POSITION DESCRIPTION –Family Referral Worker

REPORTS TO: / Coordinator Family Referral Service
GRADE/AWARD/LEVEL: / Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 Level 4
WORK LOCATION: / Naremburn Family Centre
PROGRAM: / Family and Youth Services
WORKING WITH CHILDREN: / Clearance Required – Child Related Role

PURPOSE

The position exists to facilitate and improve access to local services for vulnerable and disadvantaged children, young people and families by providing appropriate information, support, advocacy and referrals to services that may meet their support needs.

Other Relevant Information

The provision of Family Referral Services (FRS) has arisen from the Special Commission of Inquiry into Child Protection Services in NSW. The Inquiry identified the need to improve access to services for vulnerable children, young people and families who fall below the statutory intervention threshold, but would benefit from accessing support services to address current concerns and prevent escalation.

The South Eastern and Northern Sydney Family Referral Service will provide a service with a regional focus in two parts of the Sydney Metropolitan Area: South Eastern Sydney and Northern Sydney. The contract for the delivery of this FRS is with Barnados, while CatholicCare Broken Bay has been subcontracted to deliver the Northern Sydney component.

As such, the delivery of this Service will be a joint endeavour by the two agencies, with Barnados as lead agency. This will include shared responsibility for the delivery of the telephone referral component of the service– shared on a rostered basis by the CatholicCare FRS staff, with BarnadosFRS staff.

While this role will be based at Naremburn Family Centre, staff will be required to travel to other locations within the Broken Bay Diocese, and wider Sydney region. In these cases you may be required to use your own vehicle and be reimbursed according to the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Participate in the delivery of the South Eastern and Northern Sydney Family Referral Service (FRS) across the eleven local government areas of Northern Sydney, ensuring a high standard of service is provided to families and children accessing the program, in accordance with designated performance targets. The role will:
  • Provide telephone and face-to-face services in community locations and clients’ homes.
  • Effectively undertake the Intake responsibilities including responding to incoming calls.
  • Identification of appropriate services for referrals.
  • Referral to appropriate services and follow up.
  • Develop relationships and work closely with staff of Barnardos, partner agency in the delivery of the South Eastern and Northern Sydney FRS.
  • Promote the FRS and other CatholicCare services at interagency forums and meetings as well as with individual services in Northern Sydney.
  • Support clients to access brokerage funds associated with the FRS in accordance with Agency policy.
  • Enter data into FRS data base in a timely and accurate manner.
  • Any other reasonable activities that may be required from time to time.
2. Demonstrate leadership by:
  • Attending regular supervision sessions (26 hours per year, pro rata).
  • Participating in professional development requirements.
  • Promoting the application of the agency’s policies and procedures.
  • Promoting collaborative teamwork.
3. Ensure effective mechanism are in place to review the program performance including:
  • Assisting in the review of the Family Referral Service.
  • Ensuring sound feedback and monitoring processes are in place.
  • Regular program meetings/practice reviews with program personnel.
4. Promote and uphold the Mission, Vision and Values of CatholicCare Diocese of Broken Bay as a Catholic Social Services Agency by:
  • Effectively modelling CatholicCare Diocese of Broken Bay Values to staff, clients and others.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This role has no staff supervisory responsibilities.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

To perform the job successfully, the Family Referral Workershould demonstrate the following competencies:

  • Oral and Communication skills –the ability to express oneself clearly in writing and in conversations and interactions with others.
  • Information management skills –Organise and prioritise workload. To manage information from a variety of different sources in accordance with CatholicCare Policies.
  • Building collaborative relationships –The ability to develop, maintain and strengthen partnerships with others inside and/or outside the organization.
  • Teamwork – the ability and desire to work cooperatively with others on a team. .
  • Initiative– individuals taking responsibility for their performance with integrity and diligence.
  • Relationship building – Present a warm, approachable and non-judgemental attitude to children, young people and their families. The ability to develop, maintain and strengthen partnerships with others inside and/or outside the organization.
  • Client focus – commitment to supporting the excellence in CatholicCare programs and interventions, enabling all CatholicCare clients to achieve their goals and potential.

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, AND EXPERIENCE

Essential:

The Family Referral Service staff must have the following:

  • Degree in Social Work, Psychology or related discipline.
  • Understanding of current child protection legislation and practices in NSW.
  • Understanding of issues of domestic violence, mental health, alcohol and other drugs, homelessness and the impact such issues may have on child development and parenting.
  • Relationship building – the ability to develop, maintain and strengthen partnerships with others inside and/or outside the organisation.
  • Sound verbal and written communication skills.
  • Strong time management skills.
  • Strong team work skills.
  • Current NSW Drivers Licence

Position Title: Family Referral ServicePage 1 of 3

Choose status: 19 December 2017