POSITION DESCRIPTION Position: Program: Team Leader Cradle to Kinder Classification: SCHADS Award Level 7 (Social Worker Class 4) Hours: Duration: Location: Accountability: 38 hours per week (Full Time) Ongoing Primarily based in Morwell with travel across Gippsland as required This position is directly accountable to the Family Support Manager. Date: August 2016 INTRODUCTION At Anglicare Victoria our focus is on transforming the futures of children and young people, families and adults. Our work is based on three guiding pillars, Prevent, Protect, Empower. We offer a comprehensive network of services and seek to ensure the provision of high quality services that will bring about significant improvements in the life experience of the young people, children and families/caregivers with whom we work. Anglicare Victoria has an official Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) that bears the Reconciliation Action Trademark. The RAP requires that staff continue to develop their cultural competence so as to maximise opportunities and improved outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. OVERVIEW OF PROGRAM The Cradle to Kinder program in Latrobe and Baw Baw is delivered through a partnership of agencies comprising Anglicare Victoria, the Queen Elizabeth Centre (QEC) and Quantum Support Services. The three agencies have a long history in planning and development of services for at risk children, young people and families in the Gippsland Region and are all experienced in the implementation of services for vulnerable young mothers, fathers, their children and families. The Cradle to Kinder (CtK) program is a new intensive ante and post natal support service to provide longer term, intensive family and early parenting support for vulnerable young mothers and their children, commencing in pregnancy and continuing until the child reaches 4 years of age. The target group for the Cradle to Kinder service is young pregnant women (under 25 years) where a Report to Child Protection has been received for their unborn child, where the referrer has significant concerns about the wellbeing of the unborn child, or where there are a number of indicators of vulnerability/concerns about the wellbeing of the unborn child and the woman is not involved with the Child Protection system. HRF 03-01-083 Page 1 of 5
Within this defined target group, priority of access will be given to adolescent women, young women who are, or have been, in out-of-home-care, Aboriginal women and women who have a learning difficulty. Priority of access will also be given to young women and their families who have previously been receiving Cradle to Kinder services but who have moved to a new Cradle to Kinder catchment. Where demand for the service allows, pregnant women with an intellectual disability of all ages may also be given access to the program. The target group is not restricted to first time parents, as parenting issues may be experienced (and may in some instances escalate) with the addition of each new child. The program will work with siblings as well as the new baby. POSITION OBJECTIVES The Team Leader will be responsible for leading and supervising a team of Cradle to Kinder case workers and Family Services workers. As CtK is a new program, the Team Leader will be involved in the implementation of the program, program development, including strengthening and developing partnerships with key services to ensure the successful delivery of the Cradle to Kinder program. The Team Leader will be responsible for working with Child FIRST in developing a streamlined referral pathway into the program. Some joint case work will form a part of the role. The Team Leader will supervise and support the team in their work with young parents and young children in the context of the Best Interests Principles and in accordance to relevant policy and practice guidelines. The successful applicant will form part of Anglicare s leadership team within Gippsland and the Operations Group of the Child FIRST & IFS Latrobe / Baw Baw Partnership. Specifically the position will; 1. Lead and manage the CtK team in Latrobe / Baw Baw and to provide leadership to other Family Services staff and teams as required. 2. To work in conjunction with the Program Manager plan and implement the new service. 3. To assist in developing policies and procedures. 4. To ensure the ongoing support, performance management, learning and development of service staff; and 5. To provide effective administration and resource management for the program. 6. To work with the Child FIRST Team Leader to implement case allocation and case planning systems within the context of child centered family focused practice. 7. Ensure that appropriate needs and risk assessments are provided, as appropriate, to the families who are referred to Child FIRST, using the Best Interests framework 8. To participate in service development and redevelopment as required. 9. To provide reflective practice based supervision to program staff in accordance with AASW standards and Annual Performance Reviews. 10. To manage the day to day delivery of case work services including in home outreach support and group work services as well as identify service improvement initiatives. 11. To ensure specific service standards are met and to contribute to the establishment of performance targets and ensure monitoring systems are in place for accountability purposes. 12. To coordinate the CtK and lead team activities such as case discussion sessions and reflective practice sessions. 13. To coordinate the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the program. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Lead and supervise a team consisting of staff from Cradle to Kinder case workers and Integrated Family Services Cradle to Kinder case workers to deliver the service along with partner agencies. HRF 03-01-083 Page 2 of 5
2. Be involved in the development of the program, including intake, assessment and case work recording materials, policy and processes and evaluation of the program. 3. Participate in intake and assessment processes, including utilising assertive and active engagement strategies for young parents. 4. Orientate new staff, identify specific training areas and lead team building activities. 5. Be involved in the service promotion and community education. 6. Be involved in the development and maintenance of partnerships with key and partner agencies, Child Protection, out-of-home-care services, maternal and child health services, peri-natal services, education and training services. 7. Develop partnership and working relationships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to ensure that culturally sensitive interventions are delivered to Aboriginal families. 8. Promote a supportive working environment that encourages critical reflection, learning and development of staff that works to achieve creative and positive outcomes for children and families. 9. Provide case consultation to caseworkers in, risk assessment and risk management of cases, and initiate/participate in consultations with the Child Protection Team. 10. Ensure practitioners meet their case recording and case file requirements, including data recording that contribute to performance targets. 11. Ensure that Anglicare Victoria policies and frameworks are adhered to, along with broader policies and frameworks, such as the Best Interests Framework. 12. Provide information from management to the team on both practice and work place issues. 13. Be involved in professional development and review processes with staff. 14. Actively participate in professional development, professional practice forums and supervision with the Program Manager. 15. Be able to consider budgetary and financial implications in the functioning the program. 16. To offer both regular supervision and annual appraisals of Anglicare Victoria staff as well as providing Group Supervision and Reflective Practice to the CtK team within a strengths based framework. 17. To develop service and practice standards including administration of a brokerage fund, data systems and accountability mechanisms. This will also include feedback on the project from individual service recipient families 18. Other duties as required by the Program Manager Anglicare Victoria Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Anglicare Victoria is committed to ensuring the health and safety of its employees and any other individuals present in our workplaces. In achieving and maintaining workplace health and safety, Anglicare Victoria will apply best practice in OHS in accordance with statutory obligations at all times. All Anglicare Victoria employees and volunteers are required to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and for that of others in the workplace by working in accordance with legislative requirements and the company s OHS policies and procedures. KEY SELECTION CRITERIA Tertiary qualification in psychology, social work, early childhood development or maternal and child health. Excellent working knowledge of the child protection system including risk assessment and child safety frameworks, and knowledge of relevant legislation Sound understanding of the issues facing vulnerable young parents in their ability to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their children. Extensive experience in leadership and supervision of staff both at an individual level and team level. Highly developed skills and experience in the provision of case work and case management to vulnerable young parents and their children to assist promoting positive change. HRF 03-01-083 Page 3 of 5
Highly developed skills in active and assertive engagement for families who are unwilling to accept services, especially young people. Sound understanding of child development and the factors that can impede on a child s development. Sound understanding of Aboriginal culture and society and the issues relating to Aboriginal welfare and ability to effectively communicate with Aboriginal families and agencies. Experience in working with young people who have been in out-of-home-care, who have learning difficulties and/or are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Knowledge of, and experience in the application of relevant theoretical approaches and range of appropriate service responses to children, youth and families. Ability to accurately assess staff competencies, strengths and areas for development and implement this in supervision to promote ongoing professional learning and development. Ability to make decisions regarding case direction and risk management in consultation with young parents, families and multi-disciplinary teams. Ability to contribute to program development and evaluation. Highly developed skills and experience in partnership activities and relationships, especially with key stakeholders. Ability to ensure that program objectives, registration standards and target expectations are being met. Essential 1. A relevant tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Early Childhood Specialist and/or related behavioural sciences at degree level with relevant experience; or associate diploma level with substantial experience in the relevant service stream. OHS - Employees are be required to complete the OHS requirements of the organisation, which may include local level training relating to equipment usage, Hazardous Chemicals, PPE. Employees, contractors and volunteers: participate in relevant health and safety training based on roles and responsibilities (Contractors to provide evidence of prior relevant training) as required, participate in the development and implementation of specific OHS hazard and risk management strategies understand and comply with all OHS legislation and regulations relevant to their activities at the designated workplace take reasonable care their actions or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of themselves and others cooperate with any reasonable directions, policies and procedures relating to health and safety in the workplace report all injuries, illness or near misses to the Team Leader/Supervisor or Regional Manager TERMS AND CONDITIONS Salary and conditions are in accordance with the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010. Salary packaging is offered with this position. All offers of employment at Anglicare Victoria are subject to a six month probationary period. The staff member will be asked to participate in an annual performance review linked to objectives set out for the position. All offers of employment are subject to a satisfactory Criminal History Check and must provide a Working with Children Check prior to commencement. HRF 03-01-083 Page 4 of 5
A current Victorian Driver s licence is essential. Anglicare Victoria is a member of HESTA (Health Employees Superannuation Trust). At present, we contribute 9.5% of ordinary time earnings to this fund. Staff may elect to choose their own superannuation fund. TO APPLY: Please apply in writing addressing the key selection criteria and nominating three professional referees to Emma Dobson, Program Manager Family Support. Emma.Dobson@anglicarevic.org.au. For further enquiries contact Emma Dobson 51 33 9998. Applications close: 17 August 2016. HRF 03-01-083 Page 5 of 5