Information Pack Youth Hope Case Worker (Family Support) Dear Applicant, Tamworth Family Support Service is looking for a permanent full-time case worker to be part of the Youth Hope team in Tamworth. Successful applicants will be able to work independently, and relate to families and young people with complex needs. All staff are valued and respected, and are presented with genuine opportunities to develop to their full potential. TFSS also recognises the importance of a healthy work/life balance, and you will enjoy some flexibility in your working hours if required. Included in the package you will find a: The Job/Position Description Selection Criteria Please return your application(s) to: General Manager Tamworth Family Support Service PO Box 1088 TAMWORTH NSW 2340 Or by email to: info@tfss.com.au Please ensure that you include the following in your application(s): Your up to date resume, including three recent referees A document titled Selection Criteria outlining how you meet each of the selection criteria for this position. Selection for interview will be based on: 1. Applicants returning both of the above documents, and, 2. Applicants satisfactorily meeting each of the essential criteria. CONTACT PERSON: Sue Snook, Family Services Manager Tel: 6763 2380 CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 4pm Friday 5 th December, 2014. Page 1 of 8
Position Description Position Title: Position Status: Responsible to: Program: Sub-Programs: Location: Relevant Awards: Case Worker - Youth Hope Fixed Term to 30 th June 2017 subject to execution of funding agreement Full Time 38 hours per week Youth Hope Team Leader and Family Services Manager Early Intervention Placement Prevention Youth Hope Program Tamworth Social, Community, Home Care & Disability Services Industry Award Award Classification: From: Community Service Worker (CSW) Level 4, Paypoint 1, To: Community Service Worker (CSW) Level 5, Paypoint 1. Remuneration: As per award ranging from $28.52 per hour to $31.92 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience. 9½% Superannuation Guarantee Plus optional salary sacrificing benefits Requirements: Minimum Diploma Community Services (Case Management), or Diploma in Youth Work, or substantial relevant work experience in case management or youth work roles. Current driver s licence Satisfactory Working with Children Check Satisfactory completion of a 6 month Probationary Period Objectives: In the New England North West region in the last year, 1,200 young people between the ages of 9 and 15 were identified as being at risk of significant harm. At risk young people could be suffering from physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse or psychological harm. The aim of the Youth Hope program is to develop and implement innovative approaches that will provide an effective response to 9-15 year old young people reported to Community Services who are assessed as vulnerable to, or at risk of, significant harm. Page 2 of 8
Youth Hope is intended to result in young people at risk of significant harm being able to stay safely at home and not entering the out-of-home-care system. Success will be evaluated and measured by a reduction in rereporting to Community Services and reduced entry of participating young people into the out-of-home-care system. Target Groups: 1. Risk of Significant Harm (ROSH) Clients (90%) Children/young people aged 9-15 years who are reported to Community Services as at ROSH but who are not prioritised to receive a Community Services statutory response (this will be at least 90% of the client cohort); 2. Non-ROSH Clients (10%) 2.1 Children and young people aged 9-15 years who are not currently subject of a ROSH report but are at high risk of escalation into the child protection system; and, 2.2 Families of the children and young people aged 9-15 years outlined above, including siblings aged under 16 years. The Program: Under the Youth Hope case work model, at-risk children, young people and their families will be provided with a package of supports, including intensive and tailored support, and brokerage to purchase practical assistance and supportive counselling/skills training. The programs work with the parents and carers of young persons to strengthen their parenting and coping abilities. This role requires a solid understanding of and ability to work with the issues that confront Aboriginal families when working with mainstream organisations. Liaises with: Youth Hope Team Leader, Family Services Manager, Community Services Case Workers, Client Children/Young Person(s) and their Families, workers from other agencies providing service to the families. An inter-agency case management approach is to be adopted. Page 3 of 8
Duties/Responsibilities: Developing additional parenting, communication and support skills for parents, young persons and care-givers, Increasing the family s knowledge of young people s development and health care issues, Supporting parents, young persons and care-givers with strategies on how to be fair and consistent in their relationships with their children and young persons, Promoting non-violent, protective and nurturing environments for families with children and young persons in their care, Creating awareness about providing a safe environment for young persons, whilst encouraging active participation and safe boundaries and limits, Linking families with other service agencies and community support services, Exploring the social needs of the family, focussing on the parent s, young person s and caregiver s self-confidence, resourcefulness and strengths, Providing positive and appropriate role modelling, and assisting and supporting parents, young persons and care-givers in achieving their family s goals, Examining and challenging barriers that may be inhibiting parents, young persons and caregivers from achieving their goals, Supporting parents, young persons and care-givers in meeting their requirements as instructed under the Case Plans / Care Plans, Offering flexible services to meet clients and Community Service s needs, Supporting the parents, young persons and care-givers individually or in the family context as necessary, through appropriate group work and the provision of accurate and timely information, Liaising with other service providers to ensure parents, young persons and care-givers or their families have their needs met on an holistic basis, When appropriate, transport young people to school, appointments and recreational activities. Key Roles of the Youth Hope Case Worker: To assist the Team Leader and Manager to implement the program and necessary changes and to act to ensure consistently high quality service delivery. Makes persistent efforts (multiple phone calls, visits the family home etc) to contact the client on the day of referral, or at the latest, within 24 hours of referral. If the client is unable to meet within 24 hours of referral the caseworker must make persistent efforts to make contact with the client no later than the end of the day following the referral Ensures that the strengths and needs of the child or young person and their family are assessed Maintains contact with the child/ young person and their family for the duration of their involvement with the service Ensures the child or young person has an individual and comprehensive case plan based on their identified strengths and needs that sets out clear goals in all case planning areas, a description of key tasks to be undertaken, and allocation of responsibilities and timeframes Sets specific goals with family members that are related to reducing the risk of placement, and that can be addressed within the service timeframe Page 4 of 8
