Position Description: Guide - Youth & Family Worker (Youth Crime Prevention 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 We set high standards and we are answerable for our decisions and actions Respect We respect the rights of others and treat others as we would like to be treated Location: Employment Status: Remuneration: Responsible to: Direct reports: Key responsibilities: Overview: 1 Full time + 1 x 0.8 EFT (4 days/week) Both of these positions are based at YSAS in Dandenong but cover the Casey & Dandenong municipalities. Fixed term contract until 30 June Some weekends and after hours will be required. Annual salary SCHADS Level 5 (dependant on qualifications and experience) plus 9.5% Employer superannuation and salary packaging. Crime Prevention Partnership Manager NIL Direct Client Service Activities, Referral Networks and Pathways, Administration, Program Development and Evaluation, Compliance and Professional Conduct. 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 to a consortium of partners who will deliver the Crime Prevention Program pilot over two years in the LGA s of Casey, Dandenong and Frankston. In Casey & Dandenong, the program will work with a targeted group of young people aged years, identified by statutory bodies, addressing risk/protective factors through tailored support; delivered by a Guide and a Community of Support using individual and group modalities. 1

2 Primary Purpose: The Youth Crime Prevention Program is expected to achieve a reduction in offending behaviour and recidivism among project participants by: decreasing known crime-related risk factors and increasing protective factors; achieving sustained improvement in engagement in school, training and/or employment; and increasing connectedness with the community. This is a dynamic role that provides intensive therapeutic case work to young people, some family work as well as group based interventions. The role is to act as a key GUIDE to a small case load of young people via establishing trust and rapport; developing an individually tailored support plan to reduce risks related to offending and antisocial behaviour and build resilience. Some after-hours work will be required to meet the needs of young people and families. The role of the Guide is to be practical, useful and tenacious; with the ultimate purpose of helping young people to achieve a positive pro-social identity, reduce their offending and achieve a sense of belonging and connectedness in their communities. To do this, Guides will need to think outside of the square. To achieve this, the YCPP team will be led by a Partnership Manager who will create an authorising environment for innovation and who will encourage the Guides will be creative in how, when and where young people are engaged and supported. Collaboration with initiatives led by consortium partners and other community stakeholders will help to drive the success of the model. Development and maintenance of external professional relationships and partnerships is key in order to negotiate outcomes for clients and their families in areas such as Statutory Services, Education, Employment, Legal services, etc. 2

3 Direct Service Activities Use a range of modalities to build rapport and enhance retention of young people in the program including assertive follow up, home visits, recreation activities, group programs and after hours support Manage a small case load, providing intensive long term therapeutic case work and service co-ordination to young people and their families Provide therapeutic interventions aligned to care plans that address presenting criminogenic risk factors and strengthen protective factors. Conduct comprehensive, holistic, family sensitive and strength based assessments which inform care plans that address presenting needs such as housing, health, safety, education, employment and social activities Actively support and encourage program participants to develop links with other services and/or communities, including comprehensive exit planning Use family inclusive practices to build on young people s external resilience factors. Provision of support and information to young people and their families about issues which are impacting on their wellbeing and which negatively impact on their ability to remain engaged in school, employment or other constructive activities Provide practical and useful crisis responses to young people and families where appropriate Advocate on behalf of young people, in particular with stakeholders within the justice sector Monitor the health and wellbeing of young people and provide or coordinate appropriate support responses as required Facilitate the development of basic life skills for young people Model appropriate behaviour and facilitate positive communication between young people, their families and other community services Young people and their families receive intensive therapeutic interventions and care planning Client data requirements completed within specified timeframes; All program participants have individually tailored support plans Practical support needs are provided to young people to increase their participation in the program such as transport, access to material aid etc Support young people to improve links with communities and other services; Promote a safe and friendly environment in order to facilitate positive communication between young people and other community networks Participate in regular afterhours and weekend work 3

4 Referral Networks and Pathways Provide culturally meaningful and effective service responses to young people, their peers and their families that is mindful of their unique cultural background and experience of life in the Cities Of Greater Dandenong and Casey Facilitate groups for young people as required that align with the youth crime prevention grant objectives in consultation with the consortium or other service providers such as education; universal youth services; other regional programs and initiatives within and external to YSAS Participate in the delivery of programs and initiatives delivered by YSAS (Day/Night Program; Empower Youth; Transformer; One Community) Utility of ERIC (emotional regulation and impulse control) techniques to address offending and antisocial behaviour Other duties as reasonably directed by the Manager from time to time, and which are consistent with your position. Develop and maintain referral networks and pathways with stakeholders (police, courts, legal services, family services, schools, education/ skills providers etc.) Demonstrate professional and ethical communication with all stakeholders Provide information and feedback to stakeholders about the activities of the program on a regular basis. housing, legal, justice, employment/educational and recreational services; Develop and establish collaborative relationships with key stakeholders to enhance service co-ordination; this will include other initiatives and programs in the SMR such as the Victorian Government Social Cohesion project, Empower Youth, and others to be determined Articulate YCP model (ie resilience based case work) with relevant stakeholders Attendance at stakeholder meetings as required/directed Support young people to engage positively with complex legal processes including liaising with legal practitioners and supporting young people at court or through justice orders Engage with young people in custodial settings where appropriate On every occasion YSAS is represented ethically and professionally; Develop and maintain formal/informal networks in order to achieve client focused goals 4

5 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 Adhere to petty cash and client brokerage procedures; Participate in regular supervision with Manager Maintain a high standard of documentation and reporting Data is up to date at all times Program Development and Evaluation Continuous Improvement & Compliance 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 approach Contribute to continuous quality improvement in relation to service delivery Developing linkages with referral services Participation in evaluation and ongoing monitoring of the program 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 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 Ensure all work complies of the relevant legislation/regulations, YSAS policies and procedures and other relevant compliance requirements Incident reports follow YSAS policies & Procedures. 5

6 Professional Conduct and Relationship Management Adhere to all YSAS policies and procedures including the Code of Conduct, Confidentiality Agreement, Child Safe requirements etc Demonstrated commitment to YSAS organisational values & the youth crime prevention objectives 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 Adherence to the code of conduct, child safe legislation etc Work collaboratively with staff across the organisation to ensure organisational needs are understood, recognised and responded to 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; Further study in therapeutic interventions appropriate for young people at risk or engaging in offending behaviour will be an advantage Experience Expertise and/or 5 + years experience in working with young people who are high frequency offenders and their families Previous extensive experience in Community and Youth not-for-profit organisations Knowledge and Skills Personal qualities 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 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 6

7 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) 7

8 Key Selection Criteria 1. 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. 2. Ability to assess (health and well-being, risk situations) and to formulate and implement case plans based in evidence and aligned to Resilience based practice. 3. Superior ability to work within the court and justice system to achieve positive outcomes and diversions for young people. Additionally a demonstrated superior ability to engage families into a positive support role for their children who are involved in complex legal processes 4. Demonstrated superior ability to negotiate and advocate for individual clients (and / or their families) with external agencies and other professionals to achieve practical and meaningful outcomes which support positive pro-social pathways for young people 5. A demonstrated ability and experience of working in group settings with young people and an ability to work in situations that require risk monitoring and the capacity to work with challenging behaviours from young people 6. A demonstrated understanding of contemporary global geo-political events and history which impact on people from new and emerging communities who reside in Casey & Dandenong including a contemporary understanding of the needs of existing vulnerable communities. 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 Worker Crime Prevention Program Name: Date: Crime Prevention Partnership Manager Name: Date: 8