ROLE DESCRIPTION
1. ROLE DETAILSRole Title / Child and Youth Worker /
Classification Level
/OPS3
Role No / Discipline / OperationalDivision / Families SA / Date Created / December 2010
Branch/Unit
/ Date Approved / December 2010Reports To
/Senior Youth Worker
/ Reviewed Date / December 20112. ROLE CONTEXT
Role Summary / The Child and Youth Worker role is an operational role within Families SA and is accountable for:
· enhancing the social and living skills of infants, children and young people in care to facilitate their effective re-integration into the community and reconciliation with their families.
· assessing and responding to the individual needs of infants, children and young people in care (and of Aboriginal young people in particular) and increase the chances of successful intervention.
· assisting in supporting Child and Youth Support Workers in delivering quality outcomes for infants, children and young people in care.
· providing primary care for Residential Care residents including behavioural control, household duties and transportation of infants, children and young people to school, activities and appointments.
· working with the infants, children and young people and external professionals to contribute to the delivery of programs and services, which facilitate the caring and development of infants, children and young people.
· organising and participating in developmental recreational and educational programs and activities for the infants, children and young people in their care.
· maintaining an appropriate level of safety and supervision of infants, children and young people in the security of residential care facilities.
· assessing the individual needs of infants, children and young people upon admission to residential care facilities.
· safe food quality, storage and preparation.
Reporting/Working Relationships / · Senior Youth Worker (direct line manager)
· Staff of Residential Care Facilities
· Department for Families and Communities staff
· Other Government departments
· Non-government organisations
Special Conditions / · Successful applicant will be required to satisfactorily complete a Background Screening and National Criminal History Record Check (NCHRC) prior to being employed and every three years.
· Required to undertake shift work over 24 hours on a rostered basis including week-end and Public Holidays. Penalty rates apply for week-end, public holiday and shift work.
· Hold a current driver’s license of an appropriate classification and is able and willing to drive in the course of their duties.
· Hold a current Senior First Aid Certificate and is willing to use it.
3. QUALIFICATIONS
Essential / The successful applicant will be required to undertake training to acquire the Certification relevant to this role.
4. PRIMARY OUTCOMES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES / RELATED TASKS
Caring Support / · Provide day to day caring of infants, children and young people aged from birth to 18 years.
· Feeding, bathing, dressing of infants as well as the changing of infant diapers.
· Provide a well balanced nutritional diet for infants, children and young people including sterilizing bottles and preparing formula for infants.
· Provide support to the infants, children and young people including those with a disability, from a diverse cultural background and from all religious and language groups.
· Keep records on individual infants, children and young people including daily observations and information about activities, meals served, and medications administered.
· Instruct children and young people in health and personal habits such as eating, resting, and toilet habits.
· Read to infants, children and young people and teach them simple painting, drawing, handicrafts and songs.
· Help children and young people with homework and school work.
· Perform housekeeping duties such as laundry, cleaning, dishwashing and changing of linens.
· Transport children and young people to school, appointments and recreational activities.
Program & service delivery / · Facilitate access to educational, training and recreational services.
· Assist in the delivery of literacy and numeracy programs.
· Develop and implement programs which teach children and young people practical living skills, how to settle disputes without violence, how to make choices and decisions and how to take responsibility for one’s actions.
· Provide support to volunteers involved in programs for infants, children and young people and assist with their recruitment and training.
· Design, deliver and, on occasions, actively participate with children and young people in a range of recreational and educational programs that teach practical living skills in preparing meals, performing cleaning and laundry duties, and in personal hygiene.
· Contribute to the evaluation and assessment of unit programs and processes.
· Provide infants, children and young people access to services that preclude discrimination, including adequate nutrition, clothing, accommodation, recreation, medical services, and education and training.
· Arrange medical attention, if necessary, for infants, children and young people.
· Deliver age appropriate programs which teach practical living skills such as cooking, laundry and personal hygiene to children and young people.
· Support Child and Youth Support Workers and other professionals in implementing a range of programs with infants, children and young people.
· Promote positive relationships with parents/guardians and other members of the infants, children or young people’s family.
· Provide appropriate direction to, and supervision of infants, children and young people while recognising and maintaining the rights of infants, children and young people.
· Provide a mentor support to Child and Youth Support Workers.
Supervision of young people / · Provide care, guidance, support and supervision of infants, children and young people in a reasonable and appropriate manner, and protect them from harm and exploitation.
