CatholicCare Canberra and Goulburn

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position:Youth and Family Worker- Reconnect ACT

Reports To:Program Manager

Responsible for:None

Location:Blackfriars, outreach work

Classification:Level 5 CatholicCare Enterprise Agreement

THE AGENCY

CatholicCare Canberra and Goulburn (CatholicCare) is the welfare arm of the Roman Catholic Church and has provided services to the Australian Capital Territory and South Eastern New South Wales since 1957.

Today CatholicCare is one of the ACT’s largest providers, assisting over 6000 people per year across the ACT and its regions, through the provision of quality services that include accommodation, respite, aged care, disability, mental health, youth, drug and alcohol, employment, counselling, migrant support and early intervention services. CatholicCare employs over 250 people across the region.

Vision

Our vision is for an equitable society where the rights, dignity and worth of all individuals are recognised and promoted.

Our Mission

CatholicCare Canberra and Goulburn is the welfare arm of the Archdiocese of CanberraandGoulburn. In keeping with the Catholic Church’s Social

Teachings we uphold the dignity of each personby;

•Providing high quality accessible services thatarealignedwithindividual

Needs.

•Empowering individuals,couples andfamilies

•Promoting healthy,inclusive communities throughrelationshipsand

collaborationfor the common good

Our Values

Respect - we recognise and provide services that uphold theinherentdignity of each individual.

Stewardship – we use our gifts and resources in a responsible way that helps provide justiceforall.

Solidarity -we commit ourselves to work with others in a way that enables all in our community to share in the common good.

Excellence - we aspire to the highest standards of service for the people we care for, in all that we do and for all in our community

THE PROGRAM-YOUR TEAM

The Reconnect ACT Program provides outreach support within a case management framework to young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, between the age of 12 - 18yrs, and their families.

The aim of the program is to assist young people and their families to maintain contact, and where appropriate, to assist young people to remain within the family home. This is achieved through an early intervention approach, collaborative engagement, service coordination, information, education, referral and advocacy.

The service operates across the ACT.

POSITION PURPOSE AND DESCRIPTION

Provide quality Case Management, which is client focused and strength based. You will be working with young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and their families. This is an outreach position which requires effective time management and administration skills. You will be required to work with minimal supervision as an outreach worker, as well as working effectively within a small team.

Main Accountabilities / Performance Outcomes
Building Quality Organisation
Staff are expected to contribute to a safe and healthy workplace environment, as well as to provide service which conforms to agency and government rules and regulations.
Staff are expected, at times, to participate in corporate events, this could be the social club, working groups, committees etc.
Participate in the review of program and agency policies
Staff are expected to participate in building a quality service, which includes providing feedback, identifying improvement opportunities and innovative practice /
  1. Adhere to Work Health and Safety Policies
  2. Adhere to agency policy and legislation
  3. Contribute positively to the workplace environment
  4. Attendance records at committees and meetings
  5. Contribution at planning days, team meetings
  6. Each staff member is expected to engage in at least two projects per year, as negotiated with your manager

