OUR VISION All children and young people thrive in resilient, strong and safe families and communities

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1 Position Title Counsellor/Group Facilitator Program Fathers and Family Relationships Program Employment Status 0.6 FTE Tenure Contract 3 Year Fixed Term Award Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 Position reports to Program Leader Fathers and Family Relationships Location Thomastown/Heidelberg HISTORY The Children s Protection Society (CPS) was founded in 1896 and is one of the oldest and most experienced independent child welfare organisations in Victoria. The Agency holds a unique place in the history of Australian child protection. CPS is an evidenced based, dynamic and diverse independent and voluntary child and family services organisation with no political or religious affiliations, governed by a Board of community members, servicing vulnerable children, young people and families. With offices in Heidelberg and Thomastown, CPS provides a range of services across metropolitan Melbourne and in regional Victoria including family support, sexual abuse counselling, adolescent sex offender treatment services, fathers support services, support for grandparents raising their grandchildren, an award winning child and family centre and evidence and competency based professional development across all of the aforementioned domains. For further information regarding CPS services, please refer to our website OUR VISION All children and young people thrive in resilient, strong and safe families and communities OUR MISSION To nurture, support and strengthen the life chances for vulnerable children, young people and families OUR VALUES Hope that change is possible and achievable Respect for all people Empowerment belief in the ability of all people to make positive changes in their lives Leadership advocate for the rights and wellbeing of children and young people Integrity our actions are underpinned by our beliefs Accountability in everything we do Page 1 of 5 CPS_F092 V2.0 Doc. Owner: HR Date Approved: Nov 2014

2 ROLE PURPOSE Program overview CPS has been working with men to help them better manage their family relationships for many years. This practice is underpinned by evidence informed practice indicating that men can contribute significantly to the wellbeing of their partners, ex-partners and importantly to the developmental and social outcomes of their children through active and positive involvement. The purpose of the Fathers and Family Relationships Program (FFRP) is to strengthen the capacity and positive involvement of fathers with their family and parenting relationships, with a particular focus on the wellbeing of children. This is achieved through the provision of: - Accessible child-focussed Individual and couples counselling. - Preventative and educative group work programs e.g. antenatal/transition to parenthood, parenting skills for new dads and father-specific parenting programs for older children and adolescents. - Community development working with local communities and developing partnerships and new initiatives with stakeholders to support fathers. - Supported social activities for dads and their families e.g. BBQs, Playgroups, organised community events - Information dissemination and informal mentoring support - Promotion of father-inclusive practice Role Overview The primary purpose of the Counsellor/Group Facilitator is to provide direct counselling to fathers and couples and to facilitate group programs for fathers and/or couples in order to strengthen their family and parenting relationships, with a particular emphasis on enhancing the well-being of children. This role also includes: responding to initial program enquiries, undertaking intake, assessment and referral activities Developing and reviewing care plans with clients Recording individual work and program activities on a statistical reporting database Facilitating group work and providing individual and relationship counselling support to fathers and couples Participation in community events and activities targeted to the support of fathers and their children Promotion of father inclusive practice Assistance with the development of partnerships for the collaborative delivery of father-specific group programs and community events Supporting program development and service improvement After-hours work on weekday evenings (primarily Mondays) will be regularly required and occasionally after-hours work on weekends for the delivery of father-specific events and activities 2

3 REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS Internal Relationships: Chief Executive Officer Executive Team Manager Child and Family Services Program Leader Fathers and Family Relationships All staff External Relationships: Key Stakeholders including, government, corporate, community and fundraising/ philanthropic stakeholders Professional networks CORE RESPONSIBILITIES Under the direction of the Program Leader Fathers and Family Relationships the Key Areas of Responsibility of the position are: Provide assessment, counselling and group work support to fathers and their families through the program. Implement evidence based group work aimed at supporting fathers and based on identified needs in collaboration with key stakeholders e.g. Maternal Child Health, Hospitals, Early Years Services etc. Provide timely responses to program enquiries for group work, counselling and other related activities. Implement evaluative processes including client feedback and program evaluation in all aspects of counselling and group work. Actively participate in regular supervision (including case review) in collaboration with Program Leader Fathers and Family Relationships. Implement and maintain protocols in relation to client/group work documentation and data entry in line with organisational and funding body requirements. Cultivate professional and productive relationships both within CPS and also with other relevant Child and Family Service agencies. Foster a positive can do (innovative) attitude as well as a team approach within the program area as well as across other CPS programs. Ensure practices are compliant with Service Quality and Practice standards according to CPS Policies and Procedures. Participate and contribute to organisational activities such as agency days, professional development, meeting attendance. Keep abreast of new practice initiatives and maintain sound knowledge of service options and referral pathways for fathers and their families. Other duties as required. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Program KPIs to be determined in conjunction with Program Leader as per development of work plan Actively participate in supervision up to one hour per fortnight (pro rata) as per CPS Supervision Policy Actively participate in agency and program quality audits Completion of all program administration requirements including group work templates, assessments, care plans, care plan reviews and case notes within agency and program deadlines 3

