POSITION TITLE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SERVICE/BUSINESS AREA LOCATION ACCOUNTABLE & REPORTS TO POSITION/S REPORTING TO THIS POSITION Child FIRST (Child and Family Information, Referral and Support Team) Intake Worker Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 Child Youth & Family Services Broadmeadows Team Leader - Hume Moreland, Child First Nil INFORMATION CONTACT Senior Manager HM Child FIRST & IFS Telephone 9302 6100 AGENCY OVERVIEW Kildonan UnitingCare is an innovative and trusted community service organisation within one of Australia s largest welfare networks, UnitingCare Australia an agency of the Uniting Church. We are one of Australia s oldest organisations dating back to 1881 yet we are rapidly gaining a reputation for delivering some of the most proactive, innovative and relevant community services in Victoria. Kildonan supports more than 15,000 Victorian individuals, families and communities each year from metropolitan Melbourne through to North Regional Victoria, following a merger with UnitingCare Cutting Edge in 2014. Kildonan is committed to assisting to develop and sustain a society that values and cares for its children. All children who have contact with Kildonan staff, whether directly or indirectly, have a right to feel and be safe. Kildonan is an inclusive organisation acknowledging and valuing diversity: socio economic status, sex, gender, sexuality, ability and cultural background. We deliver quality services to our stakeholders through the organisational values of Respect, Trust, Compassion, Integrity and Justice. SCOPE OF POSITION Child FIRST provides a coordinated community based entry point into registered child and family service agencies working within the Hume Moreland Integrated Family Services Partnership. Family Services provides a case management and support service for vulnerable children, young people aged 0-17 and their families. Families are referred by community members, professionals or Child Protection. Child FIRST completes initial assessments to determine suitability for allocation to family services or coordinate referrals to other relevant community agencies. Child FIRST also provides information and advice about local community services and supports for vulnerable families. Families eligible for the service will be impacted by disadvantage including poverty, substance abuse, family violence, mental health and trauma and may be at risk of becoming involved with the Child Protection system. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Role Contribute to the development and provision of an effective, quality service by providing a coordinated intake response to families, potential referrers, community networks and professionals; Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams across the Child and Family Services Alliance and within Kildonan UnitingCare. REVIEW PAGE 1 OF 5
Undertake initial screening and complete intake processes for a caseload of referrals, including conducting risk and needs assessments based on the Best Interests Case Practice Model Consult with the Community Based Child Protection Workers when protective concerns are assessed as likely to impact on child safety and wellbeing. Undertake crisis management functions; Work collaboratively with families, the community and other professionals to ensure best interests of children and young people aged 0-17 are met; Support families awaiting allocation including monitoring and through referrals to universal and other services; advocate for family s access to services as required; Provide or facilitate assertive outreach as necessary, particularly with clients who are reluctant to engage; Communicate respectfully and honestly with families and demonstrate transparent practice in relation to child wellbeing concerns. Maintain case records and data entry in line with procedures and policies Assess the appropriateness of referrals for family services allocation; support the senior intake worker in preparing case presentations for the weekly allocations meetings. Develop and maintain knowledge of community resources and networks for vulnerable children, young people and their families. Participate in agency networks in line with the strategic plan and Integrated Family Services catchment plan. General Participate in and contribute to staff processes of reflection, review, development and planning in a team and broader organisation context. Participate in the development and maintenance of a cohesive team. Participate in regular supervision with Team Leader. Perform any other function in line with authorities, capabilities, and skills that will enhance the performance of Kildonan UnitingCare. Attend and participate in team meetings, wider agency activities and training/forums. Accountability Performance of all aspects of the role in an efficient and timely manner. Participate in regular supervision, including an annual appraisal in order to meet organisational and professional development goals. Participate in professional development programs as appropriate. Represent Kildonan in a professional manner at all times. Willingness and ability to follow lawful instructions. ROLE ATTRIBUTE REQUIREMENTS Ethical Honest Has integrity and principles Is truthful Reflects expected standards of behaviour and/or Code of Conduct Is credible and truthful Is reliable and trustworthy Acknowledges and learns from mistakes Creative and innovative Finds ways to work better and smarter Generates options and ideas Is open to change and alternatives REVIEW PAGE 2 OF 5
