Position Title: / Family Support Worker
Department: / Client Programs
Service: / Early Start early Intervention
Location: / Oak Flats
Reporting to: / Team Leader
Direct Reports: / NIL
Date of Review: / July 2015

ABOUT NORTHCOTT:

Our Purpose

To build an inclusive society where people can live the life they choose.

Our Vision

We will grow our services because clients choose us as their provider of choice

Our Core Values

  • Friendly and considerate
  • Committed and enthusiastic
  • Innovative and responsive
  • Ethical and courageous
  • Professional and competent

KEY OBJECTIVE OF THE SERVICE/DEPARTMENT:

To provide a flexible and responsive life stage approach to early childhood intervention for children aged 0-8 with a disability and their families in everyday settings to promote skill development, participation and inclusion of children in their communities. The service will build on existing range of supports and services available to people with disability and their families and focus on the building of capacity of local communities and mainstream services to support and meet the needs of children with disability and their families. Supports are provided using a family centred approach, in natural, everyday settings that incorporate inclusive practices and can be provided within mainstream services. The capacity of mainstream services to support children with disabilities and their families is increased. Build capacity in carers in preparation for NDIS.

KEY OBJECTIVE OF THE POSITION:

To provide individual and group based support to families through person-centred planning. To promote family resilience using strengths based practice. Provide information and assist with access to mainstream and disability-specific agencies and services in the local area and to facilitate access to generic and disability-specific support, education, activity and social support groups for families that target parents, carers, the child with developmental concerns and siblings.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS (SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE)

  • Previous work experience with people with disabilities preferred, and sound experience in the provision of human services.
  • Knowledge of the value and importance of Community Development
  • Skills and experience in working with children with disabilities and their families using a family-centred approach;
  • Experience in implementing, designing and evaluating group and individual programs to meet children’s individual learning goals, their families’ needs and develop mainstream community capacity;
  • Ability to communicate with parents about their children’s abilities and to provide them with ideas for activities for their child;
  • Ability to provide information and training, at preschools, schools and in the community, on the learning needs of children with disabilities, and educate mainstream services to build their capacity to promote inclusion;
  • Experience working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds;
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills including report writing.
  • An understanding of contemporary issues in the provision of services to people with disabilities, their families and carers, in particular those living in complex situations.
  • Proficient Computer skills;
  • Ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary and trans disciplinary team;
  • Highly developed organisational and time management skills with the ability to prioritise competing demands while attending to urgent program or organisational needs.
  • Demonstrated ability to operate independently and professionally with limited supervision;
  • Knowledge of the Disability Services Act & Standards
  • Knowledge of the Child Protection Legislation and the principles of Keep Them Safe
  • Knowledge of Strengths Based, Person Centered approaches

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

  • Social Work or other Welfare/Community related qualifications
  • Extensive experience in the provision of family support and in working with families with complex needs
  • Experience providing case management to families, preferably with a child with a disability.
  • Experience in community development and building partnerships with other mainstream agencies.
  • Experience working in a Strengths based, Person/Family Centered framework
  • Current NSW Driver’s License
  • Current First Aid Certificate (or willingness to obtain)

DELEGATION LEVEL

NIL

CORE COMPETENCIES OF THE ROLE

Customer Focus / External Contact

  • Meets internal and external consumer needs in a timely and courteous manner.
  • Examines consumer requests to properly identify and resolve their concerns.
  • Supports consumer service efforts through program design, implementation, recovery and follow-up.

Relationship Building

  • Ensures development and growth of relationships with strategic partnerships at a local level to maximize financial and non-financial support.
  • Actively demonstrates development and growth of relationships with clients and their carers ensuring Northcott remains the service provider of choice.

Problem Solving

  • Defines extent of problem areas and develops solutions. Effectively identifies and evaluates alternative solutions. Makes decisions consistent with skills and experience. Recognises decisions that have to be deferred until all pertinent facts are gathered and analysed. Flexible in modifying decisions.

Leadership

  • Provides leadership in the development and implementation of Northcott’s Strategic Plan and with the ongoing planning and development of Individual and Family Support programs in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven area. Contributes to the overall development of the service sector in a positive and proactive manner.

Time Impact

  • Monthly reporting to the Team Leader.
  • Meets scheduled deadlines as required.
  • Provide service delivery to clients and their families in a timely manner.

DUTIES

The typical duties of this position include:

  1. Provide information on community services and eligibility for practical and financial support services.
  2. Assess the need to maintain contact with clients who find difficulty in identifying their own needs and struggle to keep in contact. Maintain contact with clients/families to keep them informed about services.
  3. Make appropriate referrals to generic community services to meet identified needs.
  4. Contract with clients (through Service Agreements) to provide specific services to meet identified needs.
  5. Provide individual and/or family casework support on a range of issues, including grief and loss; relationship issues; trauma issues etc.
  6. Regularly evaluate and review with clients their needs and appropriate services.
  7. Act as an advocate for the client within the Agency and with other community services.
  8. Assist in planning, conducting and evaluating regular group activities.
  9. Provide, in conjunction with families and team, on-going evaluation of the appropriateness and effectiveness of the programs offered both informally and through participation in regular service reviews.
  10. Liaise with other professionals involved in meeting the support needs of the child and ther families.
  11. Assist children to participate in group settings.
  12. Facilitate play and learning.
  13. Assist in the data collection of projects within the team, as required by the relevant funding bodies.
  14. Adhere to Northcott policies, in particular, the Code of Conduct and Ethics.
  15. Comply with, report on and actively participate in Northcott’s Safety and Injury Management Procedures and Northcott’s WH&S Procedures.

This list is indicative only and is subject to change. All Northcott employees are required to comply with any reasonable work requests as directed by their employer from time to time.

NORTHCOTT POLICY AND PROCEDURES

All Northcott employees are expected to adhere to Northcott policies and procedures, in particular:

  • Code of Conduct and Ethics
  • Discrimination Harassment and Bullying Prevention Policy
  • Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
  • WHS Policies and Procedures.

For more information see your manager or refer to the policy and procedures on the Northcott Intranet.

Employee’s SignatureEmployee’s NameDate

Manager’s SignatureManager’s NameDate

Please forward a signed copy to Human Resources.

File path location: Northcott Intranet\HR\Forms
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Owner: HR / Issue Date: June 2013 / Next Review Date: June 2015