Position Description Job Title: Department: Reporting to: Direct Reports: Location: Youth Residential Worker Programs & Humanitarian Response Unaccompanied Minor Manager/S Nil Nauru Regional Processing Centre (NRPC) Save the Children Australia Our Vision: Our vision is a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation. Our Purpose is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives. Save the Children s Role In Regional Processing Centres Save the Children will provide education, recreation and child protection services to children sent to Nauru by the Australian Government. Our experience shows that sending children to offshore or onshore immigration processing centres threatens their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. But given that the Australian Government is sending children to Nauru and given our mandate to the world s most vulnerable children, we will work to ensure the best possible conditions and services for children on Nauru. Youth Residential Worker_NauruRPC_PositionDescription 1
Role Purpose The role of the Youth Residential Worker is to effectively fulfill the responsibilities of a parent for unaccompanied minors (UAM) who are particularly vulnerable and may have experienced considerable trauma. The Youth Residential Worker will play a vital role in building the UAM s trust, resilience and coping mechanisms. Whilst supporting their emotional needs, this role will also ensure UAMs maximise their long-term prospects by attending school, participate in out-of-hours recreational activities and receive the appropriate support while in the Australian Government s NRPC by working with other Save the Children staff and through referrals and collaboration with specialist service providers in the NRPC. Key Areas of Accountability Work in collaboration with the Child Support Worker, Educators and Child/Youth Recreation Officers to maximise support to UAMs and assist them to meet their additional needs. Liaise with UAM Support Workers to support the case management process of UAMs. Provide care, supervision and personal support to clients relevant to their individual needs, abilities and circumstances with particular regard to those individuals who are assessed as high risk or exhibiting complex behavioural patterns Adhere to Save the Children Policies & Procedures including Health and Safety and Child Protection. Provide assistance for the child/young person in their physical, intellectual, emotional and social development by delivering structured services, informal interactions and the modeling of appropriate behaviour. Provide support and referrals and facilitate access to other specialist support services, as required, to support them and their wellbeing. Liaise with the Project Support Officer to enter all case notes in SAMIS on a daily basis. Assess and report any child protection risks and concerns to the CPSM and Senior Youth Residential Worker Active involvement in psychosocial assessment, planning, goal setting and review with each individual in collaboration with the child support worker/youth Recreation Workers. Youth Residential Worker_NauruRPC_PositionDescription 2
Equal Opportunity, Health, Safety, Security and Risk Management Requirements Ensure compliance of Equal Opportunity at all times and deliver services without any form of discrimination and with cultural and gender sensitivity. Act in a safe manner at all times, including complying with all safety instructions and training given at the workplace. Participate in and contribute to Health and Safety awareness and improvements. Comply with emergency evacuation procedures. Report all incidents/injuries and potential hazards in a timely manner. Act in a safe manner at all times, including complying with all safety instructions and training given at the workplace. Participate in and contribute to Health and Safety awareness and improvements for UAM Youth Recreation Team staff and all Save the Children Staff. Comply with emergency evacuation procedures. Report all incidents/injuries and potential hazards in a timely manner. Be aware of, and consider, the risks associated with your everyday work and apply appropriate mitigation measures. Person Specification Skills/Abilities Demonstrated understanding of and ability to practice: strength-based approach when working with asylum seekers and unaccompanied minors; behaviour management techniques; and thorough knowledge of child development principles. Ability to manage a number of key relationships and to work in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. Understanding of complex family and cultural practices and be sensitive, mindful and respectful of these. Highly developed written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrated experience and commitment to the development and delivery of services relevant to the needs of children and adolescents placed in residential care. Excellent time management, organisational and leadership skills. High level of integrity and confidentiality. Resilient with the ability to live and work in a challenging and complex environment. Support the delivery of resilience and life skills training to children and young people. Establish effective working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders the NRPC including but not limited to; security, welfare and health providers. Skills and experience in community engagement with diverse cultural groups, preferably in an international context. Youth Residential Worker_NauruRPC_PositionDescription 3
Knowledge/Experience: Demonstrated understanding of and ability to practice: strength based approach when working with children and youth, effective behaviour management techniques; and thorough knowledge of child and youth development principles. Demonstrated knowledge of effective role modelling and behaviour management strategies. A sound understanding in the areas of child and adolescent development and child protection issues. Skills and experience in engaging with people who have suffered torture and trauma. Knowledge and understanding of the stresses on vulnerable children and youth who are isolated from the family unit. Knowledge and understanding of the range of risk and protective factors which impact on outcomes for children and youth. Demonstrated experience and knowledge of child protection issues including impact of abuse and neglect upon the outcomes for children and young people. Knowledge and understanding of the asylum seeker/refugee experience and how it manifests in children and youth including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. Experience of providing a range of support services to children and youth and ability to provide structure and routine. Highly developed skills in cross-cultural communication and sensitivity to cultural issues. Experience in maintaining appropriate documentation, including statistics and client case notes and files in accordance with Save the Children Australia s procedures. Comply with, and be accountable for professional, ethical and clinical standards of practice, adhering to safe work practices and NRPC policy and procedures. Qualifications/Accreditations: Minimum Diploma in Youth Work essential along with relevant experience to undertake the range of activities required. Youth Residential Worker_NauruRPC_PositionDescription 4
Personal Behaviours & Attributes Resilient with the ability to live and work in a challenging and complex environment. The ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, in order to enhance understanding and cooperation to achieve desired results. Confidence in relationship building and well-developed interpersonal skills. The ability to work both autonomously and as a member of a multi-disciplinary team. Initiative, self-motivation and flexibility. Sound time management and organisational skills. Achieves maximum results with minimal resources and with sound judgement. High-levels of confidentiality and integrity, (relating to both data and verbal communication). Well-developed understanding of the immigration determination process and the issues facing children and youth isolated from the family unit. Commitment to Save the Children s purpose and values. Willingness to work a rotational roster. Additional Information Any offer of employment at Save the Children Australia will be subject to a satisfactory National Police Record Check and Working with Children Check. Employees must sign onto Save the Children Australia s Child Protection Policy and Code of Conduct. Ongoing performance & employment will be measured against KPI s, values and demonstrated behaviours outlined above. Save the Children Australia is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Completing a pre-employment medical assessment is a compulsory part of your application process as it ensures that you have the appropriate level of health and fitness to meet the inherent requirements of the role. Applicants must have permanent Australian Residency to apply for this position. Youth Residential Worker_NauruRPC_PositionDescription 5