POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Area Coordinator CLASSIFICATION: Mercer 3 REPORTS TO: State Manager Youth Services PERFORMANCE AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN:

Conducted during the first 6 months from time of commencement then annually by immediate Supervisor/Manager. This Position Description shall be considered at the time of conducting your Performance and Development Plan.

ST JOHN OF GOD HEALTH CARE MISSION AND VALUES

Our vision is to bring healing to people through services that are caring, comforting and affirming and give them a reason to hope and a greater sense of their own dignity.

Our organisational culture reflects our values of Hospitality, Compassion, Respect, Justice and Excellence.

Importantly because the whole of the organisation is concerned with caring for or supporting people, those associated with the provision of services, at all levels, are considered to be "Caregivers".

Caregivers are expected to uphold the five values, treating each other and those they serve with respect and dignity in support of our vision.

1. PURPOSE OF POSITION

The Area Coordinator provides day-to-day management of the Horizon House therapeutic accommodation and support program within a specified region/area. Under the guidance of the State Manager, the Area Coordinator (AC) will:

 Provide management of the Youth Services within specified area/s. This will include ensuring a high standard of care and quality service is delivered to young people within the Horizon House Tier 1, 2 & 3 Youth accommodation and outreach service in line with program objectives.  Oversee the day-to-day operations within their area, including supervising the provision of complex case management for young people within the program. A significant task involves managing the rostered staffing to meet the service needs required throughout the various tiers. The program is committed to delivering a high level of safe and consistent care to the young people and the Area Coordinator will be expected to drive this process in order to reduce the need to engage agency staff. Strong and inclusive leadership is essential to this role.

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Reviewed Date: 5th February 2017 Next Review Date: 5th February 2018  Meet service goals and standards, including specific contractual agreements with partner agencies to ensure a quality program is delivered for our client’s team members and stakeholders.  Act as the first point of contact for prospective clients and undertake a holistic assessment to determine their suitability for the service. In addition, to identify specific planning and support required to assist their transition in to and ongoing development within the service. In conjunction with the team this will involve formulating an Initial Support Plan (ISP) for each young person upon entry and ensuring it is regularly reviewed and updated and that goal-orientated interventions are implemented in a timely manner.  Ensure that the program embraces and enacts principles of therapeutic care and that these skills are embedded with caregivers.  Will take line management responsibility for individual caregivers within their area, currently Support Coordinators, Senior Youth Residential Caregivers (SYRC) and Youth Residential Caregivers (YRC’s). Where deemed appropriate the Area Coordinator will delegate to and support the Senior Youth Residential Caregiver to provide line management to YRC’s, students and volunteers.  Act as the conduit between the senior team leader, carers, program participants and the State Manager.  Be a proactive and supportive member of the state leadership team. They will assist the State Manager to review and develop the programs within Youth Services to identify if there is the need for other services within the region and or service. With that in mind, it is expected that the Area Coordinator will participate actively in relevant statewide and regional forums and consultations. Partnership with other agencies may be required in this process, and the Area Coordinator, will be expected to develop and maintain good working relationships with partner agencies.  Youth residential work is a dynamic and complex environment, and we continually work on quality improvement as well as innovation in order to ensure the best life outcomes for this vulnerable group of people.  A shared responsibility with Management for ensuring that children/young people are safe in Horizon House programs, acts in children’s/young people’s best interests and actively works to empower children/young people.  Assist the state manager with agency and internal and external stakeholder development and liaison including representing the service in discussions with relevant government and non-government services and agencies.

2. POSITION REQUIREMENTS

2.1 Mission

 Capacity to understand and willingness to support and promote the Mission and Values of St John of God Health Care.  Commitment to organisation’s service ethos through the provision of excellent service.  Caregivers are required to act in accordance with the standards of behaviour outlined in the SJGHC Code of Conduct document.

2.2 Operational Leadership:

The Area Coordinator is expected to lead, supervise and coordinate the

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Reviewed Date: 5th February 2017 Next Review Date: 5th February 2018 agency’s therapeutic accommodation and support program by example through:

 Ensuring a highly skilled motivated and professionally trained workforce. This will include recruitment of caregivers and facilitating a good induction to the role and program, as well the provision of regular supervision, performance development and management to all directly accountable caregivers.  Leadership of regular team meetings including group supervision, case discussions and service management.  Working flexible hours when required and participating in the after hour roster as On Call.  Leading the implementation of the Horizon House Therapeutic Model of Care, Practice Manual/s and Service Delivery Tools (e.g. Outcome Star and FIT) to promote and deliver a high level of care and service that meets program objectives.

