Case Worker. STELAR Program Manager. Lentara UnitingCare

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1 POSITION DESCRIPTION Position title Program area Reports to Supervises Award / Certified Agreement Classification Case Worker Student/Teacher Emotional Literacy and Resilience (STELAR) Project STELAR Program Manager Nil Social, Community, Homecare & Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (SCHADS) - Level 5 Lentara UnitingCare Lentara UnitingCare (Lentara) is a Uniting Church community service agency that has over 100 years of experience in providing a wide range of services to children, families and individuals primarily in the Northern and Western Suburbs of Melbourne. Lentara provides a range of community services including Emergency Relief, Financial Counselling, services for Asylum Seekers, Family Services, Community Development, Early Childhood Services, social enterprises and a number of Bargain Centres. Employees are encouraged to embrace the diversity of our local communities. Our Mission Our mission is creating opportunities for children, families and individuals to flourish in a fair and generous community. Our Values Our values and guiding behaviours underpin how we treat each other, our service users and the communities that we serve. Our values are: Respect I will embrace diversity and value the beliefs, contributions and opinions of all I will treat others as I like to be treated I will endeavour at all times to be welcoming to everyone I am in contact with I will treat all people with courtesy, politeness and kindness I will never insult people, name call, disparage or put people down or their ideas Integrity. I will demonstrate ethical behaviour and act honestly at all times I will act in a fair and reasonable manner I will reflect upon my own behaviours and the impact these have on others I will seek feedback about my behaviours and actions in an endeavour to improve I will do the right thing even when no-one is looking Collaboration I will work together with all stakeholders to achieve common goals I will be an active participant in the Lentara team I will acknowledge the efforts and achievements of others I will always communicate in a way that demonstrates respect and honesty Compassion I will endeavour to understand every persons point of view I will listen without judging I will consistently show empathy I will put the needs of my clients at the forefront of everything I do I will care for my colleagues and clients

2 At Lentara we: affirm cultural diversity show compassion for the vulnerable encourage people to value and use their strengths advocate on behalf of those who are disadvantaged challenge inequity and injustice and work for social change. The services of Lentara are provided to all people irrespective of cultural background, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion or disability. Lentara is committed to ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of children, families and individuals. Location The principal workplace location for this position is based at Sunshine. This position will also be required to work from various Primary Schools in the Brimbank Municipality. Position Summary STELAR (Student/Teacher Emotional Literacy and Resilience) is an early intervention program which aims to develop resilience and emotional literacy skills among vulnerable children from highly disadvantaged communities. STELAR aims to address the growing concern of educators who often struggle to secure services for large numbers of students requiring access to mental health and support services. STELAR will be delivered on a consistent daily basis at an affordable cost, utilising proven methods delivered via a multi-platform technology method, designed to engage children. Preventative mental health and improved educational development derived from this approach will deliver significant long term outcomes. STELAR Case Workers will deliver an early intervention model working in a cluster of primary schools supporting disadvantaged and vulnerable students to achieve the following: Build emotional resilience skills in children utilising proven methods delivered via a multiplatform technology method designed to engage the child; and Provide training for educators in participating schools and case management support for students and families focussed on a child s mental health. Key Responsibilities and Duties The primary functions of this role will include: Identification of children assessed as being appropriate for this program; Provision of ongoing support of participating children and families where needed including the facilitation of referrals to mental health professionals; Become the main link between school staff and the STELAR Program; and Facilitation of professional development workshops.

3 Community and Interagency Relations Represent Lentara in a professional manner at each session, meeting, and/or workshop attended Provide guidance to project team and management Professional Standards / Development Demonstrate effective time management to achieve established goals and objectives. Provide reports to Management Adhere to professional standards Maintain working knowledge of legislative and regulatory requirements of the program Ensure quality products and services are offered to participants Undertake a personal professional development program that continually improves educational expertise and maintains currency and industry/discipline both in practice and licensing requirements. Communication Provide support to children, parents and staff in a timely manner Provide the Program team and/or line manager with appropriate recommendations in writing and follow up requirements Leadership and Teamwork Follow contractual requirements and prioritise to achieve targets Actively participate in meetings as required Service Delivery Conduct assessments of children in relation to mental health needs Record recommendations Consult with Lentara staff prior to recommendations being actioned. Compliance Ensure all recommendations comply with Lentara s contractual requirements KEY SELECTION CRITERIA Mandatory Requirements Current National Police Record Check Current Working With Children s Card (WWCC) Current Australian Drivers Licence Professional Experience Minimum Diploma qualification in a related field (Welfare Studies) or similar Well-developed casework skills including an ability to utilise strength based, child centered approach to case management. Demonstrated experience in working with vulnerable children and families with complex needs regarding individual and group program delivery. Proven skills in networking and working in partnership with families and agencies to strengthen relationships and improve problem solving capabilities.

4 Key Knowledge Areas, Personal Experience and Attributes Strong verbal and written communication skills Good negotiation skills Good interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to manage stakeholder relationships Ability to work well both autonomously and as part of a team Experience working within a mental health or school setting Sound understanding of local service sector Must be proficient with MS Office (Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint) and have experience in using an online database Self-motivation and efficient organisational and time management skills Values driven Additional Information Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S): All employees are required to carry out their duties in a manner that does not adversely affect their own health and safety and that of others by reporting all hazards, incidents and injuries as well as co-operating with any measures introduced in the workplace to improve OH&S as per the OH&S Act 2004, OH&S policies, procedures and guidelines. Pre-existing injury: Before any person can be appointed to this position it is a requirement that they disclose any pre-existing injuries or disease that might be affected by employment in this position. Client Safeguards and Wellbeing: In providing quality service provision, Lentara complies with the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 to ensure the rights and wellbeing of every individual are recognized, respected, protected and fulfilled. Keeping Children Safe We are a child safe organisation. All volunteer and remunerated employees are required to: Observe our Keeping Children Safe Policies and procedures Engage and follow strategies to actively ensure the safety, protection and well-being of children who come into association with us. Equal opportunity: Lentara is an equal opportunity employer. All staff have a responsibility to be familiar with the Harassment, Discrimination and Workplace Bullying Policy and have knowledge and understanding of the principles of anti-discrimination and equal opportunity and the ability to interpret and uphold these principals and standards into practice. Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI): All employees will contribute to Lentara s Quality Management System to ensure compliance with relevant standards and the principles of quality improvement by continually monitoring, evaluating and improving both individual and service / program performance. Salary packaging is available to all staff.

5 Relationship to Career Development and Review This position description operates in conjunction with and forms part of the annual review and career development process. An initial review will take place at the end of the induction and probationary period. Position Incumbent I have read and understood the position description. I acknowledge that the description of the role is an outline and guide the necessary tasks of the range of professional activities needed to undertake the role, successfully. I understand that an annual review of the position description may occur and 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. Employee Name Employee Signature Date Manager Name Manager Signature Date