Position Description: Youth AOD Worker- Linking Youth and Families Together (LYFT)

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1 Vision: Purpose: A community where all young people are valued, included and have every opportunity to thrive To enable young people experiencing serious disadvantage to access the resources and support they require to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. Values: Honesty We are impartial and authentic in our practice and in how we relate to colleagues within and outside of our organisation Empowerment Acceptance Respect We create a positive environment for staff and young people to make valuable contributions We accept and value the diversity of people, cultures and life s experience We respect the rights of others and treat others as we would like to be treated Location: Wyndham Youth Resource Centre - Hoppers Crossing Employment Status: Fixed term full-time contract to 30 th June 2018 Remuneration: Responsible to: Direct reports: Key responsibilities: : Primary Purpose: Annual salary (SCHADS Level 6 dependent on qualifications and experience) plus 9.5% Employer superannuation, salary packaging Manager Community s Sunshine NIL Direct Service Activities, Referral Networks and Pathways, Administration, Development and Evaluation, Service Promotion The LYFT program is delivered in partnership with Anglicare Victoria and Odyssey House Victoria across the western metropolitan areas of Werribee and Melton targeting young people from African and Pasifika communities. The LYFT program aims to reduce problematic alcohol use amongst young people and the adverse effects on individuals and their families by providing information, support and therapeutic treatment as well as linkages to other community supports. The LYFT model takes a family therapeutic approach to youth AOD service delivery, operating from a family systems paradigm and incorporating various aspects of 1

2 family therapy models to address entrenched and destructive patterns within the family. LYFT provides Family Therapeutic Counselling and Case Coordination. The primary client group for LYFT will be young people aged between years who are using substances in a problematic way, as well as their families This cohort will include young people already engaged in Alcohol & Other Drug (AOD) treatment services as well as those who are not. The notion of family is understood broadly and includes relatives and significant others. The LYFT outreach worker will include providing young people and their families up to twelve sessions, depending on the individual and family needs. The YSAS youth outreach worker supports young people who are experiencing a range of challenges with their alcohol and/or drug use. YSAS works on the premise that young people are experts in their own lives and workers provide them with support to make informed decisions. The youth outreach worker will work within a multidisciplinary team of AOD outreach workers and a family worker and is funded by the North Western Primary Health Network. Youth outreach workers are required to work independently across a range of life areas with support from the team and supervisor. 2

3 Key Responsibilities Key Area Key Responsibilities Agreed Achievement Direct Service Provide education and support through case work to young people with substance use issues around drugs and alcohol which is consistent with a harm minimisation approach. Facilitate a range of responses that meet the young persons assessed needs, such as accommodation, health, food and safety, education, employment and social activities. Assist family members to develop skills and strategies that support the young person engaged in treatment Assist family members to develop a range of skills and responses that will improve the functioning of the family system Assist the family to identify additional sources of support inside and outside the family that will sustain positive changes in the family system Support and encourage young people to develop links with other services and/ or communities. Provide support to young people with substance use issues within a harm minimization framework Support young people to improve links with their families, communities and other services Promote a safe and friendly environment in order to facilitate the communication between young people Model appropriate behaviour and facilitate positive communication between young people. As required advocate on behalf of young people. Referral Networks and Pathways Provide referral and links to a range of youth services including primary health, housing, legal, justice, employment/educational and recreational services. Develop and establish collaborative relationships with key stakeholders to enhance service co- ordination. Provide secondary consultation to internal and external services. Attend relevant network meetings, as requested. Demonstrate professional and ethical communication with all networks. Articulate YSAS relationships based approach with relevant stakeholders. Collaborative partnerships and networks with relevant stakeholders established and maintained in order to achieve goals Attend network meetings in order to maintain positive relationships. Develop an understanding of YSAS practice frameworks. 3

4 Key Area Key Responsibilities Agreed Achievement Administration Administration, data recording and financial accountability, Prepare reports as required. Adhere to petty cash procedures. Ensure relevant client case records are up-to-date, accurate and meet both organizational and legislative requirements to ensure effective case management and therapeutic interventions Complete administrative tasks, meetings and organizational procedures as requested Complete reports as specified by the management team Development and Evaluation Actively contribute to the development of the LYFT service model Contribute to and participate in action research to evaluate the LYFT program and to build evidence in support of a Family Therapy model that can that can be applied broadly across the State Contribute to continuous quality improvement in relation to service delivery. Ensure quality improvement is adhered with Ysas procedures. Ensure effective service is delivered and referral pathways are specific to the specific group Continuous Improvement Contribute to continuous quality improvement in relation to service delivery; Participate in team development, peer and clinical supervision Participate in relevant training to extend and expand professional therapeutic skills Participation in ongoing monitoring of the program; Include clients in the evaluation of the service where appropriate; Collaborate with other support services and community based activities to integrate support and provide optimal service provision. 4

5 Key Area Key Responsibilities Agreed Achievement Professional Conduct and Relationship Management Adhere to all YSAS policies and procedures including the Code of Conduct, Confidentiality Agreement, EEO policy Demonstrated commitment to YSAS organisational values Provide highest ethical standards at YSAS; not only to young people in the communities we serve, but to our co-workers and ourselves Undertake proactive identification and on-going management of stakeholders, including suppliers and auditors On every occasion YSAS is represented ethically and professionally. Good working relationships with stakeholders Organisational needs understood Work collaboratively with the LYFT team and staff across the organisation to ensure organisational needs are understood, recognised and responded to, as well as staff are supported in their services Position Requirements Education Relevant tertiary qualifications in AOD, Youth Work, Community Services or other health related qualifications (i.e. Social Work, Youth Work, Family Studies, etc.). Experience Minimum of three years professional experience in similar position Knowledge and Skills Personal qualities Knowledge of and understanding of the key issues facing young people. Well organised but able to flex and manage competing priorities and deadlines. Excellent written and oral communication skills, as well as highly developed interpersonal, coaching, and consultative skills. Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills and ability to deliver innovative solutions. Good judgment, able to influence senior managers and seen as a credible source of advice. A team player, able to work in a collaborative way. Supreme tact, sensitivity and diplomacy; ability to think on feet and act proactively with discretion. Commitment to personal learning, development and improvement in pursuit of own performance objectives and those of the team and organisation. 5

6 Commitment to YSAS values and a working style that reflects these. Other Requirements Current Victorian Driver s Licence Current and ongoing successful National Police check Current and ongoing Working With Children Check Desirable - Current First Aid (Level 2) certificate Key Selection Criteria 1. Experience in working with young people with complex needs in an outreach capacity, especially issues relating to independent living and problematic alcohol or other drug use. 2. Demonstrated understanding of care planning and review and case work / case management approaches, in addition to responding to crises and accessing other support services. 3. Capacity and willingness to work flexible hours, including evening work. 4. Highly developed engagement and communication skills with young people from a range of backgrounds (including Aboriginal and CALD communities) and age groups, including ability to model appropriate behaviours and motivate young people. 5. Demonstrated experience of participation in co-operative and collaborative work practices with other service providers and community groups, including well developed liaison and networking skills. 6. Demonstrated skills in written communication, including report writing, case notes and data recording. I accept the PD as acknowledged above and understand that the PD will be reviewed as required. I also understand that the PD may need to be amended occasionally due to variations in responsibilities and organisational requirements. Changes to the PD will be consistent with the purpose for which the position was established. SIGNED Youth AOD Worker- Outreach Name: Date: Manager Community s Sunshine Name: Date: 6