Bayside City Council

Position Description

Position Title: Counselling and Support Worker Classification: Band 6 Department: Youth, Recreation and Events - Youth Services Division: Community Services Date: May 2014 Approved By: ______Director Community Services

Accepted by: ______print and sign name All Bayside City Council employees are committed to serving our community by making the municipality a better place for all who live work and visit here. We strive to embrace and live our values of respect, creativity, accountability, adaptability, achievement and connectedness and to provide high levels of customer service and best practice solutions to the issues that will affect our community now and in the future.

Performance Outcomes

Provide therapeutic counselling and intervention strategies, advocacy and support to young people aged 10 to 25 and their families in the City of Bayside.

Key responsibilities

 To provide therapeutic counselling, intervention and mediation to young people and /or their parents in an autonomous work environment.  To develop, deliver and evaluate quality support programs in schools and in the community in response to identified needs of young people and their families in Bayside. This may be in the form of prevention and early intervention programs for young people or parents/guardian and may involve regular after hours work.  Create and maintain meaningful and effective relationships with key stakeholders such as community agencies, school wellbeing staff and mental health services to facilitate incoming and outgoing referrals.  To maintain a service philosophy and style that encourages empowerment, advocacy and ethical practice.  Report upon service delivery within Council’s corporate reporting system and maintain confidential client records within agreed timeframes.  Provide input in reviewing policy, systems and processes within Youth Services’ Clinical Governance Framework to ensure flexible, responsive, safe and high quality service delivery.  Participate in meetings and share individual expertise within a multi-disciplinary team of counsellors, youth workers and community development workers. OHS Responsibilities

 Take reasonable steps to:

o Follow safe work practices, instructions and rules at all times. o Perform all duties in a manner that ensures personal health and safety and the safety of others in the workplace and general public. o Utilise available systems to report all hazards, injuries and incidents o Comply with Council’s health and safety management system, policies and procedures. oActively participate in offered Rehabilitation and Return to Work program

Corporate responsibilities

 Seek opportunities for continuous improvement in days to day operations and by participating in the corporate continuous improvement program, 'Business Excellence @ Bayside'

 Comply with Council policies, procedures and guidelines that relate to the position.

 Protect Council's physical, financial and intellectual assets against damage, fraud or misuse. This includes identifying and reporting instances of damage, fraud or misuse.

 Create a positive image of Council by delivering excellent customer service to all internal and external customers.

 Comply with Council’s Green Office practices for waste reduction, green purchasing and energy and water conservation as specified in the Council Plan and Environmental Sustainability Framework.

 Embrace Council’s Corporate Values of respect, creativity, accountability, adaptability, achievement and connected and demonstrate a commitment to fairness, diversity and respect.

Organisation relationships

Reports to: Youth Services Coordinator

Supervises: Volunteers and students on placement

Internal Contacts: All Youth Services staff and staff from other departments

External Contacts: Liases with other relevant service providers, young people, schools, government agencies and families in Bayside and the general community. Accountability and extent of authority

 The position is expected to work independently and autonomously with minimal supervision. Clinical supervision will be provided by a health professional with appropriate qualifications and experience.  The incumbent is responsible for delivering services within agreed timeframes, targets and budgets,  The incumbent will be eligible for membership of an appropriate professional association.

Judgement and decision making

 In relation to problem solving, the incumbent will follow relevant procedures and/or apply professional knowledge and experience. Issues that arise of a complex nature require guidance and decision making from the Youth Services Coordinator.

Specialist knowledge and skills

The incumbent will be able to demonstrate the skills and ability to:

 Provide counselling, casework and therapeutic intervention by maintaining a case-load of between 14 and 18 clients depending on frequency of sessions and complexity of issues (pro rata for part-time staff)  Facilitate specialist group work relevant to identified community needs.  Make detailed assessments of young people’s needs.  Develop and maintain relevant professional networks with other service providers  Support and advocate for young people.  Prepare concise reports, statistical analyses and external correspondence.  Use PC applications at a competent level, including e-mail, databases and record management systems.

The position requires professional knowledge and expertise in the following areas:  Issues relating to young people and families include those with complex needs.  Current theories and concepts relating to practice issues and their implementation.  Legislation relevant to young people.

Management skills

 Prioritise and manage a complex workload within an appropriate time frame.  Manage critical incidents and high risk clients in an appropriate manner.  Maintain detailed, up-to-date records in accordance with professional responsibility.

Interpersonal skills  The ability to respond to the needs of young people with empathy and understanding, showing sensitivity to diverse economic, social and cultural backgrounds.  To use a high level of conflict resolution, mediation and consultation skills in working with young people, their families and other service providers.  Employ an ethical and professional approach in practice  Engage with a diverse range of age groups, health professional and agencies  Public speaking skills

Qualifications and experience

 Bachelor (or higher) qualifications in social work, psychology, youth work, counselling or related field.  Additional qualifications in counselling or related therapeutic intentions such as family therapy.  At least 2 experience delivering counselling to young people and their families.  Demonstrated experience in the development, planning and facilitation of group programs in schools and the community.  Eligibility for membership of an appropriate professional counselling association.  Current Victorian Drivers License and use of a vehicle with comprehensive motor vehicle insurance.  Current Level 2 First Aid.