Family Liaison Officer (FLO)

St John the Baptist, Woy Woy, andOur Lady of the Rosary, Wyoming Catholic Primary Schools

0.8FTE 4 days a week

The Family Liaison Officer(FLO) position exists to provide effective and high quality parent engagement and family support structureswithinschool communities, and to develop strong family/school partnerships. Services provided will be developed according to the specific needs of thetwo individual school communities. The FLO will work closely with the Parent Liaison Officer of the Catholic Schools Office, and the Principals of the two schools, together with staff, local parent communities and the school counsellor. The FLO reports to the relevant School Principal and the Head of Educational Services, Diocese of Broken Bay.

Key Accountabilities:

  • Demonstrated commitment to the ethos of Catholic Education and a understanding of the Catholic Worldview
  • Skills in working with the school principals to build positive relationships with parents across the school community;
  • Ability to supportthe school in developing and nurturing parent engagement in school programs;
  • Provision of information to parents on services, agencies and support networks within the local community;
  • ability to offer informed advice and information to families experiencing difficulties and organisingsupport or referral to appropriate services.
  • Provision of practical support and assistance to families in need of individual parenting assistance.
  • Facilitation of high quality group work, parent education and parenting support programs as required.
  • Skills in working closely with the established and emerging parent support and leadership structures within the school.
  • Ability to assistwith the delivery of transition to school and other early learning family programs, such as “play to learn” activities.
  • Ability to developand support programs that enable parents to be partners in their child’s learning and wellbeing.
  • Skills in responding to families who may experience crisis.
  • Well-developed skills to establish and maintain a positive, professional relationship with families.
  • Ability to evaluate and provide feedback to the school and Catholic Schools Office about the effectiveness of the role.

Required competencies and criteria

To perform the FLO role successfully the applicant should demonstrate the following competencies and criteria:

  • is supportive of the ethos of Catholic education.
  • has excellent communication skills including the capacity to empathise and maintain confidentiality.
  • is a good team worker with the ability to communicate effectively and work cooperatively with school staff, parents and local community groups.
  • is able to work effectively in one-to-one situations, exhibit confidence in public speaking/leadership and group facilitation and can communicate effectively through written newsletters, online and social media.
  • can build relationships and develop leadership support with parents across the local school/parish community
  • can develop and implement parent support and parent education programs,
  • has excellent skills in organisation and time management, and the ability to take responsibility for their performance.

Education, knowledge and experience

  • Is able to work with the Principal and staff members to support parents in understanding contemporary Catholic education and the parents’ role in the education and wellbeing of their child.
  • Tertiary qualifications in an appropriate area e.g. social work, social science, welfare, psychology, health, education or related discipline.
  • Competent computer and IT skills.
  • Can articulate a vision and encourage processes for home/school/parish and community partnerships.
  • Demonstrated experience in working with families especially in a school context.
  • Comprehensively insured motor vehicle.

Contract period

The initial appointment will be for one (1) year and may be renewed dependant on a review of the role.

Salary

The salary paid will be based on Level 6 of the CSO support staff salary scale, plus superannuation, and depending on qualifications and experience.

Travel

Own transport is essential and travelling costs will be reimbursed in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Catholic Schools Office.

Contact

For clarification regarding the role, please contact Dr Mark Askew or the School Principal.

Please note that Child Protection Legislation requires preferred applicants for “child related employment” to be subject to employment screening.

The Catholic Worldview

The Catholic Worldview is a comprehensive perception of the universe, revealed to us in Jesus that provides insights into the meaning of life and how to live it.

The Catholic Worldview is experiencing life through the eyes of our Catholic faith.

The Catholic Worldview perceives:

1.God as Trinity, a communion of Persons who love us and invite us to share in their divine life for all eternity;

2.the action of the Spirit in the world, inviting and empowering all people to respond to the divine love;

3.Jesus as God's Son, who saved us through his life, death and resurrection, and through whom we enter into the life of God;

4.the meaning and purpose of life as grounded in God's love for us and our response as disciples of Jesus;

5.the Church as the communion of disciples that makes present to the world the mystery of Jesus and, through its sacramental life, makes us part of that mystery;

6.the presence of God in our daily life, in the Eucharist, in the Sacred Scriptures and in the living tradition of the Church;

7.the cross of Jesus in the struggles and hardships of life and approaches them as Jesus did his cross, with trust and confidence in God;

8.each human being as a unique person created in the image of God, having an inalienable dignity that is always to be respected;

9.an imperative to proclaim to others the love we receive from Jesus, by loving them as Jesus loves us;

10.an obligation to work to create social conditions in which the unique dignity of each person is respected and all human rights protected.

Authorised by Bishop David Walker

Tuesday 27 July 2004

A ministry of leadership and service to Catholic schools