POSITION DESCRIPTION / EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT Family Support Worker position Position Summary Location: Team: Reports to: Direct reports: Hours per fortnight: Tenure: Remuneration: Other benefits: Castlemaine District Community Health, 13 Mostyn Street Castlemaine Mount Alexander Family Services Team Team Leader Support Services MWB & MAFS Peter Hunt 30.4 hours 12 month locum Date prepared: 5 th September 2017 Last updated: Community Health Centre (Stand Alone Services) Social & Community Service Employees Multi Enterprise Agreement 2013-2015 Social Worker Class 2 Year 3 SACS Level 5, pay point 3 Salary packaging is available to this position. 1. Our Organisation Castlemaine District Community Health (CDCH) is a community based, public benevolent organisation that has been working with the local community since 1984. With more than 40 employees and 70 volunteers, CDCH provides a wide range of services and programs aimed at promoting health and preventing illness. Our objective is to design and provide services and programs that ensure community members receive primary health, preventative care and community support which is accessible, responsive and of the highest quality. We work to empower individuals and community groups to achieve self-direction in their personal and community health. Employees of CDCH are committed to the social model of health; recognising the impact of external factors such as economic, social, cultural and political conditions on people s health and wellbeing. The organisation has a strong commitment to staff wellbeing and strives to model a healthy and productive work environment. Quality Improvement, Occupational Health & Safety, Risk Management and Clinical Governance frameworks are operational and the organisation supports the professional growth and accountability of all staff through organisational supervision and a multidisciplinary team approach. Last reviewed: 5 September 2017 Last author: Alison Maclaren Details correct at time of printing
CDCH has a Board of Directors made up of nine members of the Mount Alexander Shire Community. The Board has developed long-term strategic directions which provide the framework for planning and organisational development. The majority of programs are funded by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services. 2. The Position The Family Worker Position/s will provide a mainly in home support response to families who selfrefer, or are referred by ChildFirst. The family worker will often work with the Community Based Child Protection Worker. The Family Worker will work with a range of agencies within the Mount Alexander Shire. The Family Workers will be integrated within the Mental Wellbeing Team at Castlemaine District Community Health (CDCH) for support and whole service planning. Workers will provide a range of complimentary intervention modes such as advocacy, practical and material aid support, within short, medium and long term support arrangements. Intake, case management, assessment and preparation of a range of care plans and reports will be required. Skills and experience in family work, case work and strength based and solution focused practice incorporating community connection and social inclusion for families are key to this position. Understanding of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 with particular emphasis on safety, stability and development of children is an advantage. The position will work within a Social Model of Health. Work Plan supervision, external clinical casework and group work supervision are provided as part of internal professional development. Tenure and Hours of work The successful applicant will be offered a 0.8 EFT 12 month locum position. The position will commence in October 2017 on dates to be negotiated. The hours of work for this position will be 9am 5.06pm.There will be a probationary period of six months. The 12 month locum position is dependent on continued program funding. Remuneration The position will be remunerated under the Community Health Centre (Stand Alone Services) Social & Community Service Employees Multi Enterprise Agreement 2013-2015 Social Worker Class 2 Year 3 SACS Level 5, pay point 3 - currently $35.98 per hour. From time to time you may be offered and accept to work in excess of your normal hours of work. Hours worked up to and including 76 hours a fortnight from Monday to Friday will be paid at your normal hourly rate as above. Agreement may be negotiated where hours in excess may be taken as time in lieu of payment. Termination of Employment Notice of termination by either party is required as per statutory requirements. It is a condition of employment that staff and management will participate in CDCH Performance Management and/or Grievance policy and procedures if required. Page 2 of 6
Salary Packaging Salary packaging is available as in accordance with the CDCH Human Resources Management Policy: Salary Packaging Procedure 10.9.1. The right to Salary Packaging may be withdrawn at any time as per the procedure. 3. Key responsibilities & duties Administration Represent Castlemaine District Community Health as required in relevant meetings, functions and activities. Participate in staff meetings, team meetings, supervision, planning days and the annual staff review process. Maintain systems for the collection of statistics and reports in accordance with funding body requirements Position Specific Mount Alexander Family Services (MAFS) was established in October 2007 and is a respected family service within the North Central Victorian Family Services Alliance. At CDCH, MAFS is integrated within the Mental Wellbeing Team focusing on referrals from ChildFirst and selfreferrals providing in home support for vulnerable families. Integrated Family Services activities aim to: Divert a significant proportion of families currently notified to Child Protection to communitybased services. Minimise client re-notifications and the progression of families into the Child Protection system Provide an enhanced Family Support capacity for vulnerable families, including those who may not come into contact with Child Protection Services Strength Based and empowerment models of working with clients are currently incorporated within the practice of Mental Wellbeing Team. The fundamental principle that the safety of the child is integral in the intervention with vulnerable families is well established. The mandate of Community Health is to engage marginalised and disadvantaged communities, families and individuals with the aim of achieving equity of health status across the broader community. CDCH has been very successful in its work of community development, community building, health promotion and direct service delivery in the Mount Alexander Shire over a number of years. The in home assertive outreach model of the Mount Alexander Family Service is an extension of the core business undertaken by the organisation 4. Key selection criteria (Each selection criteria must be addressed with your Application) a. Demonstrated skills and experience in family work, children and adolescent work, case work, group work and intake and assessment. b. Ability to work from a strengths-based and solution-focused framework. Page 3 of 6
c. Demonstrated understanding of the Social Model of Health. d. Demonstrated awareness of Confidentiality and Privacy issues. An understanding of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 and Information Sharing regulations under the Act. e. Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills with a collaborative and cooperative approach to relationship building with partners and agencies. Demonstrated skills in case plans and report writing. f. Excellent knowledge of community based partnerships and Government networks. g. Experienced in the use of Microsoft Office and its applications. 5. Qualifications & other requirements 6. Scope of Practice Tertiary Qualifications in Social Work, Welfare, Child & Family Welfare or related disciplines. A commitment to National Professional Accreditation, if required A National Police Check A current Victorian Driver s License A current Working with Children check To provide support services and programs to families who self-refer and are referred by Child FIRST within the Mount Alexander Shire. To strengthen children and families capacity to participate fully in positive activities from early childhood through to adulthood. To plan, implement and evaluate with families their goals for increased safety and wellbeing of their children. This work with families will be in line with Department of Human Services integrated practice frameworks 7. Organisational Responsibility a. Organisational requirements for all staff All staff are required to abide by the CDCH Staff Code of Conduct All Staff are required to comply with the legal requirements associated with general employment and those specific to their qualifications and area of work It is a requirement of this appointment that a Castlemaine District Community Health Preexisting Injury Declaration is made. All Board members, Staff, Volunteers and Students are required to sign a Confidentiality Agreement. Castlemaine District Community Health is committed to fostering a culture of Continuous Quality Improvement. All Staff members have a role and responsibility in identifying opportunity for improvements and implementing strategies to do so. Staff members are also expected to contribute to the formal review process enabling CDCH to receive accreditation against the Quality Improvement Council (QIC) Standards and the Department of Health & Human Services Standards. Page 4 of 6
Child abuse is unacceptable and ensuring children s safety is a top priority. Castlemaine District Community Health has a child safety procedure and a staff code of conduct that outlines its commitment to children s safety and wellbeing and the expected standards of behaviour for all CDCH staff. Castlemaine District Community Health is committed to providing a quality clinical learning and further education environment. All staff members have a role and responsibility to contribute to the planning and delivery of clinical learning and further education placements at CDCH. CDCH operates all Programs and Services from the Social Model of Health and incorporates in the planning and delivery of Programs and Services an understanding of the Social Determinants of Health. CDCH staff engage and partner with clients and communities to achieve optimal health outcomes. Castlemaine District Community Health is part of a network of agencies that receive funding through the Department of Health & Human Services with a mandate to respond to requests for support in the event of an Emergency or Disaster situation. All employees of the CDCH may be contacted out of hours and during periods of Leave by the CEO or her representative to ascertain the workers availability to contribute additional working hours towards the emergency response effort. b. Organisational responsibility to all staff In recognition of employee s contribution, Castlemaine District Community Health pay Superannuation Guarantee on gross wages including any amounts salary sacrificed. This is an above award condition. Castlemaine District Community Health adheres to Government regulations by providing a smoke free workplace and complies with the Occupational Health & Safety Act 2004. Castlemaine District Community Health is pleased to comply with Legislative requirements as an Equal Opportunity Employer. Castlemaine District Community Health fosters an organisational culture which values the physical, mental and spiritual health of its staff. The organisation is committed to implementing initiatives and practices that encourage informal activities and attitudes which support staff and contribute to their overall wellbeing. Acceptance of the Position I understand, agree to and accept the role as outlined in accordance with this position description: NAME (please print): SIGNATURE: CEO Signed on behalf of Castlemaine District Community Health: DATE: NAME (please print): TITLE: SIGNATURE: DATE: Page 5 of 6
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