POSITION DESCRIPTION

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1 POSITION TITLE DIVISION DEPARTMENT REPORTS TO POSITION DESCRIPTION ORGANISATIONAL PURPOSE Reconnect Learning Support Officer (Whittlesea) Community Services Work and Learning, Multicultural Communities Team (Epping) Programs Manager Settlement, Youth & Families Established during the Great Depression, the Brotherhood of St Laurence was the vision and creation of Fr Gerard Tucker, a man who combined his Christian faith with a fierce determination to end social injustice. The BSL has developed into an independent organisation with strong Anglican and community links. Today, we continue to fight for an Australia free of poverty. At the Brotherhood of St Laurence, we are defined by the people that make up our organisation. With 600 employees and 900 volunteers across more than 50 sites, together we strive to help people experiencing disadvantage through research and policy and services and advocacy. As well as providing services and programs for families and elderly on low incomes, refugees, young people and the unemployed, we research the causes and effects of poverty and advocate national and local policy solutions for people who are disadvantaged. The BSL is currently focusing its work on strategies to alleviate and prevent poverty for those people most at risk at the four transition stages considered critical to their future well-being: the early years, the years from school to work, periods in and out of work and retirement and ageing. Our Strategic Plan for identifies five organisational objectives: to demonstrate how to reduce disadvantage and increase social, civic and economic participation through quality, evidence-based policy, programs and practice to undertake quality research, gather knowledge and evaluate evidence to inform and support our work to work collaboratively and in partnership with others to influence policy and practice. to strengthen our organisational capability to support innovation and respond flexibly to changed circumstances to collaborate with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and ensure the Brotherhood supports their rights and aspirations. Each of these priorities is underpinned by well structured, researched and documented body of knowledge to support all elements of work within the Brotherhood. Approved: June 2016, GM Work and Learning Page 1 of 7

2 DIVISION & DEPARTMENT PURPOSE The Work and Learning Division of the Brotherhood of St Laurence seeks to assist people to live and work independently through access to effective, high quality employment, training and support programs. The department also advocates for appropriate and innovative community responses to employment and related issues. Current programs in the Work and Learning Division include: Training Services incorporating a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), this service provides accredited training funded under the Victorian Training Guarantee (VTG) and pre accredited training delivered as Learn Local, funded by the Adult Community and Further Education (ACFE) Board. Training Services is also responsible for delivering the new Reconnect program in Frankston, Hume and Whittlesea. Work and Learning Centres Work and Learning Centres (WLC) operate in four regional and one inner Melbourne location. Funded by the Victorian State Government and delivered in partnership with local delivery organisations, WLCs promote employment pathways and learning opportunities for disadvantaged people living in areas with high concentrations of public housing. Given the Chance Given the Change brokers and provides traineeship, labour hire and work placement opportunities for jobseekers within the Brotherhood and with external host employers. ParentsNext - This program works with parents in the City of Hume to help them to identify their education and employment goals, develop a pathway to achieve their goals and links them to activities and services, including training, in the local community. Reconnect Program The Reconnect Program works with young people (aged years) who are disconnected from education and training to help them to identify their education, training and employment goals and develop a plan to achieve their goals. It links them to training opportunities through Learn Local providers, RTOs and TAFEs as well as support and services in their local community. This program is funded by the Victorian Government. Staff employed in the Reconnect Program will be co-located with, and report through the Brotherhood s Youth Transitions teams located in Broadmeadows (City of Hume) and Frankston (City of Frankston) and through the Multicultural Communities Team (MCT) located in Epping (City of Whittlesea). They will connect with and complement other programs for young people in these areas including Transition to Work (TTW) in Broadmeadows and Frankston; and with ReSource Youth Program in Whittlesea and Hume. Youth Transitions The Through School to Work transition area has a focus on developing programs that ensure that young people have the opportunity to engage in education, training and employment. The Youth Transitions department focuses on young people aged 15 and over, who are disconnected from education or employment, to make the crucial step into the world of work. The Transition to Work (TTW) program provides young job seekers aged with intensive one-on-one support to gain employment or to continue their education. Funded by the Australian Government, more information on this program may be accessed at Page 2 of 7

