Inner Western suburbs, with daily travel to Sunshine Court and other sites as required.

Transcription

1 Position: EFT: Reports to: Role Purpose: Internal Relationships: External Relationships: Remuneration: Location Base: Court Support 4 Kids Worker Part time, 22.8 hours per week/3 days per week Head of Projects To provide diversionary play opportunities in the Magistrates Court settings for children who are accompanying their mothers completing family violence related matters. The Court Support 4 Kids (CS4K)Worker will be required to work closely with: McAuley Children s Worker RMIT Evaluation team Fundraising and Communications Head of Projects The CS4K Worker will be required to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including: Sunshine Court staff Court Support services Victorian Police CS4K workers in other courts The position is classified as SCHCADS 4, level to be negotiated commensurate with experience. Salary packaging available. Inner Western suburbs, with daily travel to Sunshine Court and other sites as required. Position Description Court Support 4 Kids Worker January

2 ORGANSIATIONAL OVERVIEW Service Mission Vision Values McAuley Community Services for Women, is a ministry of the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea: Family Violence (McAuley Care Program) A 24-hour safe house and children's program providing accommodation and support for women and their children who have experienced family violence, established in Homelessness (McAuley House Program) A medium term community accommodation for women who have experienced homelessness and mental illness, established in Employment (McAuley Works Program) An innovative program designed to assist women to re-enter/enter the workforce after experiencing homelessness and/or family violence. McAuley Community Services for Women is a ministry of the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea, impelled by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and enriched by the spirituality of Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy. Our mission is to provide accommodation, services, advocacy and support for homeless women, and women and their accompanying children, who experience family violence. Through our service, McAuley Community Services for Women is committed to advocate for a better, safer and just society. McAuley Community Services for Women is committed to: Hospitality Compassion Justice Community In our daily encounters we offer women the opportunity for empowerment in their lives. Position Description Court Support 4 Kids Worker January

3 CORE COMPETENCIES EXPECTATIONS 1. Seeing the Big Picture Understands how own role supports organisational vision, values and goals Knowledge of full range of McAuley Services & Programs Knowledge of homelessness and family violence sector Participates in Continuous Improvement for sustainable outcomes 2. Client Focus Contributes to continuity of care Provides high quality integrated services and programs Co-operates with others across and outside the organisation Ensures compliance through policies and procedures to minimise risk 3. Engaging People Communicates with clarity, conviction and respect Contributes to integrative teamwork and/or Leadership Values input and contribution from others Builds strong networks and collaborative partnerships 4. Reflective Practice Effectively manages self and priorities to carry out assigned work safely Participates in regular supervision and team meetings using a strengths based approach Reflects on own strengths and areas for development Seeks and provides evidence based feedback Position Description Court Support 4 Kids Worker January

4 JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES RESPONSIBILITIES Service Provision a. Identify and approach children attending Sunshine Court with their mothers and offer the opportunity and resources to engage the children in distractive play b. Offer age appropriate activities and resources to children to minimise the impact of family violence c. Respond to any disclosures of child abuse in line with agency policy and best practice d. Provide referrals to specialist children s services if requested by mothers e. Encourage women to access suitable support through local specialist family violence agencies f. Prioritise the physical and emotional safety of children in any engagement g. Work collaboratively and supportively with McAuley Court Support volunteer(s) h. Work collaboratively with Court staff to minimise risk and ensure the best possible experience for women and their children when attending Court i. Provide service according to the Direct Practice Competencies, in particular competency no 1 Understanding Family Violence & Homelessness and competency no 2 Family Centred Practice. (Direct Practice Competencies will be provided to candidates prior to interview). Risk Management and Compliance Administration and Data Collection Community Relations and Advocacy a. Identify, manage and evaluate risks to the personal safety of women, children, and Volunteers accessing the CS4k program. b. Identify and manage any reputational risk to the C S4K program. c. Ensure service policies and procedures are followed according to the risk management framework. d. Ensure that children s toys meet safety standards and are age appropriate, conducting regular audits of toys and resources. e. Keep abreast of Child Safe standards and champion these within the organisation f. Provide service according to the Direct Practice Competencies, in particular competency no 6 Risk Management and Compliance. a. Collect data, and keep accurate and up to date records and data entry b. Produce monthly program reports and contribute to annual evaluation report. a. Build and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders, particularly Sunshine Court Registrars b. Attend Court User s network meetings c. Act as an advocate for and represent McAuley and its services to create awareness of Family Violence and its impact on women and their children d. Provide service according to the Direct Practice Competencies, in particular competency no 3 Teamwork and competency no 7 Self-Management. Position Description Court Support 4 Kids Worker January

5 KEY SELECTION CRITERIA Please address each of these in your application Essential Requirements 1. A tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Early Childhood Education or related discipline 2. Substantial demonstrated experience working directly with children of all ages 3. Demonstrated experience working with women and children experiencing Family Violence 4. Highly developed interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills 5. Experience in working within a strengths based and trauma informed framework 6. Experience in risk management including client and staff safety, confidentiality and duty of care 7. A capacity and ability to demonstrate McAuley Community Services for Women s Direct Practice Competencies with relevant evidence/examples. (A copy of our Competencies and standards will be provided upon application). 8. An understanding of, and commitment to, the operations of the McAuley Community Services for Women and the organisation s philosophy and core values. 9. Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and maintaining program data on a relevant computer based program or database. 10. Current working with Children s Check. Preferred Requirements 1. Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills 2. Knowledge of attachment theory and an understanding of how attachment and separation anxiety may affect the children in a court setting 3. Knowledge of the Family Violence Protection Act 2008, the Child Protection protocols and Child Safe Standards (2016 Victoria) 4. Understanding of the Magistrates Court system and how it operates 5. Demonstrated background or training in working with clients with complex needs, including family Violence, alcohol, drugs, and / or mental illness 6. Experience and knowledge of working with and mentoring volunteers. Position Description Court Support 4 Kids Worker January

6 CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT This position is offered on a probationary period of 6 months in accordance with the Fair Work Act Regular supervision will be required and Annual Performance review will take place 12 months post commencement date. This position description will be regularly updated in accordance with the developing needs of the organisation. Occasional out of hours work may be required. Current Victorian Driver s Licence. National Name Check required. Current Working with Children s Check. All McAuley Community Services for Women s employees are required to: o Comply with all McAuley Community Services for Women s policies and procedures o Comply with all Occupational Health and Safety legislation and regulation o Comply with all other Commonwealth and State legislation relevant to the organisation o Uphold and enhance the reputation of McAuley Community Services for Women o Maintain the highest standards of integrity and behaviour in line with McAuley Community Services for Women s Code of Conduct and undertakes identified training and professional development activities/programs. Please forward your application addressing the Key Selection Criteria to Mary Bartlett at recruitment@mcauleycsw.org.au. Applications close 5.00pm February 2, Position Description Court Support 4 Kids Worker January