Position Description: Youth Support and Recreation Outreach Worker (Youth Crime Prevention The Ignite Program)

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1 Vision: Purpose: Values: 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. Honesty Empowerment We are impartial and authentic in our practice and in how we relate to colleagues within and outside of our organisation We create a positive environment for staff and young people to make valuable contributions Accountability Respect 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: Employment Status: Remuneration: Responsible to: Direct reports: Overview: Pakenham 1 x Part Time position (0.6 FTE/ 22.8 hours per week). Fixed term contract to 30/06/2019. Days of work can be negotiated and some after-hours work will be required. Annual salary SCHADS Level 4-5 (dependant on qualifications and experience) plus 9.5% Employer superannuation and salary packaging. YSAS Southern Program Manager NIL The Youth Crime Prevention Grants program is part of the Victorian Government s response to youth offending, particularly recidivist offending, tackling the issue through the proven strategy of strengthening the ability of local communities intervening early and diverting young people from criminal behaviour. YSAS is the lead agency supported by partner organisations who will deliver Youth Crime Prevention projects over two years in the Southern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne, including the Local Government Areas of Cardinia, Frankston, Casey and Dandenong. The Ignite Program will target young people (mostly male) who reside in the Shire of Cardinia and are involved in the justice system as a result of serious criminal offending and anti-social behaviour. The project will utilise an assertive youth outreach approach and therapeutic recreation and adventure activities to engage participants who are disconnected from school, family and other pro-social 1

2 connections and assist them to re-orient a negative self-identity to that of a valued social contributor. Key responsibilities: Primary Purpose: Direct Service Activities (Individual client support and treatment planning, recreation focused group work), Referral Networks and Pathways, Administration, Program Development and Evaluation, Service Promotion, The Youth Support and Recreation Outreach (YSRO) worker will coordinate the implementation and ongoing operation of the Ignite Program in with support from the YSAS Day Program and project partners including the Shire of Cardinia Youth Services and Task Force Community Agency. The YSRO worker will be responsible for the day to day running of the program including; supporting young people into the program, working with them to get the most out of the recreation, adventure, cultural, artistic and community events and activities, identifying and supporting pathways for them to strengthen their engagement with important services and their community, explore new interests and build new skills. The YSRO worker will work in alignment with the YSAS relationship based practice model and utilise Resilience frameworks in supporting the program. Key Responsibilities Key area Key responsibilities Agreed achievement Direct Service Activities Provide a developmentally appropriate and responsive outreach based Activity Program to vulnerable young people from the Shire of Cardinia Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify needs of the cohort and plan the Program accordingly Plan and facilitate groups for participants that align with the youth crime prevention grant objectives in consultation with the consortium or other service providers such as education, universal youth services etc. Undertake assertive outreach to initiate and maintain contact with young people at risk of disengagement from services Facilitate groups for young people that fosters pro-social development and life skills Support the development and maintenance of family relationships Provide support to young people with complex psycho-social issues within a harm minimisation framework Provide support to 20 young people over the life of the project Comprehensive assessment conducted for each participant 2

3 and community Implement a range of modalities including but not limited to: individual casework, group work, family work, collaboration and care planning Advocate on behalf of young people in the target population and in consultation with other key stakeholders Facilitate a range of responses that meet the young persons assessed needs, such as, health, food and safety, education, employment and social activities Support and encourage young people to develop links with other services, arts, cultural and sporting activities and the communities they live in Model appropriate behaviour and facilitate positive communication between young people Referral Networks and Pathways Provide exposure, linkage and referral to a range of youth services including primary health, legal, sport, arts, cultural, employment/ educational and recreational services Develop and establish collaborative relationships with project partners and key stakeholders to enhance service co- ordination Provide information and feedback to stakeholders (including the project steering committee the Cardinia Crime Develop collaborative partnerships with relevant stakeholders Develop and maintain formal/informal networks in order to achieve goals Attend network meetings in order to maintain positive relationships Represent YSAS ethically and professionally on every occasion Develop an understanding of YSAS practice frameworks 3

4 Action Group) about the activities of the program on a regular basis Attend relevant network meetings as requested Demonstrate professional and ethical communication with all networks Articulate YSAS resilience and relationship based approach with relevant stakeholders Administration Ensure client files and data base are up-to-date, accurate and meet both organisational and legislative requirements Ensure incident reports are completed in a timely manner and meet organisational procedures Prepare client related reports as required Co-ordinate certain aspects of the overall program. Maintain a high standard of documentation and reporting Data collection requirements are up to date at all times Supervision policy is adhered to Adhere to petty cash and client brokerage procedures Participate in regular supervision with Manager Program Development and Evaluation Contribute to the development and maintenance of an innovative service delivery model for young people Comply with all evaluation requirements as directed by the Crime Statistics Agency (per the funding agreement) Where possible include young people in the evaluation of the service Participate in the Community of Practice and apply a reflective Commitment to the best Interests of Young People Provision of a quality service to young people Program improvement is tabled in supervision and with the Community of Support Participation at each Community of Practice session (unless arranged with Manager) 4

5 practice Continuous Improvement Contribute to continuous quality improvement in relation to service delivery Developing linkages with referral services Participation in evaluation and ongoing monitoring of the program Ensure all work complies of the relevant legislation/regulations, YSAS policies and procedures and other relevant compliance requirements Incident reports follow YSAS policies & Procedures. Collaborate with other support services and community based activities to integrate support and provide optimal service provision Ensure incident reports are timely and meet organizational procedures and Departmental requirements Professional Conduct and Relationship Management Adhere to all YSAS policies and procedures including the Code of Conduct, Child Safety Policies, Confidentiality Agreement, Workplace Respect policy etc Demonstrated commitment to YSAS organisational values On every occasion YSAS is represented ethically and professionally. Good working relationships with stakeholders Organisational needs understood Provide highest ethical standards at YSAS; not only to young people in the communities we serve, but to our co-workers and ourselves 5

6 Position Requirements Education Relevant qualifications in in Youth Work, Social Work, Community Services or other health related qualifications (i.e. Social Work, Youth Work, Family Studies, etc.) and/or extensive experience in the field will be highly regarded Certificate IV in AOD work is highly desirable Experience Expertise and/or experience in working with young people at risk (and their families) Knowledge and Skills Personal qualities Previous experience in group based work is an advantage especially recreation and adventure based activity 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 others and seen as a credible source of advice Knowledge of the local area and service offerings/networks A team player, able to work in a collaborative way but equally self directed Supreme tact, sensitivity and diplomacy; ability to think on feet and act proactively with discretion Energy and enthusiasm Commitment to personal learning, development and improvement in pursuit of own performance objectives and those of the team and organisation. 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 Current First Aid Certificate (level 2) 6

7 Key Selection Criteria Highly developed engagement and communication skills with young people who are experiencing multiple and complex social disadvantages (especially criminogenic needs) and a demonstrated ability to motivate them to develop and achieve their goals. Experience in supporting recreation/adventure based and other types of group activities in a therapeutic and safe manner. Experience in developing linkages and connections with external community activities and programs Knowledge and understanding of adolescent development and ability to practice a range of interventions including assessment, case work, care planning, advocacy, group work, crisis intervention and collaborative outreach based service delivery. Demonstrated capacity to work effectively both independently and within a multidisciplinary team setting. 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 Support and Recreation Worker Name: Date: YSAS Southern Region Program Manager Name: Date: 7