case conferences, reflective practice sessions, LAC and/or DHS planning and review processes, and other meetings as arranged Collaborate with other staff and organisations to support each child and young person s placement plans, including community integration, and eventual transition to family or alternative placement. 3. Team Work Participate as a member of the team through co-operation, collaboration and professionalism, including resolving any conflict in a timely and thoughtful manner. Work cooperatively with other staff involved in the care and development of children and young people in placement to ensure that routines, community activities, and behavioural expectations are consistently maintained for the young people. Constructively participate in supervision with the Therapeutic Residential House Supervisor or relevant line manager. Participate in appropriate professional development opportunities and an annual performance appraisal.
4. Service Development Implement the purpose and values of MacKillop Family Services. Participate in the development of policy and practice guidelines for MacKillop Family Services Participate in program and service reviews. Attend appropriate house and other meetings. 5. OHS Responsibilities Observe and actively support MacKillop s OH&S policies and strategies. Work in a safe manner to ensure that his/her acts or omissions do not affect adversely the health or safety of any other person Take care of their own health and safety, and that of fellow employees Not wilfully interfere with or misuse items or facilities provided in the interests of health, safety and welfare of employees Follow the MacKillop Family Services Issue Resolution Procedure for the purpose of resolving issues affecting one s health, safety and welfare Consult with direct supervisors and/or managers regarding health & safety issues affecting one s work place Complete Near Miss/Hazard/Injury Register Form when appropriate 6. Other Be available to undertake higher duties and/or secondment within MacKillop Family Services. Maintain records of expenditure and provide statements and receipts to the Therapeutic Residential House Supervisor. Be prepared to undertake rostered duties including sleepovers and active night shifts. Assist in maintaining the grounds in a state of good repair and presentation. Ensure the general maintenance of vehicles is of a safe standard, vehicles are clean and have at least a half a tank of petrol at all times. Report immediately any damage to the vehicles. Be prepared to work in other program locations as required. Undertake other duties as required. KEY SELECTION CRITERIA The successful applicant will meet the following selection criteria A genuine interest in young people and their wellbeing. Demonstrated experience and knowledge of the residential care field, particularly within a therapeutic environment. The ability to engage with warmth and assertiveness with young people.
A demonstrated ability to remain calm in a crisis. Good organisational skills and the confidence to manage the busy schedule of a home, including cooking nutritional meals, cleaning and providing a warm home like environment. A commitment to following organisational policies and procedures that ensure resident and staff safety, including behaviour management, identifying risk factors and crisis intervention strategies. The ability to assist young people to attend school, with homework, and providing them with support so they are able to engage in community and recreational activities. A commitment to participate in training related to therapeutic care. The ability to work effectively as part of a team. Obtain a current Working with Children Check. Possess and maintain a current valid Victorian Drivers Licence and be able to drive MacKillop vehicles in the conduct of the position requirements, including the transportation of clients. Support for the purpose and ethos of MacKillop. OTHER JOB RELATED INFORMATION The incumbent is required to: Observe and actively support MacKillop s OH&S policies and strategies. Attend mandatory and other training as required. The position may require some intrastate travel. The incumbent must possess a: valid and current Victorian Driver s Licence; satisfactory criminal history check; and current Working with Children Check. APPROVAL Approved by: Michael O Kelly Date: September 2015 Position Title: General Manager Out of Home Care Operations - Vic Incumbent s Name: Signature: Date: