Purpose of the position

The Placement and Intensive Foster Care Support Worker’s role is to support the Team Leader to Provide Foster and Kinship Carers with personalised support, case management and journey with them to ensure the safety and successful placement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in a family home environment. The Placement Support and Intensive Foster Care Worker’s major responsibility is to ensure a high level of therapeutic support is provided to placements of children and young people who are referred by the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs.

Responsibilities and duties

• Maintain a case load of carers and coordinate the communication and supports identified to meet the goals of carers and child/ren

• Support carers to liaise with the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs, including other key stakeholders

• Follow Assessment and Case Management procedures and standards, including ongoing approvals

• Build respectful and professional relationships with service users, carers, agencies, partners, community and colleagues.

• Provide direct care of children and young people in placement and assist Foster and Kinship Carers to best meet the challenging needs of the children and young people in their care in line with the Statement of Standards of Care. (Child Protection Act 1999)

• Active engagement in building relationships through interaction and activities

• Applied knowledge and understanding of trauma-based behaviours

• Assessing complex needs of children and care environments, developing and implementing individual care plans

• Maintain accurate quality record keeping

• Participate and contribute to the organisation’s compliance obligations under the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System and Health Standards Quality Systems (HSQS), & Human Services Quality Framework HSQF.

• At all times work within CQID’s Workplace Health & Safety Policies and Procedures

• Fulfil obligations as a Mandatory Reporter as directed by the Child Protection Act, 1999.

• Other responsibilities as directed by the Team Leader

Qualifications and experience

• Holds a current C Class Queensland Driver’s Licence

• Qualifications or knowledge related to Child Protection

• Current Working with Children Check – Blue Card

• Experience at successful service delivery to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

• Certificate IV or higher qualification in Child, Youth and Family Intervention, Youth Services, Community Services, or a related field.

• Previous experience in a Foster Care Program

• Current Child Safety Personal History Screening Check (LSC2)

• Holds or is willing to obtain a First Aid and CPR Certificate

• Completion of Hope and Healing Framework training

Skills and attributes

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage – [Note: Non-Indigenous applicants will only be considered if no suitable Indigenous candidates are attracted in the first round of applicants]

• Experience in developing and managing case plans

• Strong connection to and knowledge of local Indigenous Community
• Ability to offer mentoring and leadership to Foster Carers

• The ability to respond appropriately and professionally in crisis situations.

• Exceptional communication skills with a focus on relating to carers, children and youth

• Problem solving, decision making and negotiation skills

• Self-starter, motivated and able to self-manage work tasks

• Capability to develop relationships based on acceptance, trust and respect