INFORMATION PACK: Casual Worker (Tamworth Youth Refuge) Dear Applicant, Tamworth Family Support Service (TFSS) is looking for Casual Workers. The role is to work with young people at risk of or experiencing homelessness. The service provides early intervention, residential and transitional support and supervision of young people in a refuge environment 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our Youth Refuge is located in Tamworth. All staff are valued and respected, and are presented with genuine opportunities to develop their full potential. TFSS also recognises the importance of a healthy work/life balance, and you will enjoy some flexibility in your working hours if required. Included in this package you will find a single set of documents relevant to the case worker positions: Position/Job Description Selection/Essential Criteria Please return your application(s) to: Or by email to: Corporate Services Manager Tamworth Family Support Service P.O. Box 1088 TAMWORTH NSW 2340 info@tfss.com.au Please ensure that you include the following in your application(s): Your up to date resume, including three recent referees A document titled Selection Criteria outlining how you meet each of the selection/essential criteria for these positions. Selection for interview will be based on: 1. Applicants returning both of the above documents, and, 2. Applicants satisfactorily meeting each of the essential/selection criteria. CONTACT PERSON: Peter Johnston, Corporate Services Manager Tel: 6763 2305 Mobile: 0407 164 072 CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 4:00 pm on Wednesday, 16 th July, 2014.
POSITION DESCRIPTION Case Worker Youth (Homelessness) Casual Workers Position Title: Position Status: Responsible to: Program: Location: Case Worker Youth (Homelessness) May include weekend and night work. Casual work no guaranteed or fixed hours per week Team Leader Youth Refuge Youth Refuge Tamworth Relevant Awards: Social, Community, Home Care, and, Disability Services Industry Award. Award Classification: Social & Community Services Employee Level 2 (Pay Point 2). Depending on qualifications and experience. Remuneration: As per award $27.68 per hour (casual rate). Requirements: Current driver s licence Comprehensively insured vehicle Satisfactory Working with Children Check Possession of or progress towards a tertiary degree in Social Work, or a minimum of Diploma level qualifications in Community Services, Youth or Welfare, with a focus on case management. Objective: To work with young people mainly aged 12-25 who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness. To assist clients to work within a Case Management Framework and to encourage them to explore alternatives and options which promote skills in problem solving, assertiveness and selfreliance. This role requires a solid understanding of and ability to work with the issues that confront Aboriginal families when working with mainstream organisations. Liaises With: Homelessness Services Manager, Team Leader (Youth Refuge), Team Leader (Women & Children s Refuge), Case Workers (Youth), Youth Workers, Case Workers, Casual Workers, Administrators, and other government and nongovernment service providers. Page 2 of 7
Duties and Responsibilities: Team Participation & Work Management Relationships Contribute to the ongoing development of a dynamic, creative and cohesive team. This team consists of people from diverse backgrounds and skills and will include Aboriginal and non-aboriginal personnel. Contribute to the development of solid, equitable and honest relationships that support a strong team approach and to maintain a strong work ethic in personal efficiency and effectiveness at all times. Ensure that TFSS Inc organisational philosophy, values and model are implemented. Use supervision, professional development and TFSS performance accountability processes to enhance outcomes for youth. Support Team Leader in developing strong collaborative partnerships and clear protocols with agencies. Promote working relationships that are based on equality. Undertake regular consultation with staff working in related areas (both within and outside) the service to ensure effective community networks and linkages. Program Outcomes Provide case work and services to youth experiencing homelessness and/or imminent risk of homelessness, enabling clients to address their individual issues, concerns and overcome common barriers. Contribute to the development of appropriate planning and accountability processes. Contribute to the development of project specific evaluative processes as required. Collect program data and contribute to using the data to improve the service to youth and to develop more efficient and effective practices. Actively encourage clients and ex clients to participate in decisions about the operation of the service on a day to day basis and also on issues relating to the long term goals of the service. Service Delivery All staff are to work towards the youth refuge being a non-sexist, non-violent, non-racist and conflict free environment which encourages creative resolution to conflict whilst offering alternatives to young people by role modelling skills such as problem solving, negotiation and conflict resolution strategies. Ensure that services are accessible and appropriate to families experiencing disadvantage. Use best practice interagency case management processes for all clients. Provide equitable service delivery. Ensure that young people are given PRIORITY of service when allocating tasks, however other tasks e.g.: clerical duties, follow-up etc must also be done and it is the responsibility of the individual worker to assess her involvement in all these cases and contribute appropriately. Act as an advocate on behalf of young people using the service and offer support where appropriate. Cultural Sensitivity Ensure that the service is provided with particular sensitivity to the individual and cultural needs of all clients. Page 3 of 7