Specific Program Management:

Ensure quality and responsive services are delivered and the promotion of services, which reflects the programs commitment to strength based practices, is inclusive of the young people, enables their participation in decisions and seeks to develop and strengthen links between the young people, their families and local community where appropriate. Specifically to:

 Ensure compliance with organisational, professional and program standards, including relevant legislation and service agreements.  Review and evaluate service delivery to the target group with the view to identifying what is working well and opportunities for improvement.  Seek opportunities to develop collaborative linkages and innovative responses internally and externally to meet the needs of the client group.  Oversee referrals and be the first point of contact to prospective clients; ensuring a timely and respectful assessment process and planned entry in to the service if deemed suitable through approval process.  Manages the flow of program participants into the various areas within the supported accommodation service.  Support the SYRC’s in ensuring the program and care environments facilitate the case plan goals, daily living, social, developmental and other identified needs of the young people.  Develop strong networks within the local community and actively promotes the service in order to secure adequate referrals and meet program KPI of achieving 80%> occupancy.  Prepare, monitor and manage resources within the allocated budget; manage the day to day running, general maintenance, reporting requirements and capital expenditure of the accommodation service.  Keep and maintain records as required, and undertake regular audits of case records and other reporting mechanisms to ensure a high standard of team compliance to meet accreditation/pre-qualification and legislation requirements.  Keep the State Manager fully briefed about all matters relating to the program and service implementation and report all incidents and issues in line with service guidelines and reporting frameworks. Provide direct support and back up to Senior Management in the delivery of the program as required.  Ensure that Child Safe practices are inherent in working with children and young people in all areas of service delivery, including on and off location,

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Reviewed Date: 5th February 2017 Next Review Date: 5th February 2018 and that children are aware of their rights to a safe and abuse free environment and are aware of how to report any concerns.  Follow the Youth Services Child and Youth Safe Code of Conduct in all interactions with children/young people.  Immediately report any observed or disclosed abuse in line with the reporting processes.  Ensure all children/young people receive information on what constitutes abuse and understand the processes of how to report any concerns of abuse. This should be by way of verbal information and also specific purpose built and age appropriate written information.  Work with children / young people in a way that is respectful and appropriate to any cultural / diverse background and ensure a safe environment is in place.

Provision of High Quality Case Management and Therapeutic Approaches across the Program:

 Oversee the program’s provision of case management and independent living skills program to the young people, working closely with their family and other relevant professionals where appropriate.  Embed a therapeutic approach and ensure skills development of all caregivers in this area.  Assess referrals to the program, assisting and supporting the transition of the young person moving in, out and between the different service tiers.  In conjunction with the team provide practical and person centered case management support to meet the continuum of care arrangements for young people with complex needs as they move through the different tiers. It is expected that the Area Coordinator will manage program participants where their needs are multifaceted and/or there are other particular circumstances, which have resulted in a higher degree of complexity.  Support the participation of young people in all aspects of the development, implementation and review of ISP’s through the direct provision and/or supervision of a key worker relationship.  Ensure good case management support processes by leading and participating in the development and regular review of ISP’s, Behavioural Response Plans, Safety Plans, reportable incidents and therapeutic support. Each young person is to have a ISP that is regularly reviewed and updated.  Ensure care team meetings are actively in place for each young person. This should include internal case management planning meetings and where appropriate multiagency planning meetings.  Facilitate regular group supervision within team and provide individual de- briefing as required.  Ensure development of team members to build capability, knowledge and quality service delivery  Participate in service and OHS accreditation activities  All other reasonable duties as directed by Manager/Supervisor.

3. Team Work

 Participate as a valued team member of the state leadership team promoting and contributing to a supportive team environment and quality service for Young People.  Lead regular team meetings to ensure a cohesive team exists and

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Reviewed Date: 5th February 2017 Next Review Date: 5th February 2018 consistency in supporting planning across the different tiers of the accommodation program is achieved.

4. Communication

 Communicate effectively with all stakeholders, clients and caregivers using the appropriate channels, utilising appropriate formal and informal channels of communication.  Create a harmonious and productive working environment by setting and adhering to high personal integrity and performance standards at all times.  Maintain positive and clear professional relationships with colleagues and young people in the program.

