Hope That Change Is Possible and Achievable
Program / Child FIRST
Employment Status / Part-time 0.6 FTE
Award / SCHADS 2010
Position reports to / Team Leader, Child FIRST
Location / Thomastown
HISTORY
The Children’s Protection Society (CPS) was founded in 1896 and is one of the oldest and most experienced independent child welfare organisationsin Victoria. The Agency holds a unique place in the history of Australian child protection.
CPS is an evidenced based, dynamic and diverse independent and voluntary child and family servicesorganisation with no political or religious affiliations, governed by a Board of communitymembers, servicing vulnerable children, young people and families.
With offices in Heidelberg and Thomastown, CPS provides a range of services across metropolitan Melbourne and in regional Victoria including family support, sexualabuse counselling, adolescent sex offender treatment services, fathers support services,support for grandparents raising their grandchildren, an award winning child and family centre and evidence and competency based professional development across all of the aforementioned domains.
For further information regarding CPS services, please refer to our website
OUR VISION
All children and young people thrive in resilient, strong and safe families and communities
OUR MISSION
To nurture, support and strengthen the life chances for vulnerable children, young people and families
OUR VALUES
- Hope – that change is possible and achievable
- Respect – for all people
- Empowerment – belief in the ability of all people to make positive changes in their lives
- Leadership – advocate for the rights and wellbeing of children and young people
- Integrity – our actions are underpinned by our beliefs
- Accountability – in everything we do
ROLE PURPOSE
CPS Child First participates in the L17 Triage Demonstration Project across the North East and Hume Moreland regions alongside other participating agencies including Child Protection, Kildonan Child First, Berry Street Family Violence programs, Plenty Valley Community Health, Victoria Police, and VACCA. The overall aim of the project which was initiated in 2013 is to provide a coordinated approach to assessing and responding to children at risk where there has been police attendance due to a reported family violence incident. The project provides a multi-agency risk assessment and triage to children and families affected by violence in order to determine the most suitable service response.
The primary purpose of the Family Violence Triage Worker role is to participate in Triage Processes associated with
the L17 Triage Project in collaboration with other partner agencies, on behalf of NE Child First. This involves:
- Participating in relevant L17 triage meetings
- Identifying needs and assessing risk, in consultation with Child Protection and other services
- Providing advice and information on previous, existing or potential Child First involvement with cases
- Referring appropriate L17 cases into NE Child First for assessment
- Undertaking comprehensive Child First Assessments of L17 referrals
- Maintaining data as relevant to Child First and the project
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
Internal Relationships:
- Team Leader
- Assistant Manager
- Executive Manager
- Executive Director Operations
- Chief Executive Officer
- L17 Triage project partner organisations
- Key Stakeholders including, government, corporate, community and otherstakeholders
- Professional networks
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
1.Service Delivery
1.1Attend and actively participate in triage meetings and processes to discuss L17 referrals, review past cases, share information and undertake risk assessment, case planning and case allocation alongside partner agencies
1.2Participate in the partnership model by implementing processes, procedures and practices which are aimed at enhancing the safety and wellbeing of women and children experiencing Family Violence
1.3Represent NE Child First and maintain positive and productive relationships with partner agencies and other relevant key stakeholders
1.4Undertake comprehensive risk assessments offamilies involving women, children and men and provide information on Child First responses as relevant to other agency members
1.5Facilitate L17 referrals from the project into NE Child First
1.6Collect relevant information about children and families referred in compliance with relevant legislation and Child First program guidelines
1.7Conduct thorough Child First needs and risk assessments using the Best Interests Case Practice Model to inform decisions about suitable outcomes for referrals. Consult with the Team Leader about all assessments who will then makes decisions about referral outcomes.
1.8Make referrals to other services with consent from the family and when it is assessed that this is in the family’s interest to do so. Provide information and advice about services that are likely to meet family needs.
1.9Ensure the identification of children and families who are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin, and consult with the Aboriginal Liaison Worker from VACCA to provide culturally competent responses to families.
1.10Identify cultural and linguistically diverse families, work with interpreters and consult with culturally specific services as required.
1.11Work closely with the Aboriginal Liaison Worker and the DHHS Community Based Child Protection Workers, and other services to provide creative and flexible intake service responses for families and children experiencing violence with complex issues and who are difficult to engage.
1.12If there is reasonable belief that a child is in need of protection, make a report to DHHS Child Protection following, wherever possible consultation with the Community Based Child Protection Worker and in line with CPS policy “Reporting of Children/Young People at Risk”.
1.13Undertake assertive outreach to conduct assessments including home visits, attend case conferences as required.
1.14Prioritise referrals and allocation to Family Service agencies based on risk and need in consultation with Team Leader.
2.Program Implementation and Development
2.1Ensure that accurate L17 statistical data as required by DHHS and CPS is maintained and collated in a timely manner for reporting timelines.
2.2Maintain records of cases presented, reviews and update IRIS database on any outcomes.
1.15Contribute to the implementation of project strategies that improve service responses aimed at enhancing the safety and wellbeing of women and children experiencing Family Violence.
2.3Participate in activities involved in program evaluation as delegated by Team Leader or Manager.
2.4Establish and maintain positive working relationships within Child First and other CPS teams.
2.5Work collaboratively with Berry Street Team Leader Police Referral Triage Project and Senior Family Violence Case Manager and contribute to practice knowledge and development.