· Provide opportunities for children and young people to experience success and to realise their full potential.
· Sensitively ascertain information from child or young people about their health, education, family and cultural background, and their understanding of their situation.
· Observe and accurately record infants, children’s and young person’s behaviour, needs and interaction with others.
· Provide support and counselling to child and/or young people while in care and, on occasions, after care.
· Accept the role of key worker for an infant, child and young person when determined as appropriate.
· Consider a young person’s personal opinions and wishes in decisions that affect his or her life.
· Respect and understand the infants, children and young people’s cultural and religious characteristics.
· Provide a safe, secure and caring environment for infants, children and young people.
· Provide appropriate behaviour management and direction to young people in care and, when necessary, the imposition of controls, in accordance with Departmental standard procedures.
Advocacy / · Participate in relevant panels and conferences for children and young people.
· Encourage and advocate for young people’s involvement in educational, vocational and recreational activities at inter and intra-agency level.
· Report on the needs assessment in order to contribute to the development of a case plan for comprehensive services which match the young person’s specific needs.
Supporting Child and Youth Support Workers / · Intervene and manage the more complex and difficult situations.
· Encourage staff to maintain standards of excellence in service delivery and to develop innovative responses to complex problems.
· Consult with Child and Youth Support Workers around observing and accurately recording infants, child’s and/or young people's behaviour, needs and interactions with others.
· Support Child and Youth Support Workers to provide care, guidance, support and supervision of infants, child’s and/or young person in reasonable and appropriate manner, and their protection from harm and exploitation.
· Provide appropriate written and verbal reports.
· Actively participate in supervision sessions and unit meetings.
· Assist in the training and development of other workers.
Organisational Contribution / · Understand and follow workplace safety initiatives, identify hazards and contribute to a safe working environment, as well as follow procedures to manage and minimise risks within the DFC.
· Follow the principles of a sustainable working environment by following departmental greening initiatives.
· Model ethical behaviour and practices consistent with SA Government Code of Ethics for Public Sector Employees and DFC stated values.
5. DFC CAPABILITIES (B)
Relating & Communicating / · Develop team relationships and encourage active participation from all team members.
· Adapt communication style to build effective rapport both within and across teams.
· Communicate ideas and information, both written and verbally, in a clear and logical format.
Client Focus / · Coordinate implementation of client service strategies.
· Resolve complex client issues, adjust approach to meet changing priorities and provide services that address the needs of clients, and clients with a disability.
· Deliver high quality solutions and accurate information to clients in a timely manner to build positive client relationships.
Achieving Outcomes / · Manage workload and changing priorities.
· Guide and support others to help meet set objectives.
· Set challenging and realistic goals for self and/or team.
Personal Drive and Professionalism / · Respond to changing priorities and adapt approach to accommodate new operational environments.
· Understand and follow workplace safety requirements, identify potential hazards and contribute to a safe working environment.
· Evaluate personal progress and develop new approaches to increase knowledge base and skill sets.
Continuous Improvement / · Recognise the need for change, support change and identify impact of change on team goals/procedures.
· Contribute innovative ideas to improve departmental processes and encourage others to contribute.
· Monitor data integrity and apply appropriate procedures for maintaining security and confidentiality.
Respect Cultural Diversity / · Take action and provide services that are inclusive of Aboriginal people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds as well as engaging in learning about other cultures to better establish relationships and improve services.
6. ROLE SPECIFIC CAPABILITIES
1 / Initiative – take prompt action to solve problems, act decisively on own judgement and look to go beyond job requirements to achieve objectives. Ability to work under pressure, organise priorities and meet deadlines.
2 / Young People – Demonstrated experience in working with vulnerable young people, and use of communication skills, behavioural intervention techniques and the physical capability to manage young people in crisis.
3 / Program Development - Ability to design, develop, evaluate and participate in programs/projects for young people on an individual or group basis incorporating knowledge of Child and Adolescent Development.
4 / Multi-disciplinary teamwork – effectively communicate and work with people from diverse professional backgrounds and work as a team member to provide a holistic standards professional service
5 / Legislative Knowledge Base – Demonstrated knowledge of the Young Offenders Act 1993; Family and Community Services Act 1972; and the Children’s Protection Act (1993).
7. DELEGATES APPROVAL
ASSESSED BY: / Jade Walkley / Date: / Signature:
APPROVED BY: / Jackie Campbell / Date: / Signature:
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