Project Worker - Child/Youth & Family

Primary purpose of the role To work directly with children, young people and families to manage, design and implement a range of evidence based community programs, which improve and contribute to better outcomes for children, young people, families, individuals, groups and communities. The delivery of effective support and assistance to disadvantaged people experiencing a number of complex issues requires a combination of integrated approaches, where all those involved work together to enhance an individual’s quality of life. To do this, CCA seeks to work closely with community partners to develop a more efficient, flexible and expanded mix of services that align to people's needs. This will be achieved through four areas of effort which will be the focus of the second phase:  

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Client Focus – client needs are at the centre and are the basis of our activities. A Lifespan approach – building long-term pathways through the service system, to support people from disadvantaged backgrounds at critical periods in the trajectory of their life. A service system with the right capacity – ensuring that the resources are available in ways that meet people's needs efficiently and at the right quality and time. Effective Performance – striving for excellence and continuous improvement. All our programs have a strong evidence based, proven to work.

These priorities are underpinned by current reforms across our program models that focus on person-centred approaches, from early intervention and prevention through to more intensive interventions with children, youth and families.

Our vision is to empower all people to live fulfilling lives and achieve their potential in inclusive communities. We collaborate with government, non-government and community partners to work with children, adults, families and communities to improve lives and realise potential, with a focus on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage.

Key Duties 

Deliver accountable and collaborative casework that respects the culture and context of each young person, family and community and is based on timely sharing of accurate information to ensure that this support meets their identified needs.

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Undertake assessment/investigation and ongoing family work to identify and address safety and risk concerns for children, young people and families.

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Develop and deliver evidence based strategies to engage parents, children and young people where it matters to them, to effect children and young people’s development, provide supports, access to knowledge, skills and services they require to succeed in life. This will include strategies that engage parents and teachers in locations such as early childhood services, schools, churches and in the community.

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Manage, plan and implement multifaceted programs and processes, including developing and monitoring case plans, coordinating resources and monitoring budgets to ensure successful outcomes are achieved.

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Build collaborative working relationships with community partners, stakeholders and government agencies at the local, state and national level.

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Facilitate the development, implementation and evaluation of child, youth, parenting and family programs including deliverables, infrastructure and capacity, media and community-based initiatives, ensuring timely submission of all deliverables to management.

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Ensure effective interface between program development, planning, service design and project implementation.

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Coordinate data collection, analysis, data management, and continuous quality improvement for district wide and community-based prevention strategies.

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Actively work with relevant project leadership team to develop a Ready for Life Ready for Success prevention and intervention plan.

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Actively manage key internal and external stakeholder relationships based on open and regular discussions and feedback. Coordinate and facilitate meetings of case management, interagency members, and community-based programs and stakeholders as necessary for effective planning and implementation.

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Provide training and technical assistance on complex issues or capacity building topics such as primary prevention of domestic family violence, child, youth development, impact of trauma, community mobilisation, understanding and applying best practices and research on culturally competent strategies to engage children, youth, families, professionals and communities, and tools for evaluating prevention effort.

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Coordinate and complete other tasks, as assigned.

Capabilities required for the position Capabilities are a combination of the key skills, knowledge, abilities and behaviours required to competently perform this position.

Knowledge of Child/Youth Development and Strength Based Practice

Has basic knowledge of how children/youth learn and develop in the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive domains. Has basic awareness of how atypical development affects learning, socialisation and physical capabilities. Is able to articulate basic theory about children’s/youth’s physical, emotional, social and cognitive processes; peer group relations and sexuality; and risk and protective factors of youth development. Is familiar with and uses Developmental Assets for children and youth as a basis for program planning and evaluation. Implements practices and programs that communicate and demonstrate an awareness of Child/Youth Development theory, principles and practices. These include: building on strengths rather than focusing on deficits; setting and maintaining high expectations; understanding the centrality of and fostering positive relationships with peers and adults; providing age appropriate and challenging programming; engaging participants as partners, not just as consumers of services ; promoting positive identity formation and helping young people to fully develop their potential.

Sound research commitment and skills around complex issues affecting clients and effective interventions that bring change in the areas of:

Children’s development and needs Youth Work Parent engagement & Family support Working with Fathers Alcohol and Other Drugs Work Child Protection/Juvenile Justice/Statutory Supervision Community Work Mental Health Work (non-clinical) Trauma informed practice Domestic Family Violence

Embracing positive child and youth development principles and practices.