3.Administration
3.1Participate in Child First team processes which ensure a cohesive and effective team response to all referrals
3.2Participate in regular supervisionwith the Team Leader as per CPS policyand provide regular updates on caseloads and assessments undertaken
3.3 Effectively maintain up to date and accurate client documentation including IRIS information, case notes assessments etc.
4. Network participation
4.1 Develop and maintain knowledge of community resources and networks relevant to vulnerable children and families affected by violence
4.2 Liaise with DHHS Child Protection, VACCA, and other services including Family Services providers in a manner that promotes positive working relationships and improved client outcomes
5. Other Duties
5.1 Undertake other duties as directed.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Meet all relevant Child First KPI’s for allocated Child First cases including making contact within 48 hours of allocation and completing assessments within 10 business days (refer to Child First Intake Worker Position description for more detail).
Meet all requirements as set out in individual work plan.
Active participation in supervision at least once a fortnight for one hour.
Formal Education /
- Relevant tertiary qualification in social work, psychology, child and family social welfare or related discipline.
Skills and Experience /
- Demonstrated skills and experience in undertaking comprehensive assessment of needs and risks of vulnerable children, young people and families who are experiencing family violence.
- Sound knowledge of legislation and policy relating to family violence, child welfare and family services practice.
- Thorough understanding of the nature and incidence of family violence including the ability to apply a practice framework for engagement and assessment.
Other Key Selection Criteria /
- Demonstrated experience working with families with complex needs experiencing family violence and a commitment to professional development.
- Proven ability to build and maintain positive and effective relationships with stakeholders.
- Have a demonstrated personal value set that is aligned with CPS’ organisational values.
- Have a demonstrated understanding and capability for working with diversity.
- Have a demonstrated robustness and resilience and a level of maturity that supports independent practice.
- A demonstrated level of self-awareness relating to their own practice and relationships with others.
- Comfort with flexibility in working arrangements.
- Have a demonstrated capability to network with others both inside and outside organisational boundaries.
- Capacity to support and implement change at a policy and operational level.
- Highly developed written, verbal, interpersonal and public relations skills.
- A good understanding of, or willingness to learn about, Aboriginal culture, values and protocols and a demonstrated capacity to work in a culturally informed and respectful manner.
COMPETENCY DEFINITION
Teamwork / Maintains enthusiasm and understands own role in achieving organisational mission. Shares information and contributes to team discussions. / Essential
Build and Maintain Relationships / Utilises own community networks and collaborates internally and externally to achieve client outcomes / Essential
Compliance and Governance / Ensures compliance with the organisation’s work practices. Ensures safety of self and others in the work environment. Ensures that own work meets the organizations quality requirements. / Essential
Communication / Establishes open communication channels. Able to express own ideas and opinions in an appropriate manner. Receptive to others’ communications. / Essential
Reflective Practice / Applies organisational practice models procedures and relevant legislation when working with clients. Maintains awareness of client needs. Demonstrates sensitivity and respect for diversity and differences in clients / Essential
Results Orientation / Takes responsibility and accountability for achieving required actions or outcomes. Clarifies roles, responsibilities and objectives and is committed to achieving positive outcomes. / Essential
Change and Responsiveness / Maintains a positive approach to change and adapts to new or different ways of working. Takes advantage of opportunities for learning and developing new skills. / Essential
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- All CPS staff and volunteers are required to adhere to the values of CPS and act at all times in accordance with the Code of Conduct.
- Terms and conditions of employment shall be laid down in a Contract of Employment to be entered into by CPS and the employee.
- Under Victoria Workcover legislation, it is the applicant’s duty to advise the CPS of any pre-existing medical conditions, which could be aggravated by the type of employment for which they are applying. Failure to do so seriously jeopardises any entitlement the employee might have for a work-related aggravation of that non-disclosed pre-existing condition.
- The successful applicant will be required to undergo satisfactory pre-employment checks, including 2 professional referees, completion of a pre-existing injury/disease declaration, Working with Children Check, National Police Check, International Police Check and proof of identity and qualifications.
- The successful applicant should possess and continue to hold a full Victorian Driver’s Licence, a photocopy of which is held on file at CPS. The agency requires that staff use agency vehicles for work-related activities whenever possible. However, if you are authorised to use your own vehicle for work-related purposes, mileage will be paid in accordance with CPS policies. The agency will not accept liability for any damage incurred to staff vehicles whilst being used for work-related activities.
- CPS is a smoke free workplace.
- Salary will be in accordance with the SCHADS Award 2010, Level 6. Superannuation and the opportunity for remuneration packaging in line with CPS’s Remuneration Packaging Policy will be offered.
- In accordance with the Fair Work Act 2009, either party can terminate employment within the initial 6 month period of employment by providing one week’s notice. The position is part-time, 22.8 hours per week. CPS does not pay any overtime. Your supervisor must authorise any additional hours in advance of being worked, which may then be claimed as TIL.
- All other terms and conditions of employment will be in accordance with the SCHADS Award 2010. CPS policies and procedures must be followed but do not form part of the contract of employment and may amended from time to time to suit organisational requirements.
Approved:Date:
Aileen Ashford
Chief Executive Officer
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CPS_F092 V2.0 Doc. Owner: HR Date Approved: March 2015