ROLE DESCRIPTION
1.
ROLE DETAILS
Role Title
Supervisor, Relative and Kinship Care
Role No
Classification Level
AHP3
Discipline
Allied Health
Professional
Division
Families SA
Date Created
July 2011
Branch/Unit
Relative and Kinship Care
Date Approved
July 2011
Reports To
Manager, Relative and Kinship Care
Review Date
July 2013
2.
ROLE CONTEXT
Role Summary
Reporting/Working
Relationships
Special Conditions
3.
The Supervisor, Relative and Kinship Care is a role within Families SA and is accountable to the
Manager, Relative and Kinship Care for:

providing leadership and management to a multi-disciplinary team primarily comprising
Relative Care Support Workers.

managing and modelling professional social work practice within Relative and Kinship Care.

promoting and managing high quality practice within the team.


developing services that are relevant, appropriate and accessible to the State’s Relative and
Kinship Care population.
improving social and emotional wellbeing for individuals, families and communities by
developing high quality services that are culturally appropriate and encourage consumer
participation through collaboration with key stakeholders.

Manager of Relative and Kinship Care (direct line Manager).

Business Office Supervisors and staff.

Directors and Senior Managers across DCSI.

Non-government and Community based organisations.

Local Government.

Other government departments involved in management of service agreements for community
funding.

Successful applicant will be required to satisfactorily complete a Background Screening and
National Criminal History Record Check (NCHRC) prior to being employed and every three
years.

Some out of hours work may be required.

A current driver’s licence is essential.

Intrastate travel involving overnight absences may be required.

The incumbent may be assigned to another position at this remuneration level or its
equivalent.
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential

A degree level qualification in Social Work leading to eligibility for (full) membership of the
Australian Association of Social Workers.
“Pursuant to Section 65 of the Public Sector Act, 2009 people of Australian Aboriginal or Torres
Strait Islander descent applying for positions within Families SA who have the appropriate
background, knowledge and skills but not the listed formal tertiary qualifications in social worker,
are eligible to apply for social work positions”
4.
PRIMARY OUTCOMES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
RELATED TASKS
Leadership & Management

Develop positive working relationships between relative and kinship carers, and all key
stakeholders.

Provide supervision, staff development and appraisals, manage work pressures and conflict
resolution.

Develop and facilitate strategies to build and maintain a cohesive team to support client care.

Encourage and support team member participation in decision making at the local and
regional level.

Contribute to a work environment where staff are encouraged to develop their competence
and provided with opportunities for professional development.

Support the interests, rights and needs of relative and kinship carers across the state of South
Australia within the legislative framework, duty of care principles and State and National
Foster /Alternative care standards.

Contribute to professional knowledge base of team members.

Reinforce professional ethics and standards in decision making.

Identify opportunities to develop and ensure consultation and client participation in a holistic
manner where possible.

Make sure provision of services which enhance outcomes for clients of the agency and in
particular improve outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Provide a responsive and accountable support service to relative and kinship carers;
facilitating a transparent service delivery model in liaison with Families S.A Business Office
Social Workers.

Develop services that are relevant, culturally appropriate, and accessible to all client groups
and have included opportunity for consumer participation, with a focus on disabled and
Aboriginal clients.

Identify barriers, and facilitate options / resources for relative and kinship carers in achieving
outcomes of safety, security and care of children, young people and their families.

Develop, implement and evaluate services and programs to meet those needs.

Build partnerships with other agencies and groups so that there is increased capacity to
respond to identified needs of relative and kinship carers.

Make sure that carer’s concerns are addressed and reviewed effectively in collaboration with
the allocated worker.

Understand and follow workplace safety initiatives, identify hazards and contribute to a safe
working environment, as well as follow procedures to manage and minimise risks within the
DCSI.

Follow the principles of a sustainable working environment by following departmental greening
initiatives.

Model ethical behaviour and practices consistent with SA Government Code of Ethics for
Public Sector Employees and DCSI stated values.
Professional Social Work
Practise and Standards
Client Services
Organisational Contribution
Page 2
5.
DCSI CAPABILITIES
Relating & Communicating
Client Focus
Achieving Objectives
Personal Drive &
Professionalism
Continuous Improvement
Respect Cultural Diversity
6.

Develop strategic networks to increase team/unit effectiveness and achieve departmental
goals.

Communicate clearly on complex issues with key stakeholders.

Identify current and/or potential team conflicts and implement strategies to guide and support
team members.

Promote and model high standards in client service.

Implement improved strategies and service standards to increase effectiveness.

Communicate client service vision to clients and key stakeholders.

Manage current resources and develop plans to maximise use of available resources.

Prioritise work loads of individuals/team and implement strategies to manage time effectively.

Take ownership of team performance and action corrective measures when necessary.

Inspire and motivate others to achieve organisational values by modelling appropriate
behaviours and actions.

Provide leadership and advice to team members to achieve action plans.

Provide a safe and healthy workplace for team/unit, and identify and act on potential
workplace risks and hazards.

Lead change and develop new concepts and procedures to improve services and maximise
performance.

Encourage and lead others to provide innovative solutions and challenge current policies or
procedures.

Monitor decision making processes to adapt to changing client and organisational needs

Take action and provide services that are inclusive of Aboriginal people and people from
culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds as well as engaging in learning about other
cultures to better establish relationships and improve services.
ROLE SPECIFIC CAPABILITIES
1
Building Teams - develop effective working relationships, and provide advice and communicate effectively with management,
staff at all levels and with a diverse group of individuals.
2
Conflict Resolution – clarify situations, act impartially and use influence, negotiation and persuasion to effectively mediate the
conflict and devise a workable solution.
3
Coaching and Developing Others – provide advice, guidance and support to the team as well as sharing agency knowledge
and experience to develop others.
4
Assessing and Minimising Client Risk – understand and evaluate the factors that contribute to client/family risk and develop
action plans to reduce or eliminate the risks.
7.
DELEGATES APPROVAL
ASSESSED BY:
Date:
Signature:
APPROVED BY:
Date:
Signature:
Page 3