Client/member focused Positive Flexible Resilient Determined Culturally aware Work Standards Inclusive Collaborative KEY SELECTION CRITERIA POSITION DESCRIPTION Prioritises needs of clients and members Aims for best outcomes for clients and members Is outcome focused Follows through with commitments Has faith in own abilities Is optimistic Remains calm and focused when faced with difficulty Adapts to changing circumstances in the workplace Prioritises work and addresses what is most important Takes advantage of new and emerging opportunities Recovers from setbacks Overcomes obstacles and impediments Learns from experience and identifies areas for self-development Researches options and sets a clear path Deals with obstacles and impediments Has clear goals Respects difference in all its forms Adapts language to aid communication Values diversity as a strength and positively utilises diversity Has high work standards and is proactive in carrying out work and ensuring service reliability Has high work ethic even when processing mundane nonchallenging duties Recognises the rights of others Is committed to social justice and social inclusion Makes equitable decisions Works with others to achieve common goals Engenders a spirit of teamwork Inspires trust Qualifications Bachelor of Social Work or Diploma of Community Welfare Work. Other tertiary qualifications at Diploma or above level will be considered only if they include units of study in case management / case work practice and supervised practical placements in relevant field/s. Skills and Experience Knowledge and understanding of intake, assessment and response. A sound understanding of strengths based approach to service delivery. An understanding of child development, family systems, ecological theory and demonstrated experience in working with vulnerable children and families with complex and multiple needs. Ability to engage and assess client needs including risk assessments. Child Protection experience &/or Intake experience with vulnerable children and families, including those who have experienced family violence, is high desirable. Intermediate to advanced Computer literacy using MS Word, Outlook, Excel and efficient and effective data entry skills. REVIEW PAGE 3 OF 5
Personal Attributes Highly developed adaptive interpersonal communication skills including the ability to engage and empower others. Ability to be self-reliant, motivated and accountable in managing multiple tasks and meeting timelines and targets. Excellent written including report writing skills and verbal communication skills. Commitment and ability to work independently and as a member of a team. Mandatory Current Drivers Licence. Current Victorian Working with Children Check. Successfully completed Police Records Check with a satisfactory outcome. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Diversity, Gender & Respectful relationships Knowledge and understanding of the principles of antidiscrimination and equal opportunity legislation and demonstrates ability to interpret and uphold principals and standards of equal opportunity policies into practice and committed to building a workplace culture that actively promotes equal and respectful relationships between genders. Health & Wellbeing Ensure that a system of work that is safe and without risk to health is developed, documented and followed by all employees, volunteers, clients and visitors through appropriate supervision, training and monitoring. Maintain compliance with OHS legislative requirements and Kildonan's OH&S policies, procedures and guidelines. This includes reporting of safety incidents and hazards as soon as you are aware of them Quality Service Systems Demonstrates ongoing commitment to the Vision, Mission, Values, Strategic Plan, Policy and to our Continual Improvement/ Quality Assurance processes. Manages implementation of quality systems and ensure that quality outcomes are achieved. Demonstrates ongoing commitment to the Vision, Mission, Values, Strategic Plan and Policy, and to our quality assurance processes. Enhances quality practices, ensures own work meets quality requirements, and provides input into continuous improvement through consultation. Drugs and Alcohol A staff member is not to be adversely affected by alcohol, drugs or any other detrimental substances whilst employed in this position at Kildonan UnitingCare. POSITION INCUMBENT I have read and understood this position description. I acknowledge that description of the role is an outline and guide to the tasks which provides a guide to professional activities needed to undertake the role successfully. I understand that annual review of the position description may occur and may be amended from time to time as the organisation needs change. Changes to the position description will be consistent with the purpose for which the position was established. Signature: Print Name: Date: REVIEW PAGE 4 OF 5
This position description has been approved by Senior Manager People & Culture Signature: Print Name: MEAGAN DOWNIE Date: M I L Y S E R V I C E S REVIEW PAGE 5 OF 5