4 Completion of data entry/statistical recording of work activities to meet funding requirements within required deadlines CAPABILITY PROFILE Key Selection Criteria Formal Education Skills and Experience Relevant Tertiary qualifications in Social Work, Psychology, Child and Family, Social Welfare, or related discipline is essential. Demonstrated knowledge and experience providing support to fathers and/or families with complex needs in the areas of group work and counselling. Experience in the development, delivery and evaluation of group work programs. Well developed interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills. Strong networking and relationship building ability with stakeholders both internally and externally. Highly developed written, verbal & interpersonal communication skills. Strong organisational and time management skills. A demonstrated robustness, resilience and self-awareness that supports positive team work and independent practice under limited supervision. Proven ability to multi-task, work independently and use initiative / problem solving skills in order to effectively manage work load. Proficiency in MS Office and database systems to meet role requirements. Personal values aligned with CPS Organisational values. Other Key Selection Criteria Experience in couples / relationship counselling and group work. A good understanding of or willingness to learn about Aboriginal culture, values and protocols and a demonstrated capacity to work in a culturally informed and respectful manner. COMPETENCY DEFINITION Visionary Creates and/or embraces a vision for the future. Works to model and Leadership fulfill vision for self and/or others. Able to establish and maintain relationships with people at all levels. Build and Maintain Values and protects effective relationships with employees, customers Relationships and suppliers, as appropriate. Builds harmonious and positive alliances with relevant professional contacts. Establishes open communication channels. Able to express own ideas Communication and opinions in an appropriate manner. Receptive to others communications. Disseminates, promotes and develops reflective and evidence-based Reflective Practice practice models. 4

5 Results Orientation Innovation CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT Takes responsibility and accountability for achieving required actions or outcomes. Keen to complete tasks and see things through to the end. Clarifies roles, responsibilities and objectives and is committed to achieving positive outcomes. Comes up with new and imaginative ideas. Looks at things from different perspectives and recognizes novel alternatives or solutions. Identifies fresh approaches and is willing to break away from tradition. Desirable All CPS staff and volunteers are required to adhere to the values of CPS and act at all times in accordance with the Code of Conduct. Terms and conditions of employment shall be laid down in a Contract of Employment to be entered into by CPS and the employee. Under Victoria Workcover legislation, it is the applicant s duty to advise the CPS of any pre-existing medical conditions, which could be aggravated by the type of employment for which they are applying. Failure to do so seriously jeopardises any entitlement the employee might have for a work-related aggravation of that nondisclosed pre-existing condition. The successful applicant will be required to undergo satisfactory pre-employment checks, including 2 professional referees, completion of a pre-existing injury/disease declaration, Working with Children Check, National Police Check, International Police Check and proof of identity and qualifications. The successful applicant should possess and continue to hold a full Victorian Driver s Licence, a photocopy of which is held on file at CPS. The agency requires that staff use agency vehicles for work-related activities whenever possible. However, if you are authorised to use your own vehicle for work-related purposes, mileage will be paid in accordance with CPS policies. The agency will not accept liability for any damage incurred to staff vehicles whilst being used for work-related activities. CPS is a smoke free workplace. An attractive salary package will be negotiated as a contract position. This position is classified as Level 6. Superannuation and the opportunity for remuneration packaging in line with CPS s Remuneration Packaging Policy will be offered. In accordance with the Fair Work Act 2009, either party can terminate employment within the initial 6 month period of employment by providing one week s notice. A performance review will occur within the first three months of employment to enable any performance issues or concerns to be identified and addressed within the initial six month period. The position is fixed-term, part time, and dependent on ongoing funding from government. CPS does not pay any overtime. Accordingly, your supervisor must pre-approve any additional hours and Time in Lieu (TIL) in advance. All other terms and conditions of employment will be in accordance with the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award CPS policies and procedures do not form part of your contract of employment and may beamended from time to time to meet organisational requirements. Approved: Aileen Ashford Chief Executive Officer Date: 5