BonnieSupport Services Ltd

Liverpool Fairfield Multipurpose Women with Children's Accommodation, Support and Domestic and Family Violence Service

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title / Child and youth Worker
Reports To; / Program Manager
Direct Reports / Nil
Location / Canley Heights
Hours of Work / Full Time Position

POSITION CONTEXT

Bonnie Support Services Ltd is a not-for-profit homelessness service provider funded mainly by Family & Community Services (FACS). Our aim is to be a leading South West Sydney based community agency providing a range of services to women and their children who are homeless or at risk ofhomelessness, and specialising in supporting women with children who are escaping Domestic/Family Violence. Our feminist philosophy drives our service model and a clear strategy for the future will continue to drive our commitment to making an impact.

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The role of the Child Support Worker is to identify, plan and provide child specific support as an additional case management service, working in conjunction with Family Workers,within a person-centred framework.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • To provide direct case management and coordinated care and support for women and children
  • In consultation with mothers, Family Workers, and other significant stakeholders; conduct a needs assessment for children identified as having support needs that the mother cannot fulfil independently; to determine individual needs for access to relevant health and community supports.
  • Contribute to individual case plans based on the assessed needs; develop, implement, monitor and regularly review goals and actions in relevant case plans.
  • Ensure that individuals are valued and respected and that care initiatives aim to promote healthy interaction with parents and others, independence and client self-determination.
  • Organise and participate in case conferences and interagency meetings in a collaborative and consultative manner.

Liaise with mothers to refer children to community and specialist providers and book appointments

Recommend and support mothers to gain skills and knowledge that will benefit the healthy growth and progress of their children through linkages with appropriate community agencies and supports

In collaboration with the Program Manager, Family Workers, Tenancy Workers and relevant service providers, provide and monitor appropriate and responsive support services.

  • Maintain hygiene, safety and suitable resources in the Children’s Space.
  • Develop and facilitate children’s activities

Promote BSSL and advocate for service options for the target group, in the wider community, through sound working relationships with service provider networks.

Assist with administrative functions, including maintenance of client data base and funding reporting requirements.

Participate in the professional support and development of the service and maintain own professional knowledge and skills.

In conjunction with other team members, be responsible for ongoing development and evaluation of program practice, ensuring continuous quality improvement and compliance with the relevant standards.

Maintain a safe work practice in accordance with Workplace Health and Safety legislation and BSSL.

Behavioural Expectations (to form part of performance review process)

Accountabilities / Tasks
Organisational Awareness / Be aware of the BSSL organisational goals and objectives and contribute positively to their attainment
Work within the organisational policies at all times
Responsive and Client Focused / Work to timelines for response to clients.
Quality Improvement / Work to continually improve own performance
Self development / Understand own development needs, recognise and create opportunities to improve performance
Team Work/ Collaboration / Work effectively with others to achieve mutual aims and to identify and resolve problems
Communication / Gather relevant information through effective questioning
Express information and ideas appropriately
Read/review relevant documents prior to meetings
Participate at meetings and committees
Safe Practice and Environment / Understand responsibilities under WHS legislation
Identify actual/potential workplace hazards and take corrective action/or report to Manager
People Focused Environment / Set the highest standards of performance for self and others in meeting the needs of internal and external customers
Integrated and internal processes / Communicate effectively with tenants and stakeholders
Improve housing outcomes and safety
Utilise evidence-based practices in service planning and delivery
Community partnerships and tenants / Work to improve access and housing outcomes
Contribute to providing a quality housing experience
Inform and involve communities
Develop effective partnerships with relevant groups

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The Child Support Worker will report to the Program Manager. Other positions reporting to the Program Manager are the:

  • Community Workers
  • Tenancy Workers
  • Family Workers

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal
/
External
  • Executive Officer
  • Program Manager
  • Community Workers
  • Tenancy Workers
  • Family Workers
  • Domestic Officer
  • Volunteers
/
  • Clients
  • Service Providers
  • Funders
  • Community Representatives
  • Community Facilities and Services
  • Local Businesses

POSITION DIMENSIONS

  • Receives strategic direction from the Program Manager
  • Operates within BSSL philosophies, objectives, policies and procedures
  • Works within the law and conducts themselves in a professional and ethical way
  • Able to act on BSSL’s behalf to negotiate and solve conflicts or complaints in BSSLs portfolio
  • Refers matters not within position dimensions to the Program Manager

PERSON SPECIFICATION

These are the essential qualities and skills the incumbent should possess. They are not the essential criteria for the position but an overview of the functional requirements of the position. Please note that this position is part of a team and will work closely with Family Workers and other Child Support Worker.

General

Child Support Worker will come to the position with different levels of knowledge and skills.

(a) Community Resources

General knowledge of the local service system and more generally government and non-government services that is relevant for the target group. These would include legal, health, education, police, child protection, counselling, family support and Centrelink.

(b) Cross cultural and Indigenous issues

It is important to have an understanding of the issues that impact on minority groups in the community and how that can disadvantage individuals. Cross-cultural understanding is essential for the role.

(c) Domestic Violence

Knowledge of the impact that domestic violence has on women and children is essential. This includes physical, sexual, emotional, financial and social abuse. A commitment to strengths-based trauma-informed practice which is woman-centre and child focused at that promotes informed choice and self-determination is fundamental.

(d) Mental illness

An understanding of mental illness and the connection between emotional instability and abuse is desirable.

(e) Drug and Alcohol issues

Some knowledge of the effects of drugs and an understanding of the connection between violence and abuse and the use of drugs and/or alcohol is desirable.

(f) Issues of homelessness

Knowledge and understanding of the issues of homelessness and the connection between domestic violence and abuse with homelessness is desirable.

(g) Needs of children

Knowledge of the needs of children to ensure the safety, security and appropriate support for the mother and child/ren.

(h) Child Protection

As BSSL is a mandatory reporter of child abuse and neglect it is essential that all staff have knowledge of risk factors and indicators of child abuse and neglect which includes physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

POSITION CRITERIA

Essential

  1. Commitment to feminist philosophy.
  2. Early Childhood or relevant tertiary qualifications
  3. Current First Aid certificate or willingness to gain one asap.
  4. A minimum of 2 years’ experience in a similar role
  5. Demonstrated Understanding of trauma and how this impacts mental health & wellbeing, addictions, cycles of homelessness & poverty.
  6. Demonstrated understanding and experience of trauma on child development, attachment and the mother-child relationship.
  7. Ability to identify and assess significant risk of harm and enact mandatory reporting responsibilities.
  8. Competency in Aboriginal and cultural diversity.
  9. Ability to work collaboratively and co-case manage with other agencies.
  10. Ability to work effectively in a team, and autonomously
  11. Computer literacy in MS Word and MS Office products.
  12. Must be willing to undergo Working with Children Check

Desirable

  1. Skills and understanding of how to facilitate group work and community education and other capacity-building workshops and programs for woman and for children.
  2. Current Drivers Licence

Being a female is a genuine requirement as specified under section 14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).

1Position Description_Child and Youth WorkerOctober 2016