Providing quality Services and programs
  1. Provide Strength based case management to young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and their families
  1. Provide assertive outreach to support young people and their families
  1. Address barriers to young people remaining in the home
  1. Utilise family meeting approach to achieve optimum outcomes for young people and their families, where appropriate
  1. You are required maintain effective administrative functions including, records, statistics and reports relevant to the program
  1. Supervision and Professional Development
  1. Develop and undertake Action Research activities.
/ 1.1 You will be required to maintain an average caseload of 20 families/clients, or as directed by your manager
1.2 Prepare and participate in monthly case reviews with your manager
1.3 Case notes/files reflect strength based and client focused practice. These will be reviewed at your monthly meetings, as well as audited on a random basis.
1.4 Conduct thorough assessments as per the policy and procedure
1.5Develop with client and regularly review individual plans, as per P&P
1.6Your manager may attend outreach meetings with you to ensure a quality service is being provided
1.7Ensure services are provided in line with any professional or CatholicCare Code of Ethics and Conduct.
1.8At the first client meeting you are required to inform the client of confidentiality issues and our obligations under the Children and Young Persons Act 2008 and Privacy Act
1.9Provide information, referral and advocacy which need to be evidenced in files notes and reviewed at your monthly case reviews
1.10Appropriate use of brokerage funds as per the policy & procedure
2.1 All client meetings and appointments are to be placed in your outlook calendar, which is to be shared with your team members and your manager
2.2 Case notes are to accurately reflect all client contacts and demonstrate proactive and persistent processes to engage and retain clients.
2.3 All outreach visits are to be conducted in accordance with the Outreach Policy and Procedure
2.4 In the case of Clients who have lost contact with the organisation, The ‘Lost Contact Policy’ will be followed
2.5 Flexibility in working hours maybe required in the delivery of outreach to accommodate family routines. Work outside business hours requires approval from your manager.
3.1 Barriers are to be identified and a plan developed with the client to address the barriers to reaming at home.
3.2 The Individual ‘s plan is regularly reviewed as per the policy and procedure
3.3 Appropriate referrals may be made to other services to provide positive parenting services as per the referral to other agency p&p.
4.1 You are required to play a pivotal role by leading, initiating and chairing family meetings
4.2Maintain regular and effectivecommunication with young people and their families and all relevant services
4.3 You will record all family meetings in the case notes
5.1 Case notes are to be completed for all client related matters. They need to be objective, factual, concise, legible and current.
5.2 In the case of any subpoenas or audit the file must be returned to the Manager upon immediate request
5.3 Files are to be maintained as per the file management procedure
5.4 Data entry is to be completed as per contractual arrangements or policy
5.5 Data entry is to be updated on a regular basis or as client information changes.
5.6 You may be required to provide additional information, statistics and data as requested by your manager
5.7 Current client lists are to be maintained 5.8 All client appointments will be recorded in your outlook calendar. Details will include, destination, initials of the client, contact details of the client and confirmation of client attendance/non-attendance
5.8 Tasks are completed within agreed deadlines
5.9 You may be called upon to take team meeting minutes, assist writing newsletter and updating marketing materials.
6.1Attend professional supervision as per your supervision contract
6.2 You may be required to provide professional supervision to staff across the agency and /or mentoring
6.3Participate in in-line supervision as directed by your manager
6.4Undertake professional development as per your Professional Development Plan and Program and CatholicCare Policies, including program specific core training.
6.5Provide feedback and disseminate information gathered from attendance at Team Meetings
7.1 Complete a minimum of 1 Action research projects annually.
7.2 Complete a minimum of 1 project/group work activity related to capacity building.
Sustaining quality external relationships
  1. You are required to provide a professional and quality service to all stakeholders
  1. You will be required at times to represent the agency
/ 1.1 Ensure professional communications to all stakeholders
1.2Provide timely response to stakeholders
1.3Ensure feedback and complaints are dealt with as per policy
1.4For extended periods of leave, set up ‘out of office’ email and organise phone to be diverted/or a phone message
2.1Attend external network meeting, forums, committees, conferences and consultations as directed by your manager
2.2Arrange service visits as required and report to team meeting
2.3You may be required to participate in activities such as expos and community events
2.4Provide feedback of any visits or attendance at events at the team meeting

COMPLIANCE

  • Privacy Act 1988
  • Discrimination Act 1991
  • Human Rights Act 2004
  • CatholicCare Enterprise Agreement 2010-2012
  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Children’s and Young Persons Act 2008
  • Any relevant Professional standards
  • National Mental Health Standards

Please note applicable legislation may change during your employment

KEY RELATIONSHIPS/INTERACTIONS

Relationship with Who / Why
Reconnect ACT Team / Building cooperation and collaboration in the workplace to achieve team goals
Manager / Provide support, direction, accountability, approval and guidance
Senior Operations Manager / Provide support, direction, accountability, approval and guidance when manager not available
Director / Provide leadership and direction to the portfolio
Professional Supervisor / Debrief, case related and practice advice and support

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision

Ability to respond appropriately in crisis situations

Effective communication across the broad spectrum of community stakeholders

Promote positive team dynamics

Well established professional boundaries

Ability to work effectively with young people and their families

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Tertiary qualifications and at least 6 months experience in working with complex young people and families
  • Knowledge of strength based case management and an understanding of its application when working with young people and families
  • Ability to facilitate group work and family meetings.
  • Sound Sector knowledge
  • High standard of written and verbal communication skills
  • Sound IT Skills
  • Understanding of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Work Safety and Confidentiality
  • Drivers Licence
  • In possession of a Working with Vulnerable Person’s ID
  • Willingness to have National Criminal History Check and Working with Children Check where appropriate in NSW

STANDARDS TO WHICH PERFORMANCE WILL BE ASSESSED

  • Performance Outcomes
  • Demonstrating CatholicCare’s Vision, Mission and Values
  • Compliance with CatholicCare policies, procedures and practices
  • Compliance with the position description
  • Key Achievements
  • Contribution to the team and the organisation
  • Management, peer and stakeholder feedback

I have carefully reviewed the Position Description and am satisfied that it fully and accurately describes the requirements of the position.

Manager:______

Date:______

I have read this document and agree to undertake the duties and responsibilities as list above.

I acknowledge that:

  • This position description details the accountabilities of the role and provides an indication of the current duties and tasks that I may be required to undertake. Additional or other duties may from time to time be allocated in order to fully meet the responsibilities of the role, team and any organisational objectives.
  • The measures where included in this document are indicative and will be reviewed with me on an annual basis and that my performance will be measured against these measures.

Staff Name: ______

Signature:______

Date:______

Created on 6/5/2013

Q:\Quality System\Staff & Staffing\Duty Statements\Youth & Mental Health Programs\RECONNECT.doc

Reviewed:

Director Approved: