Position Description Our Mission is to enhance the lives of young people in care through the preservation and improvement of health, personal development and well-being. Position Title:

Team Leader

Position Classification:

Employment Contract

Program:

Operations

Hours:

38 hours per week Monday – Friday roster Between hours of 8am and 11pm

No of direct reports:

Nil

Position Location:

Reports to:

Area Manager

Location:

Position Summary The purpose of the Team Leader role is to provide leadership and direction to a team of direct care workers within the Premier Youthworks (PYW) Residential Services Program, and ensure the Case Plans are implemented for each child and young person in PYW Care. The Team Leader is also responsible for role modeling appropriate conduct and ensuring all members of their team are in compliance with PYW Policies and Procedures.

Key Accountabilities 1.

Ensure the delivery of quality service provision to children and young people in PYW care through direct care worker teams. 2. Provide leadership and motivation to direct care workers through support and demonstrated understanding of Behaviour Support Plans, Case Plans and Placement Plans and general PYW policies and procedures. 3. Provide point-of-contact assistance during allocated shifts (8.00am to 11.00pm, 7.6hrs per shift or as otherwise agreed) 4. Liaise with the Area Manager to enhance teamwork and delivery of service requirements. 5. Ensure daily tasks are carried out to meet children and young people’s needs in a timely and accurate way. 6. Participate in WHS initiatives and conduct WHS inspections within direct care workers. 7. Assist in the recruitment process for direct care workers. 8. Actively participate in clinical review meetings, team meetings and supervision as directed by the Area Manager. 9. Assist in the development and delivery of operational training to direct care workers as required and in consultation with the Area Manager, Psychologist and HR. 10. Other tasks as identified and allocated by the Area Manager.

Skills and Competencies Qualifications and Experience    

Tertiary qualification in Social Work, Social Sciences, Management or equivalent State/Territory Drivers Licence First Aid certificate Demonstrated experience as a care worker or in a similar role 1

Position Description: Team Leader 18.2.14

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Demonstrated leadership experience Demonstrated experience in complying with core business policies including Workplace Health and Safety, EEO, Bullying and Harassment Experience in the use of Microsoft Office, or equivalent software Experience in conducting training and coaching staff Recruitment experience Excellent written, oral and interpersonal skills

Skills and Knowledge        

Analytical and problem solving skills Highly developed verbal and written communication skills Sound skills in conflict resolution and mediation Clear understanding of basic leadership requirements Ability to manage high volume workloads Demonstrated understanding of the needs, rights and expectations of children and young people from challenging backgrounds Knowledge of the context and impact of issues arising from children and young people being in OOHC Sound knowledge of local resources and support services.

Behavioural Competencies 1.

Initiative and Responsibility Takes personal responsibility for their own work and actions. Initiates timely decisions and commits to definite courses of action independently. Effectively expresses own ideas and vision, and acts on own accord in a confident proactive, and self-motivated manner to generate activity or change.

2.

Interpersonal Communication Communicates in a clear and logical manner, using logical structure, accurate grammar, and language tailored to the audience; uses active listening to understand the audience’s background, needs, expectations and reactions.

3.

Continuous Learning Actively seeks ideas, information, and different perspectives. Rapidly learns, understands and assimilated new information. Learns from both successes and mistakes and is responsive to feedback from others. Continuously enhances own knowledge and skills through professional development and effectively manages information.

4.

Creativity and Innovation Introduces original and/or innovative ideas and solutions to work related issues. Identifies fresh approaches and shows a willingness to see things from a variety of perspectives. Uses new ideas to initiate improvement and/or changes in the workplace.

5.

Development of Others Fosters the long term clinical learning and development of the operational team through a commitment to the development and delivery of quality training via group and one on one sessions.

6.

Influence Ability to influence team members and create support for clinical directions when facing opposition. Does not allow personal emotions to influence professional effectiveness, and openly demonstrates a sense of dedication to the organisation and strategic direction and works to reflect the positives in all activities.

7.

Teamwork and Cooperation Works effectively within a team through collaboration, active listening, support, understanding and respect, to develop cohesive relationships and achieve mutual goals. Understands the

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importance of their individual contribution to the teams they belong to. Establishes, builds and maintains rapport and fruitful working relationships inside and outside immediate teams. Networks effectively with others, relates well to people of all backgrounds and at all levels. 8.

Planning and Organising Identifies priorities and sets objectives. Assists in planning and/or monitoring of tasks, projects, activities, people and/or resources. Establishes contingencies and maintains time effectively.

9.

Flexibility and Resilience Effectively copes with and adapts to changing tasks, responsibilities, priorities, pressures, and/or different audiences. Deals well with ambiguity at work, and is accepting of new ideas. Handles criticism well and adjusts their personal style as appropriate. Maintains optimism and emotional control.

10. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Identifies and gathers information, probes for clarity, thinks systematically, evaluates and integrates key issues and problems, to generate rational and appropriate conclusions and solutions.

Selection Criteria Essential 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

8. 9.

Desirable Tertiary qualifications in Social Work, Social Sciences, Management or similar Drivers licence First Aid certificate Minimum of one year experience plus in the OOHC sector Strong leadership, teamwork and communications skills Sound written and verbal communication skills Demonstrated understanding of the needs, rights and expectations of children and young people from challenging backgrounds Knowledge of the context and impact of issues arising from children and young people being in OOHC Proficient in Microsoft Office software

1. 2. 3.

Sound knowledge of local resources and support services. Leadership experience Experience in training staff

Position Delegations 1.

Clinical

Contribute to therapeutic and behaviour decisions in relation to children and young people in the care of PYW 3.

Financial

No delegations.

2.

Policy and Procedure

Contribution to PYW policy and procedure where required or requested. 4.

PYW employee

Supervision, coaching of direct care workers in your team.

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1.

Compliance and Audit

Ensure compliance with PYW policy and procedure and contribute to the audit process.

Position Relationships The position holder will need to communicate regularly with young people, employee’s, community service representatives and other service providers, parents and significant others, in order to understand their requirements, manage their expectations and provide case work services. Internal Relationships

External Relationships

Director

Funding bodies

CEO

Health and other professionals relevant to young people’s care

Area Manager Business and administration employees Children and Young People Direct Carers

Office for Children, Youth and Family Support – Regional Units, Case Workers, Case Work Managers, Regional Management Youth Justice – Probation and parole officers, Case Workers, Psychological Services, Custodial staff Education and Training Directorate – Teachers, Principals, School Counsellors Commission for Children and Young People

Reporting Relationships Immediate Manager:

Other Positions reporting to this position:

Area Manager

PYW Caseworkers Administration employees

Organisation and Work Environment Organisation Premier Youthworks provides therapeutic support and residential programs for children and young people who have experienced significant trauma, abuse and neglect. The organisation operates under a philosophy of Unconditional Positive Regard, meaning we are able to provide a consistent, predictable environment that allows children and young people to feel valued and safe. Our goal is to provide a consistent team approach, providing positive outcomes for children and young people through the development of self-esteem, living skills and independence. Premier Youthworks believe that a consistent approach, based on individual strengths, is fundamental to unlocking the potential for young people in care and the personal development of our people. Psychologists are engaged in each demographic area of PYW to support young people, carers and employees. Program Overview

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The Premier Youthworks model provides out of home care for children and young people who have suffered personal trauma, abuse or neglect through the early stages of life. Our program operates as part of an integrated service with Family and Community Services, providing respite, short-term, medium-term, long-term therapeutic residential care and semi-independence for children and young people in need. Our team of residential care workers also provides both out of home care and non-residential support services such as youth work support, mentoring and provision of supervised family contact. Work Environment Young people in the care of PYW may present with a variety of clinical and support needs characteristics, including:     

High frequency and intensity of challenging or offending behaviour with the potential for serious damage or injury to self, others and/or property; Placement breakdown due to the challenging behaviours they present; Poor adaptive skills and subsequent high level of instructional needs; Access to community settings constrained by severity and nature of challenging behaviours; and Significant attachment issues and poor social skills.

