Position Description
POSITION TITLE Senior Project Worker, Community Connections DIRECTORATE/SERVICE/PROGRAM Client Services Youth Services
REPORTS TO Team Leader Better Futures Barwon
DIRECT REPORTS Nil
CLASSIFICATION:
BCYF Enterprise Agreement 2019 Level 6
EMPLOYMENT TYPE:
Part Time Fixed Term
LOCATION:
Geelong
ORGANISATIONAL OVERVIEW
Barwon Child Youth & Family’s (BCYF) vision is for ‘a community where people are safe, connected and empowered to live well.’
BCYF is an independent, not-for-profit community service organisation that provides, delivers and develops services, where the need exists, that advance the rights and well-being of children, young people and their families.
BCYF has a breadth of services ranging from prevention and early intervention, to complex care, which are delivered via a significant client services platform. BCYF is also the parent company of its subsidiary ‘BAYSA’, a registered housing provider of a range of accommodation and community support programs.
Governed by a Board of Directors and supported by an experienced leadership team, BCYF employs more than 300 staff and is committed to achieving its strategic priorities of service excellence, social impact and organisational sustainability. BCYF is committed to providing a safe and friendly environment for children and young people.
BCYF is an equal opportunity employer and encourage individuals of diverse backgrounds including but not limited to those from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities or applicants with a lived experience of disability to apply. Reasonable adjustments will be made for people with disabilities where operationally viable.
POSITION PURPOSE
Community Connections delivers a different approach to supporting young people that utilises some of the personal connections, resources and partnerships that exist within the region to support the young people to develop connections, within the community and identify employment, training and education pathways and other aspirational opportunities they wish to pursue.
BCYF will invite young people who are accessing their programs who are aged between 15 and 18 years old.
The young people may be facing risks such as social exclusion, long term unemployment, homelessness and involvement in the justice system. The young person will work with their key workers to identify aspirations, interests and education/employment goals.
The Senior Project worker will work in partnership with Volunteering Geelong to utilise Volunteer Community Connectors through the MADTYM project, who are willing to use their networks and connections to create opportunities for the young people in the program that they would not otherwise have.
The key objectives of this role are:
Develop, implement and review the Community Connections Project by working with the young people and key stakeholders in the community
Provide eligible young people exiting the Out of Home Care system with more opportunities to achieve their potential.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES & DUTIES
Key Accountabilities & Duties Measurable Outcomes
Service Delivery & Leadership
Responsibilities for the intensive case support of Young People utilising Advantaged Thinking approaches
Support the Young People’s exploration of their interests, goals and aspirations, their readiness to pursue employment and education related goals and to identify and engage in opportunities they would like to pursue
Lead by example in the engagement of young people with Community Connectors and maintain the Connectors contribution to the program to ensure consistent outcomes for young people
Actively participate in the partnership with Volunteering Geelong in order to ensure that volunteer screening and induction fulfils Child safe standards and BCYF’s commitment to best practice
Co-delivery of volunteer induction, support and training for Community Connectors
Engage education and employment providers to ensure consistent outcomes for young people
Lead education and capacity building in the education and training setting to work with and support young people appropriately.
Support staff across the platform in case
management; in particular, early intervention and complex case management
Promote the culture and values of BCYF internally and externally and implement relevant cultural action plans
10 young people engaged in the program at any one time; utilising intensive case work and Advantaged Thinking model; achieving the following outcomes:
10 young people opportunity to participate in personal development activities with Community Connectors
Work experience opportunities defined and offered for young people in the program
Community Connectors identified through
Volunteering Geelong MADTYM project Mentorship
Provide consultation, advice, and practice reflections to contribute to effective decision making and practice development across the platform
Promote an effective culture of team work and participation to ensure adequate coverage with the team at all times
Support staff to be active in informing changes to program, service and organisation
Provide a leadership role in the implementation of risk management strategies and continuous quality improvement specific to the program
Connections to Community / Working within the partnership
Proactively manage and maintain positive
relationships with organisations and individuals that deliver opportunities for young people.
Establish dynamic and productive relationships with key agencies, community stakeholders and networks to increase the reach of the project and positive outcomes for young people
Participate in a range of internal and external meetings
Deliver high quality reports to the governance structure and line management in relation to activity and outcomes
Mainstream opportunities provided for young people to increase community connectedness.
New relationships developed to increase referrals to the program and linkages to community.
Demonstrated participation in the established governance structures that oversee the project
Attendance and participation in external networks that will enhance and strengthen the program objectives.
Mentoring and case reflection with BCYF staff around education and employment options for young people on statutory orders.
Mentoring, education and support to the volunteer Community connectors in relation to young people who are on statutory support orders.
Actively identify service gaps and seek new opportunities in the community for funded projects.
Actively contribute to project direction, reviews and reports to the Steering Committee and funding body and actively involve young people and Community Connectors in the program development and reviews
Reflective practice and mentoring provided for staff and key stakeholders to increase understanding of young people on statutory orders and the
education and employment space.
Promotion of project internally and externally as required
Written reports provided at required intervals to the governance structure providing oversight to the identified projects.
