Position Description Lead Worker Families & Middle Years Young People

Transcription

1 At the City of Port Phillip we aim to put our community first. Community First is a mindset that we bring to everything we do. It encourages us to look through the eyes of community, work collaboratively across the organisation and with our community, to improve outcomes, value for money and service. The City of Port Phillip celebrates a vibrant and diverse work environment and community, which includes people of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background, people of diverse sexual orientation and gender, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and people of varied age, health, socio-economic status, faith and spirituality. Employees are able to develop both professionally and personally whilst planning and delivering a range of important services and programs to the community. Our Community First organisational strategy aims to strengthen our focus on delivering Council s vision: Engaged A well governed city Healthy A healthy, creative & inclusive city Resilient A strong, innovative and adaptive city Vibrant A liveable and connected city Community First is a whole of organisation approach that sets out how we deliver the Council Plan and Council s key strategic priorities. As part of our commitment to being an organisation that puts the community first, we have agreed to focus on the following priorities: 1. Enterprise Portfolio Management 2. Great Places and Precincts 3. Continuous Improvement 4. Aligned Organisational Culture and Capability 5. Good Governance Family Youth & Children Department Vision City of Port Phillip is a community where all families, young people and children achieve their full potential. Department Goals 1: Integrated service response 2: Positively influence health and wellbeing outcomes for families, young people and children. 3: Address inequality, affordability and accessibility issues for families, young people and children.

2 POSITION TITLE: AWARD CLASSIFICATION: Band 6, DEPARTMENT: DIVISION: Family Youth & Children Community Development DATE APPROVED: October 2016 APPROVED BY: Manager Family Youth & Children ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS: REPORTS TO: SUPERVISES: INTERNAL LIAISONS: EXTERNAL LIAISONS: LOCATION: Youth & Middle Years Services Coordinator (This role sits within the Youth & Middle Years Unit) Volunteers, student placements, casual staff as appropriate Council Officers from various Departments, Councillors Families, young people and their stakeholders (teachers, friends) Community members and general public, community groups and local sector representatives, State and Federal Government Departments Service Providers, Consultants, Professional Bodies This role is based at a number of sites, primarily the St Kilda Adventure Playground (off Napier Street) and South Melbourne Skinners Adventure Playground (on Dorcas Street), and other locations including but not limited to Family Centres, Community Centres and Children s Centres as required. POSITION OBJECTIVES The young people delivers generalist support to middle years young people (8 to 11 years) and their families and sits within the Youth & Middle Years Services Unit, and is part of the Family Youth & Children Department. This new role requires a highly motivated self-starter, with integrity, strong problem solving and initiative who can provide quality services to deliver positive health and wellbeing outcomes. The three main objectives of the role are focussed on a generalist family support role (noting that our Family Support team currently deliver specific ChildFIRST responses to families and this role serves a different function): Direct Service Delivery Working collaboratively with both internal and external service providers, deliver generalist support to families and middle years young people (8 to 11 year olds) through assessments, appropriate referrals and case management as necessary (short-to-medium term). This includes the proactive engagement of families to help build their capacity and access other services, programs and activities

3 across the municipality, as well as providing complimentary services and information resources and sessions to build the capacity of parents. Service Planning and Development Early stages of this role is focused on the development of the service, involving the review and development the processes and procedures, and establishing networks and relationships for referral and support. This also includes establishing operational guidelines to support direct service delivery with a focus on integrated service systems, and building the capacity of others to initiate appropriate intake and assessment. Ongoing, this role serves an important function in communicating evolving needs of families and middle years young people and will contribute to the integrated service development of the Department. This includes collecting and sharing advice, data as evidence and strong evaluation and reporting. Specialist liaison and advocate Provide guidance and specialist advice on families, middle years young people and contemporary practice in service provision to multiple stakeholders, internal and external. As a specialist in a generalist role, provide education and skill building through sharing knowledge, developing resources and training for internal and external stakeholders (such as information sessions and practice workshops) KEY RESPONSIBILITY AND DUTIES Direct Service Delivery Provide proactive generalist support for families across the municipality, aligned to current policy, Council priorities and Department Plan, and in line with organisational business requirements (such as finance, reporting, risk) Provide case work as required, to contemporary best practice and OH&S standards Promote, attend, facilitate and/or and participate in programs that are appropriate to meet the outcomes of the role, such as Parent Information sessions Collaborate with other services for the best outcomes for middle years young people and/or their families. Offer timely and appropriate response to the local needs of families and middle years young people, including referrals to other local services, programs and activities, and access to material and food aid as appropriate. Service Planning and Development Review and develop the processes and procedures including operation guidelines. Update annually (at least) through the Continuous Improvement Process. Contribute to the Middle Years and Youth Services Continuous Improvement model and evaluation process, including reporting, effective communications and advocacy opportunities Analyse and translate data and information through the Continuous Improvement model to identify current and future service planning needs, and identify strategies to meeting these needs in line with contemporary best practice and the latest sector knowledge Specialist liaison and advocate