Works collaboratively with the child or young person s family and appropriate cultural and community representatives to ensure that all relevant parties are involved in case planning, review processes and family conferencing as required Coordinates the range of services identified in the case plan so that they are provided in a timely and effective way Consults with the program manager if case plan goals are not being achieved within set timeframes or if there is any other concern about the child/young person and/or his or her family Maintains comprehensive records from the moment of referral, documenting contact with the family, reasons for key decisions and important events and achievements during the program are also recorded Undertakes comprehensive transition planning to assist the family to maintain their improvements with less intensive support. Team Participation & Work Management Contribute to the ongoing development of a dynamic, creative and cohesive team. This team consists of people from diverse backgrounds and skills and will include Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal personnel. Contribute to the development of solid, equitable and honest relationships that support a strong team approach. Ensure that our organisational philosophy, values and model are implemented. Use supervision, professional development and performance accountability processes to enhance outcomes for families. Relationships Support other Case Workers, Team Leader and the Manager in developing strong collaborative partnerships and clear protocols with agencies. Attend relevant interagency meetings regularly, as directed by the Team Leader or Manager. Establish therapeutic relationships with client families that value the expertise and experience of the family. Promote working relationships that are based on equality. Undertake regular consultation with staff working in related areas (both within and outside) the service to ensure effective community networks and linkages. Program Outcomes Contribute to the development of appropriate planning, evaluation and accountability processes for the program. Collect program data and contribute to using the data to improve the service to families and to develop more efficient and effective practices. Ensure all data entry meets timetables and quality standards. Make appropriate referrals and participate in relevant case meetings. Ensure that services are accessible and appropriate to families experiencing disadvantage. Page 5 of 8
Case Work Work within an integrated case management framework and have a genuine commitment to young people. Advocacy and support to address legal, financial, counseling, group work, tenancy, emergency relief and other support needs. Documentation of client case plans and keep appropriate, sensitive and accurate client case notes. Group Work Plan and facilitate group sessions. Develop and implement programs which teach young people and families practical living skills. Other Duties and Responsibilities: Administration To accurately and objectively report feedback. To ensure completion of timesheets and have them sent through to the Finance officer weekly. To ensure all appropriate receipts and travel claims are sent through with timesheets. Contribute to the promotion of the role of the service through development of promotional material and networking. Work as an active team member, assisting in other appropriate tasks as required, or as directed from time to time by the Manager Present a positive image of the organisation and this program to clients and to the broader community. Bring to the Manager any problems or issues that are/may affect the operation of the service. Ensure the effective maintenance and repair of all property, vehicles and equipment to appropriate standards. Supervision & Training To participate in supervision as required. To attend relevant training and professional development as required. To attend team meetings or casework supervision meetings as required. Identify and discuss training needs with the Manager and have training approved. Provide in-house training to other Tamworth Family Support Service staff at the completion of training attended outside the service. Actively participate in work related conferences, meetings and training courses as directed. Actively participate in a service evaluation and staff appraisals, review of job descriptions. Identify training needs and goals for the next year. Work Within an WHS, Legal & Ethical Framework To comply with Tamworth Family Support Service Policies and Procedures. Page 6 of 8
To comply with the organisation s Code of Conduct. To comply with management s legal and health and safety directions. To maintain and ensure privacy and confidentiality. Recognise and monitor secondary traumatic stress and take active responsibility for your own well being in the workplace. Work Health and Safety To participate in WHS consultation and training as required. To actively promote and participate in development of safer work practices in the workplace. To use equipment and resources safely and in a responsible manner. To not wilfully or recklessly interfere with safety equipment. To report to supervisor/manager any perceived risk or hazard to health or safety. To report any workplace related illness or injury to supervisor/manager. To ensure that children are not exposed to unnecessary risks during visits. To report all safety hazards as required. Child Protection To report to Helpline all cases of suspected risk of harm to children &/or young people. To assist in the reporting and investigation as prescribed by the NSW Ombudsman. Conditions of Employment All TFSS workers are bound by the terms and conditions contained in the TFSS Letter of Offer, the Position Description, the relevant Industrial Award/s, TFSS Policies, Procedures and the TFSS Code of Conduct, as amended and as endorsed by the TFSS Management Committee from time to time. It should be noted that workers may need to perform other duties within their competence and knowledge as directed by their direct Manager or the General Manager from time to time to meet TFSS operational needs. TFSS reserves the right to vary the above Position Description at any time in response to the changing needs of the organisation. Page 7 of 8
SELECTION CRITERIA Essential Criteria: 1. Possession of, or progress towards, a minimum diploma level qualification or equivalent experience in case management work or youth work with families in a community services environment. 2. Demonstrated experience in working with families with multiple, complex needs and that may be experiencing acute crisis, including an understanding of and ability to cope with challenging behaviours, through the use of conflict management and negotiation skills. 3. Demonstrated experience in engaging with reluctant and/or tentative young people and their families. 4. Demonstrated experience in developing case plans to meet the specific needs of individual young people. 5. Demonstrated experience of in-home visiting of client families and understanding of the issues surrounding safe home visiting, including a demonstrated ability to think and act clearly in an unsafe situation. 6. Demonstration of high level written skills including the ability to observe, process and report in writing on individual and relationship behaviour in a complete, accurate and timely manner. 7. Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of families, including working on an outreach basis. 8. Demonstrated understanding of cross-cultural competence, including the ability to work with minority groups such as Aboriginals and those from a non-english speaking background. Page 8 of 8