Organisational Accountabilities & Duties
Other reasonable duties as directed
Active involvement in the application of BCYF’s quality and risk management frameworks
Comply with the standards of a child safe organisation in both practice and culture
Active involvement in professional development to build theoretical knowledge and practice capability
Exercise coordination control over the identified project involving the planning direction, control and evaluation of operations.
Work with the Youth Statutory Support Programs leadership team to ensure that employees are supported to perform in their identified roles; this may require at times acting in management roles and participating in management structures.
Active involvement across BCYF programs with projects that work with complex young people with a focus on education and employment.
Demonstrated participation in continuous quality improvement and risk management activities
Adherence with Child Safe Standards.
Demonstrated participation in professional development activities.
Demonstrated management and leadership in supporting program and staff to achieve identified program goals.
Demonstrated intra agency activity supporting integration of programs to support complex young people.
KEY STAKEHOLDERS
Volunteering Geelong
Department of Health and Human Services
BCYF Youth Services including Better Futures, Youth Justice CSS, Youth AOD
MacKillop Family Services & Bethany Services ORGANISATIONAL VALUES & BEHAVIOURS
Our Values Expected Behaviours
INTEGRITY I am respectful, accountable and professional
I treat others with respect.
I demonstrate resilience and contribute to a positive workplace culture.
I reflect on my actions and practices and respond to constructive feedback.
I ensure that the organisational values and behaviours are reflected in my work.
I build strong professional relationships with colleagues, clients and partners
COMMITMENT I am dedicated to achieving positive outcomes
I seek continuous improvement and solution based practises and outcomes.
I accept the accountabilities associated with my role and performance.
I embrace new ideas, methods and systems.
I take pride in my work and contribute to positive change.
I adapt when required and am flexible to changes in my role.
INCLUSION I involve colleagues, clients and partners in my work
I engage and listen to clients and their families in planning and decision making.
I embrace opportunities to participate in organisational development.
I collaborate positively within my team and across the organisation.
I share my knowledge, achievements and learnings both internally and externally.
I recognise the strength that diversity brings to our workforce and community.
OHS RESPONSIBILITIES
The Board of Directors and Executive Management Team recognise the moral and legal responsibilities in providing a working environment for its employees, volunteers, contractors, visitors, the general public and those whom we serve (our clients), that is safe and healthy.
BCYF promotes a safety culture throughout the organisation that ensures that every employee actively participates in the health and wellbeing of themselves and their co-workers. All employees are expected to embrace this culture in line with the values of the organisation. All staff are expected to be aware of and participate in their duty of care in the workplace as outlined in induction and organisational policies.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS OF THE ROLE
The following table identifies the physical and psychological work environment characteristics that are inherent requirements of the role. Where possible, BCYF will make reasonable adjustments to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their roles.
A signed pre-existing condition declaration form is required to be completed prior to commencement.
Required activities / working environment Frequency Computer based tasks, sedentary position, office based Often
Repetitive manual tasks Rarely
Driving, in & out of vehicles Often
Walking, climbing stairs, bending Often
Working alone or at a co-located site Often
Confrontational/confronting situations
(Due to the nature of our work there may be times when staff are exposed to behaviour, language and/or situations that can be confronting)
Sometimes
Working outside in differing weather conditions Sometimes Attending external locations including client homes Often
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA
Essential
Relevant tertiary qualification in Social Work, Welfare/Youth Work or associated discipline.
Demonstrated experience in building and maintaining positive and productive relationships with young people experiencing significant challenges, in particular those with multiple and complex barriers to education and employment.
Ability to provide case support in relation to individual plans.
An understanding of the Children, Youth and Families Act (2005), and other relevant legislation.
Knowledge of the education, training, employment and wellbeing service system
An understanding of the impact of trauma on young people and the ability to work from a trauma informed approach.
Demonstrated project management skills and ability to engage key stakeholders at all levels.
Understanding of the purpose and expectations of the Victorian Child Safe Standards and demonstrated commitment to contributing to a child safe organisation in both practice and culture.
Current Victorian Drivers Licence.
Desirable
Demonstrated experience in brokering opportunities with employers, service providers and the broader community to enable young people to pursue their goals and an ability to provide training and guidance to staff from other service settings.
Demonstrated ability to advocate on behalf of young people engaged in the statutory system.
Understanding of an Advantaged Thinking practice approach
Demonstrated skills and experience in capacity building and change management.
Experience in recruiting, inducting and supporting volunteers or an understanding of the factors involved in working with volunteers
Experience providing information and/ or education to others about using a trauma informed approach
A sound understanding of issues confronting young people living in or transitioning from the statutory care environment
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS
Employees are required to read, understand and comply with all BCYF policies, procedures and reasonable direction, whilst demonstrating professional workplace behaviours in accordance with the BCYF’s Code of Conduct.
BCYF is committed to being a safe and friendly organisation for children and young people and therefore require all employees to undergo and maintain a range of satisfactory checks as a condition of employment. These include:
Working with Children Check
National Police Check
International Police Check (if required)
POSITION DESCRIPTION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I have read, understood and agree to comply with the above position description.
Employee Signature: Date:
