Position Description Guide

The Salvation Army Australia Southern Territory POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title After Hours Crisis Accommodation Employee Name Date JUN 2014 Support Worker (Casual) Division/ Eastern Victoria Division Organisational Unit/ Gateways Program, Youth & Residential Services, Entity/Location Department EastCare Network

THE SALVATION ARMY INTERNATIONAL MISSION STATEMENT The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human need in His name without discrimination.

AUSTRALIA SOUTHERN TERRITORY’S MISSION AND VALUES Mission Values The mission of The Salvation Army Australia The values of The Salvation Army Australia Southern Territory are: Southern Territory is:  Human dignity: respecting the sanctity of human life as being made in the image  Transforming lives: working for personal of God. We affirm the worth and capacity of all people. renewal through Jesus Christ, that touches  Justice: acting with integrity and fairness, without discrimination, and being an and integrates the whole person advocate for the disadvantaged; managing all resources responsibly as stewards.  Caring for people: engaging with others We promote healthy and whole relationships, and good society. in need, without discrimination  Hope: sharing the gospel of Jesus as a gracious invitation to wholeness. We  Making Disciples: patterning lives on work for reconciliation, healing and transformation for all people and creation. Jesus  Compassion: engaging with others in the Spirit of Jesus. We feel compelled to  Reforming Society: acting on the stand with and do something about another’s suffering. structures of society to restore justice  Community: owning our common humanity as we engage with people, working and journeying together, for mutual capacity building. We build community and meet with God in our encounter with others.

All employees in non-ministry positions in The Salvation Army are expected to work in accordance with the Australia Southern Territory’s mission and values and comply with Official Minutes, policies and procedures. Position reports to Team Leader, Gateways Program Reportable Positions NA

Position Purpose Gateways is a crisis accommodation facility for single adults (over 25 years) and families based in the Eastern Division. The site is staffed 24 hours, 7 days a week. Gateways accommodates and supports persons that are experiencing Primary Homelessness and who may have mental health and drug and alcohol issues and / experiencing family violence. The Gateways team consists of a Manager, Team Leader, case support workers and afterhours support teams. The role of the After Hours team is to ensure the safety and well-being of all clients and staff overnight and on weekends. It is an expectation of the After Hours team to operate in keeping with the Case Management Plan for each client and the policies and procedures of The Salvation Army.

Qualifications Tertiary qualifications at Diploma level or higher in the Social Work, Community Development or Welfare fields is required. Professional experience and highly developed skills in working with single adults and families with accompanying children / adolescents, who may display multiple and complex behaviours are desirable. Award (if applicable) Social, Community, Home Care and Classification Social Work stream, Level 4, Pay Point Disability Services Industry Award to be determined 2010 Resource Management N/A Total staff management (EFT) N/A Prerequisites Current Victorian Drivers License, satisfactory Police Check and Working with Children Check.

Personal Competencies Required Job Competencies Required  Willingness to work in accordance with The Salvation Army’s  Ability to work co-operatively and constructively in the interests of mission and values, and comply with Official Minutes, policies and clients. procedures.  Highly developed written and verbal communication skills.  Experience and ability to formulate options and implement strategies for singles, families and young people.

 Demonstrated integrity in dealing with clients, staff and other  Ability to work within a case management model as well as working organisations and demonstrated capacity to work within a team. on a one to one basis with clients.  Commitment to working with the most disadvantaged and  Sound conflict resolution and management skills that maximise the chronically homeless adults, youth and families, with accompanying personal safety of all staff and residents involved whilst addressing children, who may display multiple and complex behaviours. issues.  Ability to address issues and problems quickly, creatively and  Knowledge of crisis intervention and the ability to access a wide resourcefully and the ability to cope with demanding situations. range of relevant community resources on behalf of clients.  Commitment to achieving and maintaining service standards.  Effective skills in engaging and working with the target client group and demonstrated ability to build effective relationships that enable resolution of issues in consultation with others.  Highly developed, solution focussed, problem solving skills utilising  Good knowledge of administrative duties and familiarity with appropriate options / actions. computerised client records and information systems relevant to the operation of a residential service.  Developed computer and information system skills.

Key Result Areas Key Activities Standard Measures Intake and  Assess and process referrals (7 days per week  Referrals are assessed in accordance with program Assessment including after-hours and weekends) from the relevant criteria and policies. Procedures Opening Door Programs and perform client intake and  Client risk assessments are completed with risks assessment. clearly identified, documented and mitigation strategies  Practice sound assessment, referral and intervention in place. strategies within a crisis framework.  Clients have the conditions, contract of stay,  Clients are given all relevant program information and evacuation procedures and program structure all realistic housing / support options are explored. explained to them.  Client data is recorded and maintained in accordance with the National privacy principles and policies.  All urgent and immediate needs of clients are addressed prior to or upon their arrival.  Clients understand their rights as a client of the service including Gateways Grievance Procedures and rights under The Privacy Act.  Clients are made to feel welcome, supported and resourced. Client Support  Work in collaboration with the Gateways Day Case  Be adequately aware of current client situations and Management team to provide support consistent with needs.

0d6a7e9063fe000fcacae4acd6e21471.docx Page 3 Key Result Areas Key Activities Standard Measures the Case Management Plan.  Continuity Log notes are entered and emailed to  Protect the safety and wellbeing of all residents and appropriate day staff. their children who are accommodated through  Clients are assisted in relation to grievance procedures Gateways. with either EastCare or external services where  Be aware of client rights, HASS standards and required. relevant legislation, and support the client through  Clients requiring assistance are provided with or Grievance Procedures and the HAS Advocacy referred to material aid and other services as required. service.  A sound working knowledge of all relevant  Develop a sound knowledge of both resources and accommodation, support agencies and alternative services available within EastCare and the general treatment options for homeless people is maintained. community sector.  Sound working relationships are established with the  Undertake and facilitate varied after-hours program staff of other services used by Gateways clients. duties as required, including meals programs.  Manage client issues that may arise after-hours, including weekends. Responsibilities,  Ensure that the site facilities are safe, secure and  All concerns of well-being and safety of residents are reporting and critical supportive for all residents and staff. investigated, documented and where appropriate, incidents  React appropriately to situations onsite to ensure the Critical Incident Reports are completed and reported to safety of staff, clients, volunteers and visitors. the Manager, Team Leader or On Call Manager as soon as possible.  Sound understanding of the Gateways Emergency and Evacuation Procedures and appropriate actions.  Continuity Log is updated regularly to ensure that all staff have up-to-date and accurate information at all  Accurately assess and manage crisis situations and times. use resources such as ADT security patrols, duress alarms and emergency services.  Responsibility is taken for appropriate levels of cleanliness and hygiene in the work environment.  Incidents are dealt with appropriately and fairly.  Responsibility for creating a safe and secure environment in accordance with TSA and EastCare Work Health Health & Safety Policies.

Communication,  Ensure that shifts are commenced on time and  Arrive promptly for all shifts and be prepared to provide resources and preparation has occurred for receiving and giving hand over information to the next Support Worker. information sharing hand over information to staff. Key Result Areas Key Activities Standard Measures  Share relevant client, program, training and other  The Continuity Log is read and updated at intervals resource information with co-workers and throughout shifts. management.  All staff emails are read during every shift.  Ensure that the Continuity Log and SAMIS is  iNotes is used to record Continuity Log, send email processed adequately and portrays clients changing messages, arrange meetings, distribute Minutes and circumstances, risk factors and support needs. disseminate information.  Maintain computer based case management /  Computer based data recording and case information recording system including case files, management systems for all client are updated. case notes, site register, Continuity Log, notice boards and data collection in accordance with the Gateways  All information and case file notes are maintained in a Program procedural policies and SAMIS data timely manner and updated daily. recording.  Accurate and comprehensive client / site hand over  Call the on call worker for guidance and instruction in occur at both the start and end of each shift. accordance with the Gateways On Call Policy. Service delivery and  Ensure work practices are consistent with existing  Client database and Continuity Log is kept updated in administration service delivery procedures and structures. accordance with EastCare policies and requirements. procedures  Maintain computer based client records as well as  Use of computer system, Internet and email systems administrative procedures as per requirements of professionally, appropriately and in accordance with program. TSA policy.  Timesheets and TSA information are accessed via the  Demonstrated sound knowledge of agency policies Network QUICKR system. and procedures as outlined on QUICKR.  Remain up to date with changes in internal policies and procedures by reading the manuals and information bulletins on a regular basis. WHS and Risk  Be familiar with and operate within TSA WH&S  Work is undertaken within TSA/EastCare WH&S Management guidelines, WH&S legislation, The Salvation Army and Policies & Procedures. EastCare Policy and requirements.  Site maintenance requests are reported to the Team  Report incidents and hazards to the Team Leader and leader or managed in the most appropriate way in the Manager event of an emergency.  To call emergency services or Maintenance Call  WH&S Management Representative or WH&S Staff Centre to have urgent site issues dealt with. Representative is notified immediately of any urgent

0d6a7e9063fe000fcacae4acd6e21471.docx Page 5 Key Result Areas Key Activities Standard Measures WH&S concerns.  The Team Leader is notified of any relevant WH&S issues.  Always comply and actively support TSA WH&S policies, procedures and guidelines.  All equipment is used safely in accordance with manufacture instructions and EastCare WH&S polices. Professional  Raise in supervision with Team Leader any training or  Training needs / options are discussed regularly in Development skill development required. supervision and through review of appraisal.  Undertake professional development as negotiated  Attend professional development training, internal and with Team Leader. external to EastCare in accordance with EastCare policies and procedures. Domestic Duties  Clean vacant rooms / houses on weekends or after  All vacant rooms / houses are cleaned and re-listed hours as required and post them on the e-business within a reasonable number of hours. registry.  All client linen is washed and restored in the cupboard.  Wash dirty linen from vacated client rooms.  All spills and rubbish are attended to immediately.  All spills and rubbish in communal areas are  The office and communal spaces in the front office responded to in keeping with WH&S regulations. area are always clean and safe.  Ensure the duty room, intake room and reception areas are clean, tidy and safe for clients, their children, visitors and staff.