Additional challenges include the need to provide advice and clinical guidance to a range of staff with differing professional backgrounds, levels of training/experience and understanding of issues relating to young people. The position holder may at times be required to make objective recommendations when competing interests and views lead to conflicting positions. This may also involve giving advice where there are no precedents set or there are limited options. Balancing the immediate and longer term needs of a young person or the presenting context may provide challenges as will the need to develop and maintain effective working partnerships with families, service providers, funding and casework organisations and peers. Where there are financial or administrative implications for PYW, there will be close liaison with the CEO, who has the responsibility for decision making and resourcing in these areas.

Key Performance Indicators KPI

Descriptor

Measures

1.

Consultation

To liaise with and consult with key stakeholders, including government agencies, service providers, children and young people, families and carers

       

Clinical Review Meetings Case Plans Behaviour Support Plans Relevant Reports Employee feedback Management feedback External feedback Case Plan and Conferencing Meetings

2.

Leadership

To provide leadership, support and direction to the team of Residential Care Workers in your portfolio of responsibility

      

Team Meetings Supervision Reports Performance Reports Employee Feedback Management Feedback Clinical Review Meeting minutes Cultural survey outcomes

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3.

4.

Policy and Procedure

Teamwork

Ensure compliance with Federal, State and Territory laws, funding body requirements and PYW policy and procedure

 

Demonstrates sound teamwork through consultation, active listening, support, understanding and respect.

   

Role modelling of ‘Above the Line’ behaviours.

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        

 5.

Safety

Work safely and in compliance with PYW policy and procedure, while always looking for opportunities to identify risks and resolving them through clinical practice.

       

Federal, State and Territory laws Funding Agreements and Policies PYW policy and procedure Case Plans Case Files Reports Demonstrated Knowledge Management Feedback Employee Feedback External Feedback Supervision Notes Management feedback Peer feedback Team meeting minutes Demonstrated ‘Above the Line’ behaviours Shares information freely Takes responsibility within the team Involves and supports others to get things done Demonstrated safe work practices Compliance with PYW WHS policy and procedure Management feedback Peer feedback Identification of safety risks and acts to resolve these Case Plans Case Management meetings Teamwork meeting minutes

General PYW Policy Statements Workplace Health and Safety PYW is committed to a safe workplace for all employees, young people and people affected by our organisation. All employees have a responsibility to ensure they meet their WHS obligations at all times. These obligations are met through actions, decisions and use of safe work practices to ensure the health, safety of relevant persons, including themselves. EEO PYW is committed to the policy that discrimination, harassment, bullying and victimisation in the workplace will not be tolerated. All employees have a responsibility to ensure that they do not act in a way that constitutes harassment or discrimination against other employees and to help maintain a work environment free of harassment and victimisation. Code of Conduct PYW’s Code of Conduct provides the models of behaviour and values that employee’s should demonstrate to support PYW’s ethical position and culture. All employees have the responsibility to make themselves aware of and to comply with the Code of Conduct.

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Living Vales Everything we do is underpinned by our core values, the PYW Living Values, which are: Freedom Cooperation

Peace

Happiness

Respect

Humility

Love Unity

Honesty Simplicity

Tolerance Responsibility

PYW was the first commercial organisation in Australia, to undertake and embrace Living Values as the culture from which the business operates, providing a holistic environment that promotes expression and interpretation of these values. Confidentiality PYW employees are required to protect the identity and personal information of the children and young people in our care. Sensitive information should remain confidential and not be disclosed to any person outside of PYW.

Attachments 1. 2. 3. 4.

Organisational Chart Living Values Overview Statement Strategic Plan Summary Fair Work Statement

Incumbent Declaration I agree that I have read and understood the Position Description for Psychologist as detailed above. Print Name Signature Date

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