5. Quality and Risk

 Participate in, contribute to and implement quality improvement and risk management into all aspects of service

6. Occupational Health and Safety

 Adhere to all applicable St John of God Health Care policies and guidlines;  Take reasonable care of themselves and others;  Not to interfere, bypass or misuse any system or equipment provided for health, safety and welfare purposes;  Take all actions to avoid, eliminate or minimize hazards;  Seek information on any work they undertake and be aware of the risks and hazards associated with their work;  Report all incidents / hazards / injuries;  Assist in completion of incidents / hazards / injuries reports;  Participate in the documentation of Risk Assessments and Standard Operating Procedures for activities that could pose a OHS risk;  Raise OHS issues with appropriate caregivers and take part in OHS consultative arrangements;  Use Personal Protective Equipment as required and directed;  Attend all mandatory and recommended OHS training as scheduled by Group Services;  Promote a positive safety culture within their areas by demonstrating a positive commitment to OHS.

7. Child Safety Standards

 Ensure that Child Safe practices are inherent in working with children and young people in all areas of service delivery, including on and off location.  Ensure that children are aware of their rights to a safe and abuse free environment and are aware of how to report any concerns.  Immediately report any suspected, observed or disclosed abuse in line with the reporting processes, to line manager with view to it being reported to relevant protective authority.  Work with children / young people in a way that is respectful and appropriate to any cultural / diverse background and ensure a safe environment is in place.

8. Environment

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Reviewed Date: 5th February 2017 Next Review Date: 5th February 2018  The caregiver, recognising St John of God Health Care commitment to responsible environmental stewardship, will support the organisational Environmental goals in performance of all duties.

9. Key Competencies

 Highly developed interpersonal and leadership skills including those associated with Caregiver supervision, and an understanding of performance and human resource management principles.  Well developed understanding of theoretical perspectives such as loss and grief, attachment, trauma, resilience and connectedness, child and adolescent development and the capacity to apply a range of therapeutic intervention strategies based on these theories.  Demonstrated training and competence in managing challenging behaviours in young people and guiding other caregivers in consistent and skilled approaches, based on therapeutic principles.  Demonstrated experience in complex case management.  Effective team and operational management skills  Strong risk management skills with effective, flexible and sound problem solving skills.  Excellent liaison, communication and negotiation skills, enabling representation and networking at a Regional and State level where required.  Working knowledge of current developments and policy in the delivery of services to children and young people in the out of home care sector.  Competency with Office suite including word and excel with the ability to enter data and keep records using various IT programs.  Ability to treat young peoples’ concerns with respect, tact, sensitivity, whilst being aware of the limits that are required by confidentiality and the necessary boundaries that govern the youth/youth worker relationship.

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Reviewed Date: 5th February 2017 Next Review Date: 5th February 2018 SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

 A willingness and capacity to embrace the Mission and Values of St John of God Health Care.  Tertiary qualification from a recognised University and/or TAFE College in Youth Work, Social Work, Social Science, Psychology or equivalent and at least five years’ experience working in a similar field.  Adhere to pre-employment immunisation policy and possession of a current: a. State driver’s license b. First Aid Certificate c. Working with Children Card

 A good understanding of the particular challenges involved in service delivery to Youth at Risk in the out of home care sector. Further, demonstrated ability to act with a high level of professional integrity and emotional resilience whilst working with and supporting a team to meet the needs of vulnerable young people who have been exposed to trauma.  Demonstrated experience in the provision of complex case management and managing challenging behaviours in young people, and the ability and to provide sound advice and professional development to staff within a therapeutic context.  Well-developed management, and leadership abilities, including the capacity to capture a program “vision” and communicate it to the team so they join to achieve it.  Demonstrated training and experience in the provision of professional and effective supervision of staff.  Experience in program supervision, coordination and/or development.  High level of verbal and written communication skills and computer literacy.  Significant experience and success in establishing and maintaining positive working relationships within community networks; and building and maintaining effective communications with key community stakeholders and service providers in government and community sectors.  Demonstrated management experience in effectively running services to deliver quality services within budget, meet service KPIs and establish a effective team  Demonstrated capacity to take initiative, work independently and as a

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Reviewed Date: 5th February 2017 Next Review Date: 5th February 2018 team.  Participation in the out of hour’s roster as On Call Manager.

Desirable:

 5 years’ experience in provision of direct therapeutic care to at-risk young people in a residential care setting.  Knowledge of local resources and support services for young people.  Strong project management skills and experience in facilitation of continuous quality improvement frameworks.  Experience in training staff.

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Reviewed Date: 5th February 2017 Next Review Date: 5th February 2018