3 Multicultural Communities Team As a leading part of BSL's Refugees, Immigration & Multiculturalism (RIM) transition area, the Multicultural Communities Team works to: Strengthen families, communities and their organisations (through complex casework and counselling, community development and organisational support for new and emerging communities); Shape responsive service provision (through service development, advice, information, special projects across a range of sectors); Influence public opinion and public policy (through advocacy, policy analysis, advice to government and community education); and Learn, through its relationships with recently-arrived communities, to act as a centre of knowledge and experience (through information, consultation and advice, documentation, action research and publications). As of June 2016, MCT is based at the Epping Community Services Hub. POSITION PURPOSE Reconnect Learning Support Officers (LSOs) will identify young people (aged years) who need support to engage effectively or to re-engage in learning and training. They will offer coaching to develop young people s aspirations; identify their interests, skills and barriers; provide careers advice linked to local labour markets; work with each young person to co-design their Student Learning and Achievement Plan (the Plan); and support the young person s engagement with education or employment. LSOs are responsible for responding to retention issues for young people engaged in the Reconnect program, including providing tutoring and classroom based support if required. They will monitor young people s progress on their Plans and liaise closely with trainers/teachers and/or employers to support young people s engagement and retention in learning. LSOs will connect young people with local services, agencies and/or other support that can help them achieve their goals and/or address any barriers. Working as part of the TTW teams (in Broadmeadows and Frankston) and the MCT (in Epping) they will establish and maintain referral pathways and relationships with local training providers (particularly learn local partners for each site and local TAFE), other service providers, local government, community organisations, other agencies or volunteer mentors so that participating young people get access to high quality activities and services. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Teamwork and Accountability work collaboratively within teams to achieve common goals demonstrate a commitment to the Brotherhood s quality framework and culture by participating in and promoting quality actions through continual improvement activities in collaboration with the manager, set goals and objectives to ensure outcomes are met model the Brotherhood values and adhere to the Code of Ethical Behaviour in everyday work practices Page 3 of 7

4 maintain a safe work environment and ensure steps are taken to prevent unsafe work practices in accordance with Brotherhood policies and procedures. 2. Program Delivery Work with young people to help them identify their education and employment goals and to develop and co-design their Student Learning and Achievement Plan Undertake a Language, Literacy, Numeracy (LLN) Assessment with each young person to identify their learning skills and any gaps or learning support needs Provide vocational guidance tailored to the young person s goals Connect young people to specialist agencies through warm referral and ensure support and follow-up with agencies to track progress and uptake Arrange face to face appointments (at least monthly) and conduct other follow up with young people regularly (at least fortnightly) to ensure engagement Track participation and uptake, review progress and goals, seek feedback on activities and referrals and update plans as required Develop and facilitate activities, workshops or other events to assist young people to engage and achieve their goals Facilitate young people s access to volunteering, work experience, work tasters, TAFE tasters or other learning opportunities depending on needs/goals Address participation and retention issues as they arise, including liaising with and supporting trainers in working effectively with young people including support in the classroom where necessary Support and deliver activities at outreach sites or in other local agencies/services to encourage new young people to join the Reconnect program Maintain accurate, complete and timely records of young people participating in the Reconnect program Support the day-to-day operations of the Reconnect program to ensure annual operating plans, milestones and key performance indicators are achieved Support and maintain a culture of service excellence ensuring respectful engagement with participating young people and a focus on young person strengths and capabilities. 3. Program Quality, Improvement and Innovation Ensure activities and referral pathways are tailored to meet the individual needs of every young person taking into account cultural or religious diversity, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, disability, LGBTI or other needs Provide expert advice to local Brotherhood programs on access of and retention in vocational education and training programs for young people deemed to be at risk of disengagement Keep current with local labour market and trends Ensure that data is collected entered accurately and in a timely fashion into the VETtrack database in order to adhere to compliance requirements by the Department of Education and Training and to support the efficiency and effectiveness of the program Ensure all relevant policies and procedures are implemented and adhered to including the complaints handling procedures and methods for responding to critical incidents Page 4 of 7