4 Facilitate an appropriate response to key issues that arise in the City of Port Phillip related to families and/ or middle years young people Establish and maintain strong relationships and networks with key stakeholders within the relevant sectors (such as youth services, education, housing/ homelessness, employment) at a local, regional and state level as appropriate to operations, policy and contemporary practice context for CoPP s services, including facilitation and leadership of appropriate networks meetings and events Proactively participate, lead and advise internal stakeholders on the needs, development, culture, and engagement of both families and middle years young people to inform current and future priorities of Council Support others working with families and provide debrief and co-case management support for colleagues working within the integrated service model Safely work within family friendly and youth friendly times to ensure a clear understanding of the needs, trends and engagement of families and middle years young people including as required, after-hours and weekend work. ACCOUNTABILITY AND EXTENT OF AUTHORITY This position is required to engage with other existing service providers, both those funded by the City of Port Phillip and external to this network, to enable referrals and links to other programs and opportunities. While working closely with the Youth & Middle Years Services team, particularly those at the Adventure Playgrounds, this role has a high level of autonomy and requires initiative to achieve the key outcomes.. The role is interconnected with multiple sectors, including the local youth sector, education and family support and plays a pivotal role in addressing the specific support needs of families and middle years young people, including shaping and monitoring these networks across the municipality. This position will report in to, and advocate for, the local Education Engagement Partnership (EEP) initiative, and other relevant support networks as directed. Manage volunteers and student placements as required to contribute to pathways and opportunities for skill development and experience in the sector. JUDGMENT AND DECISION MAKING This role is responsible for Council s response to generalist family needs and developing the middle year s sector response across the municipality, in conjunction with others. This position has a community-based profile and will represent Council in regards to families and middle year s young people services across a number of settings. It is therefore fundamental that the role balances the needs of these groups within the community context and that decisions and actions are based on this public representation. Supervision for this role is provided by the Youth & Middle Years Services Coordinator, with support and consultation from the Youth Services & Middle Years Leadership

5 team, which includes the Team Leaders of the two CoPP Adventure Playgrounds at which this role will be based. SPECIALIST SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE This position will directly contribute to the delivery of Council s Middle Years Commitment and Action Plan, and as appropriate, the Youth Services Commitment and Action Plan. The role is therefore designed to also address the CoPP Family, Youth and Children Strategy Sound, contemporary knowledge and understanding of support services for families and/or children and young people using strength-based practice (CoPP uses the Developmental Assets framework), and Experience in delivering support services to families and/or children and young people (as well as program and project management), including planning, continuous improvement and evaluation A collaborative approach to service delivery and outcomes Understanding of the developmental and cultural needs of families and children /young people and how strong connections to their community helps build resilience. Relevant tertiary qualifications and significant experience working with families and/or children and young people is a requirement for this role. Ongoing training, refreshers, and initiatives will ensure a contemporary approach to practice in working with families and children/young people in Port Phillip. Development and implementation of the operational guidelines will be an initial component of this role. Ongoing review of these guidelines to ensure contemporary practice and safety within an integrated service model is an expectation. MANAGEMENT SKILLS High ability to manage own time, plan & organise own work. Regular supervision practice is provided. Work collaboratively with the Youth & Middle Years Services team (internal), other Council Departments (internal), and other service providers (external). Balance the needs and requests of all stakeholders to achieve the outcomes required for the role, particularly the ability to juggle priorities amongst multiple groups or individuals. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY Understand and comply with, the Council OH&S Policy, procedures and legislative requirements relevant to the position. Take responsibility for individual / own health and safety and that of others in the workplace. This includes the reporting of incidents involving injury and near misses. Communicate with employee health and safety representatives and supervisors about OH&S matters. Proactively report any unsafe workplace practices and/or hazards and suggest injury prevention measures.

6 Participate in regular training programs to improve awareness of risk management and health and safety within the workplace. Perform work in a safe and appropriate manner at all times. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS Excellent rapport building with a diverse range of people. Exceptional networking skills to build a comprehensive referral and support base for families and middle years young people High level verbal skills and personal presentation relevant to the key audiences associated with this role, including willingness to wear uniforms applicable to the team. Ability to liaise with multiple stakeholders and promote cooperation and build a positive culture. Strong written skills to be able to translate data and findings into evaluation reporting in an engaging manner. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Mandatory Qualifications Tertiary qualification in a social science, ideally social work or similar Current First Aid is required Desired Qualifications (not mandatory) Counselling qualification Youth Mental Health First Aid training Experience Significant experience in family/ youth/ children support is required for this role, particularly experience in engaging these groups within a community setting. Licences (Mandatory) A current Police Check and Working With Children check prior to commencing the role Victorian Drivers Licence KEY SELECTION CRITERIA 1. Holds a relevant tertiary qualification in a social science, such as Social Work, Youth Work (with a families stream), psychology, plus a current First Aid qualification, and Victorian Drivers Licence. Additional qualifications in counselling and/or Youth Mental Health First Aid would be well regarded (but not mandatory). 2. Knowledge and demonstrated experience of the principles and practices (frameworks) of providing generalist support services to families, young people and/ or children and within a community development context 3. Demonstration of innovative, creative and strength based practice to effectively engage families and children/ young people in informal settings in a safe and constructive manner.

7 Further evidence of experience in also providing individual support such as case work will be well regarded. 4. Strong interpersonal skills relating to working in partnerships and building strong networks for the benefit of young people. Comprehensive knowledge of the relevant sectors and services available to families and young people. 5. High ability to work autonomously (demonstrated trustworthiness and initiative), and also as part of a team including role modelling and skill and capacity building (collaborative practice and shared success). 6. A positive, proactive approach to delivering quality services, which includes a willingness and enthusiasm to work part of the role within family friendly and youth friendly hours including some after-hours and weekend work (to be negotiated with the successful applicant).