POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position:
Senior Case Manager
Program:
Family Solutions
Classification:
SCHADS Award Level 6 (Social Worker Class 3)
Hours:
Full-time (1.0 EFT) 38 hours per week
Duration:
Limited Tenure - 4 years
Location:
Frankston
Accountability:
This position is directly accountable to the Team Leader Family Solutions
Date:
February 2015
INTRODUCTION
Anglicare Victoria offers a comprehensive network of services to young people, children and their
families / caregivers living across Victoria. We seek to ensure the provision of high quality services
that will bring about significant improvements in the life experience of the young people, children and
families / caregivers with whom we work.
Anglicare Victoria requires that staff commit to continuing to develop their cultural competence.
Anglicare Victoria is committed to equal opportunity and improved outcomes for Aboriginal peoples.
Anglicare Victoria is committed to developing an official Reconciliation Action Plan that bears the
Reconciliation Action Trademark.
OVERVIEW OF PROGRAM
Family Services provides families with support and counselling, within a managed case plan,
designed to improve the lives of children. Individual family work is complemented by group work, and
strategies to both engage families with their communities as well as for communities to be more
responsive to the needs of children and their families. Qualified paid staff and trained volunteers work
collaboratively and respectfully with children and families to build upon their existing strengths, and to
enhance and develop skills and coping strategies.
Family Services aims to address the needs of families with multiple and complex difficulties that
impact on parenting and family life. Many of the families the program works with, have long histories
of involvement with child protection and community agencies and require flexible and innovative
interventions to address their needs, and promote the best social, emotional, educational and health
outcomes for their children. The service targets families with children newborn to 18 years, living in
the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula area.
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POSITION OBJECTIVES
The service seeks to identify, engage and support families that are often notified to Child Protection
services because of the long standing and complex issues, which place children’s wellbeing and
safety at risk. The service has a strong working relationship with Child Protection services.
This new service initiative presents important challenges in terms of;
assessing and addressing risk levels within families
outreaching to families in unpredictable environments
decision making processes particularly in relation to notifications to Child Protection services
maintaining active engagement with families with high needs and fluctuating levels of
motivation
The ongoing development of the service model and support structures will be focussed on addressing
these challenges.
Family Solutions Senior Case Manager will be expected to engage with isolated and vulnerable
families to provide long term interventions and work in partnership with families to:
•
Provide effective case management and therapeutic support to families.
•
Address protective concerns and enhance family functioning whilst ensuring the safety and
wellbeing of the child/ren and all family members.
Family Solutions Senior Case Worker will facilitate:
•
Family empowerment through the provision of supportive interventions and skill development.
•
Family and community connections through the development of supportive links with families,
schools, community groups and services.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1.
Use a range of therapeutic techniques and approaches to engage with families that are
reluctant or ambivalent about using support services.
2.
Establish a working relationship with families that demonstrate respect and honest
communication, particularly about protective concerns and consequences.
3.
Undertake comprehensive assessment of families, which includes both a child development
and systemic perspective.
4.
Work along side community based Child Protection staff in assessing and addressing risk
levels with client families.
5.
Develop and regularly review specific contracts with each family that will form the basis of long
term case management and therapeutic interventions.
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6.
Work with families to build substitute networks within the community that will provide enduring
support and address isolation issues.
7.
Provide group and individual parenting skills development.
8.
Provide individual and group support for children.
9.
Draw on a range of therapeutic frameworks to support families by providing family, individual
and relationship counselling.
10.
Provide practical support particularly for families where there are issues of neglect, utilising
role modelling to assist families to develop skills in this area.
11.
Teach problem solving and coping skills both at an individual level and as a family unit.
12.
Introduce through role-play and modelling, strategies that reduce levels of conflict and change
patterns of interaction so that families experience positive outcomes.
13.
Work with all family members to develop communication skills, which encourage greater
understanding and positive interactions.
14.
Assist client families to obtain goods and services that are necessary for their ongoing viability
as a family unit.
15.
Work with families in such a way that the possibility of positive change becomes a part of their
way of thinking.
16.
Work with families in identifying the motivations and reasons for change, to then acknowledge
the difficulty and hard work required in achieving their goals.
17.
Provide genuine and empathic reflections of change observed within families.
18.
Undertake joint casework with other agencies involved with the family, especially Protective
Services and provide secondary consultations to other professionals.
19.
Participate in regular supervision with the Team Leader.
20.
Participate in action research and the ongoing development of the service model.
21.
Supervise volunteers.
22.
Make an active commitment to the development and maintenance of a cohesive multidisciplinary team and participate in staff meetings, team meetings and staff development
training.
23.
Be involved in an annual performance appraisal.
24.
Fulfill the program requirements regarding case records, statistics and other data collection
requirements.
25.
Ensure familiarity with available therapeutic approaches and strategies, relevant to working
with families.
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26.
Acquire new techniques and strategies that add to the service’s repertoire of knowledge and
skills.
27.
Participate and generate community development and networking activities as required.
28.
Provide mentoring support and guidance to enhance skills development of less experienced
staff and volunteers.
29.
Carry portfolio responsibilities in support of the program’s development as defined by program
management.
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA
1.
A relevant tertiary qualification in social work, psychology, Early Childhood Specialist and/or
related behavioral sciences at degree level; or diploma level with a minimum of three years
relevant experience.
2.
Demonstrated awareness and commitment to working within the ‘Best Interest Principles’
outlined within the Child, Youth and Families Act 2005.
3.
An understanding of the social context of child abuse and neglect.
4.
Demonstrated ability to conduct comprehensive safety and wellbeing assessments and make
sound judgments in relation to prescribed actions.
5.
Demonstrated understanding and application of individual and systemic theories that underpin
casework practice.
6.
Sound understanding of Child Protection system and child welfare work and ability to liaise
and negotiate with DHS Child Protection in relation to addressing protective concerns for
children.
7.
Effective written and verbal communication skills.
8.
Skills in engaging with families who are reluctant to use support services.
9.
Excellent organisational, time management skills, and ability to be self directed.
10.
Ability to think systemically in relation to client action planning, at the same time focusing on
specific issues.
11.
Ability to think broadly and holistically in relation to interventions with children and families.
12.
Computer skills in Microsoft Office packages.
13.
Understanding and appreciation of the community’s cultural diversity.
Desirable skills, knowledge, and experience
1.
Experience in working with families in any of the following services areas; family services, child
protection, housing, domestic violence, mental health and alcohol and other drugs, is desirable.
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TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Salary and conditions are in accordance with the Social, Community, Home Care and
Disability Services Industry Award 2010. Salary packaging is offered with this position.

All offers of employment at Anglicare Victoria are subject to a three month probationary period,
which may be extended to six months. The staff member will be asked to participate in an
annual performance review linked to objectives set out for the position.

All offers of employment are subject to a satisfactory Criminal History Check and must provide
a Working with Children Check prior to commencement.

A current Victorian Driver’s licence is essential and access to a comprehensively insured
motor vehicle, for which mileage will be reimbursed.

Anglicare Victoria is a member of HESTA (Health Employees Superannuation Trust). At
present, we contribute 9.5% of ordinary time earnings to this fund. Staff may elect to choose
their own superannuation fund.
TO APPLY:
Please apply in writing addressing the key selection criteria and nominating three professional
referees to Alexis.Tokarczyk@anglicarevic.org.au .
For further enquires please contact Alexis Tokarczyk on (03) 9781 6700.
Applications close: 5pm, Friday 6 March 2015.
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