Family Support Worker

Dunalley Tasman Neighbourhood House

SCHADS Award, Level 4

Part Time

Primary Location – 1635 Main Road Nubeena

Dunalley Tasman Neighbourhood House (DTNH) is a community-based organisation in Southern Tasmania that works alongside our community to strengthen, connect and bring people together - fostering flourishing outcomes for all.

We are seeking a vibrant and engaged person to join our team who has experience working alongside diverse communities and leading child centred programs, delivering wrap around early intervention and linking families to services.

DTNH is an equal opportunity employer and a child safe organisation. We embrace and foster diversity and inclusivity in our workforce. We welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, other First Nations People, and individuals with migration or refugee experience. We also encourage those from historically disadvantaged groups, including but not limited to gender, class, race, and/or disability.

The terms and conditions are those applying under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHCADS) Industry Award 2010.

Superannuation will be paid at the mandated rate to the fund of choice.

For questions about the role or assistance with the application process, please contact Jeddah Barwick ([email protected]) with the header Family Support Worker – Dunalley Tasman Neighbourhood House or call on 0400 145 922.

Primary Purpose

The Family Support Worker will assist with developing and delivering key programs and referral pathways aimed at empowering families experiencing disadvantage to break down barriers to social participation and access to services.

The Family Support Worker will meet the delivery and reporting needs of specific grant parameters outlined through the Department of Social Services (DSS).

To do so, the Family Support Worker will engage collaboratively with parents/caregivers, children, young people, community, local and state government agencies and service providers.

Primary Duties

1. Engage families and children, in a trauma informed way, to build rapport and facilitate their participation in a range of activities increase family cohesion, support parenting, promote early intervention and learning, and improve the health and wellbeing outcomes of children.

2. In collaboration with the team, co-ordinate the planning and implementation of appropriate programs that are responsive to the needs of families, children and youth, particularly those experiencing vulnerability.

3. Work collaboratively with the Manager and DTNH team to build and maintain effective networks and partnerships between families, volunteers, services providers, local community, government and non-government agencies.

4. Provide expertise and guidance to other staff and volunteers with the development of referral pathways to more intensive support services for families, as well as providing direct referral support to families engaged in DTNH services and programs.

5. Work collaboratively with community and networks to provide/develop programs which are culturally responsive and sensitive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, and vulnerable groups and individuals.

6. Provide administrative support as required and undertake relevant administration of programs and services related to this role, including appropriate capture and record of program data and reporting. Also have the knowledge and ability to complete risk assessments and adhere to workplace safety and related legislation.

7. Physically set up environments and provide expertise in planning, delivering and assessing programs, as well as sourcing appropriate resources for programs when needed.

The Family Support Worker can expect to be allocated duties, not specifically mentioned in this document, that are within the capacity, qualifications and experience normally expected from persons occupying positions at this classification level.

Level of Responsibility/Direction and Supervision

With broad direction and supervision provided by the DTNH Manager, day-to-day work will be largely independent but often done in collaboration with other Family Support staff or volunteers.

As directed to by the DTNH Manager, the Family Support Worker is responsible for accurate and appropriate data collection and reporting, as well as some financial record keeping.

The Family Support Worker will be responsible for directing and coordinating some volunteers and paid community tutors/program facilitators, as required by programs and activities.

Selection Criteria

To be considered for this role, please submit a covering letter of no more than two pages that addresses the following specific selection criteria, and a resume of no more than two pages to [email protected]

1. Demonstrated child focussed group facilitation skills, together with a proven ability to organise and coordinate activities of a group to ensure engagement of both parents/carers, and children.

2. Demonstrated understanding of the needs and challenges facing families experiencing disadvantage, together with a demonstrated understanding of the importance of the early years of life.

3. Proven interpersonal skills, initiative, self-motivation and the ability to work effectively and flexibly in a team environment and with volunteers.

4. The ability to plan and undertake projects, problem solve, organise workloads and meet deadlines, together with the skills to capture, document and report data, document processes and make recommendations, including risk assessments.

5. Demonstrated knowledge of, and networks in, services and partnerships, with the proven ability to make referrals, especially relating to social inclusion issues, with the ability to work effectively with Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders, culturally and linguistically diverse groups and other vulnerable groups and individuals.

Essential features you will bring to the role

The Registration to Work with Vulnerable People Act 2013 requires a persons undertaking a work in a regulated activity to be registered. A regulated activity is a child related service or activity defined in the Registration to Work with Vulnerable People Regulations 2014. This registration must remain current and valid at all times whilst employed in this role and the status of this may be checked at any time during employment.

· Current Tasmanian Registration to Work with Vulnerable People (Registration Status – Employment)

· An appropriate qualification, such as Diploma in Community Development, Social Work, Early Childhood

Education, Health Care and/or relevant industry experience in similar community and family services roles.

· A valid driver’s license

· A Tasmanian Police check no more than 12 months old, or the ability to obtain one.