5 Ensure young people are aware of and encouraged to provide regular feedback on the service they receive Regularly review feedback from young people and participating agencies to identify opportunities for service improvement Provide input to monthly reports to the Reconnect Compliance Officer in line with reporting requirements Connect young people to the right opportunities, resources, people and places to develop their skills and capabilities, address any non-vocational barriers and achieve the goals identified in their Student Learning and Achievement Plans Assist in identifying ways to capture, communicate and share innovative ideas and practices Adhere to the Brotherhood s administrative and financial systems, policies and procedures Assist with monitoring and maintaining records of expenditure within the program Support the monitoring and management risk and OHS systems. 4. Partnership and Stakeholder Relations Support the work of Reconnect and related programs of TTW and MCT in maintaining strong relationships both within the Brotherhood and with external stakeholders Liaise with appropriate local services and programs to promote Reconnect and encourage uptake by young people Support networks and relationships that lead to educational, volunteering and employment opportunities for young people. 5. Personal and Team Effectiveness Work effectively as part of a supportive and cohesive team and participate in teamwork to enhance the delivery of services to young people, including the orientation and intergration of new staff to the program Achieve individual or group targets that contribute to the overall performance targets for the Reconnect program and for related programs run by Youth Transitions and MCT as agreed with the manager and review these with the manager at least quarterly Contribute towards effective team communication and client outcomes by working professionally and cooperatively with all staff and co-located teams Participate in performance management planning and appraisal processes in which service objectives and professional development needs are discussed and determined Promote and adhere to the Brotherhood s core values and code of ethical behaviour. 6. Multi-Skilling The incumbent may be directed to carry out such duties as are within the level of the position and scope of the incumbent s competence and training as directed by the manager. DUTY STATEMENT Please note that this position also has a duty statement attached to it that sets out the role s responsibilities in ensuring compliance with Skills Victoria funding accountabilities and requirements, VRQA guidelines and AQTF standards. ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS Internal Stakeholders Employees within the Reconnect Program and the Brotherhood s Registered Training Organisation (RTO), Page 5 of 7

6 members of co-located teams including Transition to Work (Frankston and Broadmeadows), Youth Transitions Support Pilot (Hume), MCT EPYAS and ReSource Programs (Epping), the Work and Learning Division s Given the Chance Programs, Work and Learning Centres and the Research and Policy Centre External Stakeholders Young people and their families, learn local partner organisations, local specialist agencies, local government, local employers, local networks and working groups and other agencies and community service organisations. KEY SELECTION CRITERIA Essential Demonstrated experience in successfully supporting disadvantaged people to engage in training, and/or secure sustainable employment, and/or participate in work experience or volunteering including providing encouragement, case work support and career planning and guidance. Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to successfully build and maintain constructive relationships with young people from diverse backgrounds. Experience in learning/training and community development, in particular for young people. Demonstrated administrative, record keeping and writing skills with the ability to maintain accurate and timely records of engagement with clients. Demonstrated ability to work independently and effectively within a team and with delivery partners to ensure a collaborative approach to helping young people to achieve their goals. Demonstrated knowledge and competency in Microsoft programs and the effective use of client record databases. Knowledge of Victoria s Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector including accredited and pre-accredited training. Understanding of, and empathy with, the values and ideals of the Brotherhood. Desirable Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Current Victorian Driver s Licence. MANDATORY EMPLOYMENT CRITERIA Proof of eligibility to work in Australia is required A satisfactory Police Check is required. The Brotherhood will facilitate this process A Working with Children Check is required for this position. The Brotherhood will facilitate this process. Page 6 of 7

7 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I, Insert Name, have read and accept the Position Description as stated above. I acknowledge the description of the position is an outline and guide to the duties of the professional activities needed to undertake the position successfully. I understand that a review of the position description may occur and it may be amended from time to time as organisational needs change. Changes to the position description will be consistent with the purpose for which the position was established. Manager Signature Date Employee Signature Date Page 7 of 7