Case Work Develop and Implement case management plans and have a genuine commitment to young people. Advocacy and support to address legal, financial, counselling, group work, tenancy, emergency relief and other support needs. Follow comprehensive risk assessment and safety plans approved by the Team Leader Youth Refuge. Documentation of client case plans, and keep appropriate, sensitive and accurate client case notes. Assist youth develop skills such through structured programs of work in and around the refuge eg. cooking, cleaning and budgeting. Enhance self-esteem. Coping skills and stress management. Improved cultural awareness. Basic Counselling. Compliance with any legislative requirements. Accountability Accept professional supervision from the Team Leader. Maintain client records and statistical data as required. Work within and abide by all policies, practices and guidelines of Tamworth Family Support Inc including KTS and Mandatory Reporting. Attend team meetings as requested. Perform any other duties as required by Team Leader or Homelessness Services Manager Have a clear understanding of confidentiality and privacy issues pertinent to service users and the org n. To recognise and monitor job stress and personal needs as a worker and take active responsibility for your own well being in the workplace. Professional Development & Training To attend relevant training and professional development as required. To attend team meetings or casework supervision meetings as required. Identify and discuss training needs with the Homelessness Services Manager and have training approved Provide in-house training to other Tamworth Family Support Service Staff at the completion of training attended outside the service. Attend as directed, and actively participate in work related conferences, meetings and training courses some of which may be outside the local area and require overnight stays. Actively participate in a service evaluation and also staff appraisals: review of job descriptions; identify training needs. Child Protection Report to Community Services all cases of suspected risk of harm to children and/or young people. Assist in the reporting and investigation of all relevant issues as prescribed by the NSW Ombudsman. Work within a Legal & Ethical Framework All work must be carried out in accordance with current service policies, procedures, aims and objectives, common law and funding agreement guidelines. All staff to be familiar and conversant and comply with the organisation s and program s policy and procedures. Maintain and ensure strict confidentiality. Be aware of relevant legislation and mandatory obligations on all issues pertaining to young people. In particular Keep Them Safe legislation and initiatives, Interagency Guidelines and refuge workers legal responsibilities for reporting children at risk. Page 4 of 7
Health, Safety & Cleaning Participate in OHS consultation and training as required. Actively promote safe work practices in the workplace. Ensure that youth are not exposed to risks during their stay ta the refuge. Provide and maintain a safe, caring supportive environment that is favourable to the emotional and physical well being of the clients. Report to Team Leader youth Refuge and the Corporate Services Manager any near misses via WHS Hazard Reports, or illnesses and accidents via WHS Incident Reports. As part of a roster, participate in keeping the facilities a neat, clean and tidy workplace for employees and a healthy and safe refuge for the young people in our care. Act as a role model for the young people in regards to personal standards of hygiene and cleanliness Act as a role model around professional behaviour inside and outside the workplace in the community, wherever you can be identified as a worker of TFSS Inc. Other Organisational Requirements Contribute to the promotion of the role of the service through development of promotional material and networking. Participate in meetings and process development and trials for providing integrated service delivery. Work as an active member of the team assisting in other appropriate tasks as required, or as directed from time to time by Team Leader / Case Manager, Homelessness Services Manager or the General Manager. Present a positive image of the organisation, this program to clients and to the broader community. Willingness to take young people grocery shopping to meet the resource needs of the program. Bring to staff meetings and if necessary, to the manager any problems or issues that are/may affect the operation of the service. Ensure the effective maintenance and repair of all property, vehicles and equipment to appropriate standards that reflect the clients needs. Page 5 of 7
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT All TFSS workers are bound by the terms and conditions contained in the TFSS Letter of Offer, the Position Description, the relevant Industrial Award(s), TFSS Policies, Procedures and the TFSS Code of Conduct, as amended and as endorsed by the TFSS Management Committee from time to time. TFSS reserves the right to vary this Position Description at any time in response to the changing needs of the organisation, and the occupant will be required to attend to other duties as directed from time to time by the General Manager. ACCEPTANCE OF POSITION DESCRIPTION & CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT I have read and understood the TFSS Letter of Offer, this Position Description, and the TFSS Code of Conduct and will at all times conduct myself in accordance with the instructions and principles contained within those documents. I understand failure to do so could result in disciplinary processes which may end in termination of employment. TFSS reserves the right to vary this Position Description at any time in response to the changing needs of the organisation, and the occupant will be required to attend to other duties as directed from time to time by the General Manager. Employee s Name Dated Employee s Signature Manager s Name Gen Mgr / Corp Serv Mgr Dated Manager s Signature Page 6 of 7
SELECTION CRITERIA Case Worker Youth (Homelessness) Casual Workers Essential Criteria: 1. Possession of or progress towards a tertiary degree in Social Work, or a minimum of Diploma level qualifications in Community Services, Youth or Welfare, with a focus on case management. 2. Detailed understanding of Child Protection Legislation and Regulation, including knowledge of the NSW Keep Them Safe Initiative. 3. Demonstrated experience or ability to work with, youth experiencing homelessness and exhibiting challenging behaviours. 4. Understanding of cultural issues with the ability to work with minority groups such as those with a non-english speaking background, and Aboriginals. 5. Demonstrated experience in working with multi-disciplinary teams engaged in delivering through the best practice interagency case management model. This includes the ability to establish and maintain productive networks with government and non-government community service providers. 6. Demonstrated ability to use sound professional judgement, and apply initiative within organisational policy and procedures and to be capable of self-direction. 7. Demonstration of high level written skills including the ability to observe, process and report in writing on individual and relationship behaviour in a complete, accurate and timely manner. Advanced clerical and computer skills are required along with knowledge particularly of Microsoft Office 2010 (MS Word, MS Outlook, MS Internet Explorer etc). 8. A valid, unrestricted driver s licence is a requirement of this position. Page 7 of 7