Service Coordinator, I Connect (Family and Mental Health Support Service) Job Description Position Title: Service Coordinator, I Connect (Family & Mental Health Support Service) Location: Bairnsdale, with outreach in Cann River and Orbost Salary: $73,860 - $75,943 + 9.25% Superannuation (pro-rata) RAV Salary Range Level Prof 3.4-3.6 Tenure: Full time permanent (negotiable), subject to ongoing funding Special Conditions: Required to work one evening a week Standard Hours 10am-6pm Access to company vehicle for outreach travel; may require use of private vehicle OUR ORGANISATION Relationships Australia Victoria (RAV) is a leading provider of relationship support services. Our aim is to help Victorians achieve positive and respectful relationships. As a community-based not-for-profit organisation, we have no religious affiliations, and aim to help all members of the community, regardless of their religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, lifestyle choice, cultural background or economic circumstances. POSITION SUMMARY I Connect is a Family Mental Health Support Service funded out of the Federal Government s Targeted Community Care (Mental Health) Program. It is an Early Intervention program offering support for children and young people in a situation where mental health risk factors are emerging. Integrated into RAV s Traralgon Centre, it is physically located at a permanent satellite site in Bairnsdale with service delivery at a number of outreach sites, including schools and home visits. The service provides: Intensive, long term, early intervention support for children and young people and their families based on a Family Action Plan; Short term immediate assistance for families; community outreach, mental health education and community development activities. There is a particular focus on targeting families experiencing, homelessness, unemployment, drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, and a history of trauma; children in contact with the child protection system; young people leaving out of home care; Indigenous Australians; and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The service is: Child and young person centred Family focused Flexible Accessible & Responsive
Works in close partnership with other relevant organisations, departments, statutory authorities and schools Provides an holistic and relational approach to supporting children and young people The I Connect Coordinator is responsible for ensuring service practice is run effectively and efficiently to a very high standard, is culturally sensitive and aligns at all times with the service principles described above. The Coordinator will provide day to day practice direction and support to Case Managers and help facilitate team connections with local community and clinical services. In addition the Coordinator may be required to represent RAV in relevant networks, forums and inter-agency meetings and to assist in community engagement and service promotion. REPORTING Reports to: Manages: Key liaison: External Liaison: Note: Centre Manager, Traralgon Case workers Counsellors, Counselling Practice Leader, other senior clinicians, administrative staff Clients, external stakeholders including other service providers Reporting arrangements may change from time to time depending on business requirements. FOCUS ON VALUES Relationships Australia Victoria is a voice for relationships in the community. We believe that relationships can grow and change. We promote the ideal of equitable, safe, cooperative and nurturing relationships in families, workplaces and social organisations. As a values driven organisation, RAV aims to have organisational values embedded in the functions and systems of the organisation. All RAV employees are required to understand these organisational values, integrate the values into their work and demonstrate behaviours, which reflect the values. At RAV the following values inform the work we do: Respect We respect diversity in its various personal, cultural and gender expressions. We advocate relationships free from judgement, blame and abuse. Integrity We promote justice and equity; endeavour to live our ethical standards consistently within our practice; and make our services as accessible as possible without discrimination or judgement. Transparency We promote open, safe, effective and honest communication at organisational and client levels. Responsibility We value the responsible use of resources people, money, time and technology. All individuals and the organisation have rights, responsibilities and authority, which need to be clearly articulated and respected. High Quality We aim to provide high quality service and maintain the highest professional standards in all aspects of our work. As a part of this process, we foster self-reflection, creativity, innovation and improvement. Keeping an eye on the future, we energetically embrace positive change.
