Mallee District Aboriginal Services

Position Description

Position Details Title: Kinship Care, Trainee Caseworker Division: Family and Community Team: Family Services Supervisor: Team Leader, Children’s Placement Services Location: Mildura Classification: Social and Community Services Employee Date Approved: 28 November 2017 level 1 MDAS Salary Structure level 1 Award: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award 2010

Position Summary

Aboriginal health, wellbeing, culture and economic prosperity are everyone’s responsibility – But it is MDAS’s core business. MDAS is a proud ACCO (Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation) that has a 30-year history of delivering sustainable, democratic, grassroots services and proving the local community with a vehicle for self- determination. Our vision: Generations of vibrant, healthy and strong Aboriginal communities. The objectives of the MDAS Kinship Care Program are:  To enhance and build on the available informal and formal family and community supports for Aboriginal children living in kinship family arrangements;  To assist extended family networks to provide the best possible kinship care arrangements for children unable to live with their own parents with the minimum level of professional supervision intervention from the formal service system; and  To assist with the establishment, monitoring and support of the kinship care placements arranged for the most vulnerable Aboriginal children as a result of child protection involvement to ensure that they meet each child’s ongoing safety, stability and developmental needs. The Kinship Care, Trainee Caseworker will be responsible for working with all members of the Children’s Placement Services team to support the delivery of service excellence across the Mallee District Aboriginal Services. This will include learning all aspects of the OOHC programs, particularly working with the Home Based and Kinship Care teams. Capabilities

Service Excellence Undertake work efficiently and take direction from senior staff within a team environment. Understanding of and a commitment to continuous improvement and achievement of individual program KPI’s. Skills in managing time and organising own work. Communication Ability to effectively communicate with Aboriginal\Torres Strait Islander people including children and Interpersonal and elders. Skills Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to exercise discretion at all times and, in particular, when dealing with confidential issues. Competent and confident in written and verbal communication and willingness to learn case note and report writing. Technical Ability to operate a personal computer, utilising word-processing and data collection software. Expertise Ability to create, revise, edit and produce documents with particular regard to accuracy, quality and given instructions. Respect Cultural Acknowledge and respect the local Aboriginal culture and its people and facilitate the education Diversity of others around this.

O:\Peopleandculture\HR\Position Descriptions\Family Services\Mildura\Trainee caseworker Kinship Care 28112017.doc Employees Initials: ______Demonstrate knowledge of Aboriginal culture and the special requirements of Aboriginal people. Qualification/s: Will be required to undertake and complete a Certificate III in Community Services within the term of the traineeship. (12mths) Accountabilities Direct Service Delivery  Show respect to the family and communicate honestly, especially about child wellbeing and safety concerns and consequences.  Actively engage families and their children who are living in kinship care arrangements.  Make appointment times and arrangements that suit the client family wherever possible.  Ensure client feedback is sought and responded to according to MDAS Policies and Procedures.  Sight children on a regular basis and seek their views about their care and safety.  Ensure all service provision is inclusive of birth parents and extended family based on child/young person’s best interest, case plan and court orders. Communication and  Ensure email is checked at the beginning and end of each working day Interpersonal Skills  Attend all team and organisation meetings.  Attend weekly supervision with team leader or manager  Develop weekly work plans with team leader or manager and ensure tasks are completed or notify if not possible Planning and Reporting  Become familiar with case note and statistical data entry requirements  Prepare case notes to reflect client contacts, parent’s/child interactions, parental behaviours and the planning implementation and evaluation of care plans.  Work with senior staff to plan weekly service activities.  Actively participate in quality activity reports within your division ensuring that a quality culture of Do, Check and Act is evident in your work conduct. Corporate  Support values that respect historical and contemporary Aboriginal cultures so that Responsibilities Aboriginal people are recognised as having a special connection with the State.  Promote compliance with relevant legislation and MDAS policies.  Assist with and support any internal or external audit processes.  While at work, comply with OH&S requirements as noted in the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004.

Approval Classified by: Signature: Approved by: Signature: Supervisors Employees Name: Name: Supervisors Employees Signature: Signature: ____/_____/______Dated: ____/_____/_____ Dated:

O:\Peopleandculture\HR\Position Descriptions\Family Services\Mildura\Trainee caseworker Kinship Care 28112017.doc Employees Initials: ______