POSITION DESCRIPTION Cradle to Kinder Coordinator Base/Location: Bendigo and District Aboriginal Cooperative (This is a joint position employed by Njernda Aboriginal Corporation and located at Bendigo and District Aboriginal Corporation.) Reports To: Hours: Position Purpose: Position Scope: The position reports to the Manager Early Years Manager at Njernda Aboriginal Corporation and the General Manager Family and Community Services at Bendigo and District Aboriginal Cooperative (BDAC). 30 hours per week (12 Months Fixed Term) The position is situated within the Cradle to Kinder program which is responsible for providing intensive ante and postnatal support service and longer term intensive family and early parenting support for vulnerable young mothers and their children. The program is a whole-offamily service in the form of pre-birth support, intensive interventions and case work support until the child reaches school age. The Cradle to Kinder Coordinator is part of a multidisciplinary team of highly qualified and experienced staff from a range of professional backgrounds. The Cradle to Kinder Coordinator will act as the key point of contact for the family, care team and related service network for each allocated case. In addition, the incumbent will play a lead role in the initial engagement, assessment and planning processes for each family. The Cradle to Kinder Coordinator will be required to provide holistic, culturally safe, trauma-informed and strengths-based casework support for Aboriginal families with complex needs who are referred to the program, including case planning, service coordination and direct services. This position will work jointly with the therapeutic specialist in delivering therapeutic service responses. Njernda Aboriginal Corporation Updated: Apr 2017 Page 1
Organisational Values: Professional Integrity We treat all our people with dignity and respect Quality We always strive to do our best and improve the way we do things. Responsibility We commit to the actions we take to achieve the best possible outcome for our clients. Client Focus We work toward improving the health and wellbeing of our clients and community. Njernda Aboriginal Corporation Updated: Apr 2017 Page 2
Key Responsibilities: a. Casework Convene and lead a care team for each family, including planning and leading family and care team meetings. Undertake assertive outreach and employ active engagement strategies to support young parents to sustain their participation with the program over the four year service period. Undertake comprehensive risk and needs assessments of all family members, including infants, children and young parents, using the Best Interests Case Practice framework and other relevant assessment tools, as prescribed by the program. Coordinate the implementation of agreed actions and monitor progress against the plan. Provide individual support and guidance to young pregnant women and young mothers experiencing difficulties in relation to parenting and providing for the health safety and well-being of their babies and children. Ensure the rights of the young women and their babies are protected at all times. Actively support young parents to connect (or reconnect) with family, Community, land and culture. Provide intensive support to families at important developmental milestones and life transitions and during periods of crisis. Teach and guide young parents to build skills and confidence in antenatal care, child development, parenting, routines, boundary setting, attachment, relationships, home safety, financial literacy, household management, problem solving and independent living. Support therapeutic intervention to young parents for their healing from possible traumatic experiences which may be impacting on their parenting. Use a range of methods such as coaching, role modelling, mentoring, observation, feedback and self-reflection techniques in building confidence of the young parents to access a range of services and support their development towards independence. Make appropriate referrals and facilitate the family s access to, and engagement with, relevant universal, targeted and specialist services. Plan and directly deliver services to all family members (including fathers), as identified in the child and family action plan, including in-home and community based activities, individual and group activities as well as social and cultural activities. Develop and participate in Intake processes for BDAC, Bendigo Health and Maternal Child Health Nursing services. Where required, consult with child protection and report any concerns that may place the young parent or (unborn) child at unacceptable risk. b. Partnerships and collaboration Actively participate as part of a multi-disciplinary team sharing individual skills and knowledge to meet the various complex needs of the families in order to achieve their goals. Establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with infants, children, parents (including fathers), extended family and the community. Build strong relationships with universal, secondary and tertiary child and family services, including local, state and federal government departments, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, community health services and community service organisations. Work in close collaboration with child protection, placement services, Child FIRST and program partners, Mc Killop Family Services, Melbourne Citymission and Queen Elizabeth Centre. Support Cradle to Kinder programs in other locations in their capacity to deliver culturally competent services to Aboriginal families. Njernda Aboriginal Corporation Updated: Apr 2017 Page 3