Enrichment and Celebration We seek to enrich our lives and the lives of our clients. We celebrate contributions, achievements and courageous acts of change in relationships. KEY RESULT AREAS 1. To model the organisation s values and play a role in raising the profile of these values and associated behaviours across the organisation. This includes a positive contribution to workplace harmony displaying cooperative team behaviour. 2. Coordinate and oversee the practice work of I Connect Case Managers providing day to day supervision and de-briefing. 3. Be responsible for case allocation and case review. 4. Manage own case load under supervision from the Centre Manager Traralgon. 5. Contribute to establishing and maintaining effective inter-agency collaboration and case management practices. 6. Be responsible for ensuring case notes are maintained in accordance with program guidelines. 7. Be responsible for ensuring reporting data is collected and entered into Client Management System as required. 8. Ensure that the I Connect team works in accordance with RAV and I Connect program guidelines, policies, procedures, and principles, and in particular within RAV s Children s Services Framework and child safe policies and procedures. 9. Work closely with the Centre Manager Traralgon to ensure program targets and outcomes are met. 10. Work closely with the Centre Manager Traralgon to ensure program delivery stays within budget. 11. Other duties as required consistent with the role. KEY SELECTION CRITERIA The recruiting panel will need to feel confident that the successful candidate will understand the organisational values, integrate the values into their work and demonstrate behaviours that reflect the values. In addition, candidates are asked to respond to the following key selection criteria, preferably offering examples from previous roles. Visibly ethical - acting in accordance with professional ethics and the organisation s values. Professional expertise able to demonstrate advanced skills in helping and working with a wide range of children, young people and families at risk of, or affected by mental illness. Communication able to communicate effectively with a diverse range of people, to develop and maintain professional relationships, and share ideas successfully, including reporting succinctly and accurately. Able also to de-escalate strong negative emotion when necessary. Self awareness able to understand self, to appreciate difference, to be culturally sensitive and to build sustainable professional relationships with stakeholders at various levels, encouraging and supporting workplace harmony.
Leadership drawing on professional expertise, able to influence and encourage others to conceptualise and embrace creative solutions to clinical issues. Able to work independently, whilst contributing strongly as a team member. Organisational awareness able to understand the sector, funding bodies, contractual obligations and the organisational strategic direction, and contribute to linking professional practice with organisational outcomes and client satisfaction. Client Service having an ethic of equitable, responsive and appropriate professional service to all clients and an egalitarian approach to male/female relationships as reflected in Australian law. Cultural awareness having a considered appreciation of differences in culture, religion, and sexual orientation and a willingness to work respectfully and flexibly with such differences. Flexibility able to continuously develop and work successfully in a changing environment, accept new challenges and continually strive for improvement. Mandatory KSC: Relevant Tertiary qualifications Significant experience in working with children, young people and families in a setting relevant to the role Knowledge of the development of mental illness, and the risk factors that contribute to the development of mental illness in children and young people Demonstrated experience in working with children and families from a child-centred and strength-based perspective An understanding of childhood development and the impact of adverse life events on children s development Excellent verbal and written communication skills Highly Desirable KSC: Experience as a practice supervisor within an agency setting Familiarity with the child protection system Familiarity with local mental health services Experience in group work, and in working with individuals and families Experience in working with schools and knowledge of education sector Experience in case-management in outreach and regional community settings Experience in inter-agency case management and understanding of the benefits and challenges of integrated service delivery Knowledge of, and capacity to engage with, local community resources Understanding of trauma framework including intergenerational trauma Experience delivering community training and education Experience in working with ATSI and CALD communities Personal qualities: Compassion, patience, ability to empathise and treat people with dignity and respect Genuine commitment to supporting children and young people and a capacity to remain focused on their issues Ability to think and act calmly and deal sensitively with distress, unpredictable behaviour and complex situations, while balancing the right to privacy and confidentiality with duty of care Ability to promote the rights of vulnerable children, young people and families
Effective listening and communication skills, non-judgemental practice and creativity in their approach to problem solving Ability to work flexibly and creatively with families to achieve effective change in an environment where resources and access may be limited Cultural competence A considered appreciation of differences in culture, religion and sexual orientation and a willingness to work respectfully with such differences. Knowledge of when to seek help or supervision and how to work in a team environment Understanding and promotion of mental health issues in the community, and Ability to work safely