Respects- and values the cultures and traditions of participants, their families and their communities; and treats all participants and staff equally, irrespective of race, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.

Working with Youth groups and individuals

Appreciates the range of abilities and diverse needs of children and youth. Knowledge of the principles and practices of child and youth development and ability to use this knowledge to achieve the goals of the program. Communicates Verbally: Conveys information, using persuasion and bargaining as required to provide clear and persuasive information whilst responding effectively to an audience in a respectful manner. Prepares, presents and effectively facilitates presentations to groups. Influences and Negotiates: Uses persuasive arguments to gain support and cooperation and maintain good relations. Undertakes Analysis: Uses a range of analytical tools and techniques to break down complex problems or issues to reach a solution.

Analytical thinking and problem solving

Customer focused

Works as a team

Takes ownership

Builds strategic partnerships

Technology

Technical/professional leadership

Solves Problems: Develops operational responses to recurring issues based on expertise, and accurate appraisal of facts, causes, assumptions, and different points of view. Demonstrates a System Perspective: Designs innovative practices, processes and procedures which implement systems effectively. Uses Initiative and Innovation: Seeks opportunities to develop innovative and creative solutions aimed at contributing to the organisation’s success. Thinks Strategically: Identifies, develops and guides team priorities and strategies to meet work area objectives. Demonstrates Service Orientation: Seeks to understand customer expectations and priorities in order to provide a quality customer service. Demonstrates Responsiveness: Seeks to understand and address service delivery issues promptly and to implement effective solutions. Is Culturally Aware: Demonstrates commitment, sensitivity and responsiveness to individuals and manages differences in an effective, equitable and consistent way. Treats others Fairly and Equitably: Contributes to fairness and equity by identifying problems and suggesting solutions. Resolves Conflict: Uses conflict resolution principles and techniques to help parties identify a mutually supportable solution. Plans and Organises: Aligns work activities with business objectives, identifies and secures resource requirements, and anticipates and addresses barriers to achievement. Initiates Change: Seeks to motivate others to support change and utilises an understanding of external trends to provide suggestions for improvements in organisational processes and procedures. Understands Operational Environment: Consults widely to gain knowledge of underlying factors and issues affecting the operating environment and acts on this knowledge to find solutions. Acts Proactively: Pre-empts potential problems and takes action to avoid them or minimise their impact on the organisation. Acts with integrity: Understands professional and ethical responsibilities and responds positively and persuasively to unprofessional or unethical behaviour. Understands Government Structure and Key Stakeholders: Demonstrates a solid understanding of the structures and the decision making power or roles in the organisation, government and the wider community. Builds Relationships and Networks: Uses relationships and networks to seek information provide input or position the division and organisation favourably. Uses Technology: Uses computer hardware and windows based software applications at an advanced level. Harnesses Technology: Competently maintains and documents technology processes and procedures. Knows Role and Organisation: Demonstrates a good understanding of whole-of-government and consistently applies professional standards and organisational policy and procedures to ensure efficient delivery. Technical/Occupational/Professional Knowledge: Demonstrates a good knowledge and acceptance of standards, legislation, policies and procedures relevant to the role. Develops and Maintains Capabilities: Keeps current with research and technology in the industry and one’s own professional field.

Applies Technical/Professional Expertise: Applies technical, occupational or professional skills and expertise to achieve work objectives and identify developments to improve organisational performance or client services.

Deliver Results

Personal Attributes Acts with Integrity

Values Diversity Works Collaboratively

Understands business basics and applies basic legal, financial & economic concepts to day to day work. Drives a culture of achievement and acknowledges input of others, understands that on-time and on-budget results are required and how overall success is defined. Represents the organisation in an honest, ethical and professional way and encourage others to do so. Acts to prevent and report misconduct, illegal and inappropriate behaviour. Supports initiatives that create an environment in which diversity is valued. Encourages a culture of recognising the value of collaboration and identifies opportunities to work collaboratively with other teams/units.

Thinks and Solves Problems

Anticipates, identifies and address issues and potential problems and select the most effective solutions from a range of options.

Business Enablers Project Management

Prepares accurate estimates of costs and resources required for more complex projects. Evaluates progress and identifies improvements to inform future projects.