c. Professional development Participate in orientation and induction, formal supervision, reflective practice, annual performance appraisals and professional development activities, in accordance with Njernda Aboriginal Corporation s supervision framework and related policies. Participate in external clinical supervision, as required. Maintain a good working knowledge of resources and services available to vulnerable children and their families. d. Quality assurance Provide services in accordance with the departmental standards, program requirements for family and early parenting services in Victoria, Aboriginal Cradle to Kinder practice guide and program framework. Actively encourage feedback from children and their families. Participate in model development, review and service improvement activities for the Aboriginal Cradle to Kinder program. Manage client information, data, expenditure, incident reports, client records and files, in accordance with legislation and policies of Njernda Aboriginal Corporation. e. General Participate in organisational and team meetings. Adhere to Njernda Aboriginal Corporation s Code of Conduct, Occupational Health and Safety and all relevant policies. Fulfil other duties, as required, commensurate with the capacity, qualifications and experience associated with the position and classification level. Key selection criteria: a. Skills, knowledge and attributes The successful applicant will possess: A sound understanding of Aboriginal culture, values, protocols, inter-generational factors and complex kinship systems, as well as the issues facing vulnerable Aboriginal families that may impact on their capacity to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their children, and a demonstrated capacity to work in a culturally competent, sensitive and respectful manner. A clear understanding of child and adolescent development, trauma, attachment, child abuse and neglect, with good knowledge of the services and interventions that: promote child health, safety and wellbeing strengthen parenting capacity improve family functioning address underlying risk factors for vulnerable families. A proven ability to work successfully with Aboriginal children, young people and their families with a range of complex and diverse needs. An excellent understanding of the principles of casework practice, with a demonstrated capacity to: actively engage with families that may be unwilling to receive services build confidence, motivate and sustain change and influence positive outcomes undertake quality assessments and coordinate planning processes work effectively and flexibly as a member of a team proactively set priorities and manage timelines undertake quality case recording, data reporting and file management. Njernda Aboriginal Corporation Updated: Apr 2017 Page 4
High level interpersonal and communication skills, including a demonstrated ability to: provide information and feedback to Aboriginal children and families in ways that are constructive, respectful of Aboriginal styles of learning and sensitive to the needs of individuals with learning difficulties effectively advocate on behalf of families a demonstrated commitment to establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with families, colleagues, government departments, sector partners and the Aboriginal Community. b. Qualifications and experience The successful applicant will have experience working in the community including youth work, community health, early childhood or family services. Experience working with adolescent parents (including fathers), young people in out-ofhome care and/or young people with a learning difficulty or disability will be highly regarded. Experience in using the Family Outcomes Star and/or NCAST Parent-Child Interaction Teaching Scale will be equally well regarded. In addition it is expected that the incumbent will Seek opportunities for personal and professional development which will add to the overall capabilities of Early Years services at Bendigo and District Aboriginal Cooperative and Njernda Aboriginal Corporation. Undertake travel as required. Other relevant information: Conditions of employment This is an ongoing position comprising 30 hours per week spread over five days. In order to perform the duties of this position effectively you may be required to work additional hours or vary your working times, on any day of the week, as appropriate and necessary from time to time. There is no paid over time, however, time in lieu arrangements will be negotiated as required. The position is based in the Bendigo and District Aboriginal Cooperative Family Services building at 119 Prouses Road Bendigo, subject to change, based on strategic and operational needs of the organisation and program. Terms and conditions of employment will be included in an Employment Contract. The successful applicant will be required to undergo satisfactory pre-employment checks, including providing at least three (3) professional referees, completion of a medical declaration, Police Records Check, Working With Children Check, Victorian Driver s Licence, and proof of identify and qualifications. The successful applicant must have and continue to hold a full Victorian Driver s Licence. The successful applicant will be required to disclosure any pre-existing injury/injuries and/or medical condition/s, which could be aggravated by the type of employment they are applying for. The existence of an injury/injuries and/or medical condition/s will not preclude the applicant from employment, unless they are unable to perform the inherent requirements of the position. However, failure to disclose any relevant information may affect a claim for Worker s Compensation. Njernda Aboriginal Corporation has a smoke-free workplace policy. Njernda Aboriginal Corporation Updated: Apr 2017 Page 5
Written applications should include a covering letter. Please include the names and telephone contacts of at least two referees and forward to: All applicants must address the Key Selection Criteria and include a recent resume Address your application marked: Private & Confidential Please check the closing date to ensure your application is received within the specified time. Applications may be posted, emailed, hand delivered or faxed (provided that a hard copy is posted on the same day). To: Janelle Handy Njernda Aboriginal Corporation 86 Hare Street, Echuca Vic 3564 (PO Box 201) Echuca Vic 3564 Email handyj@njernda.com.au Fax: (03) 5480 2250 All applications close: Wednesday 28 th June 2017 Njernda Aboriginal Corporation Updated: Apr 2017 Page 6