• Award: EST 4
  
• Mode: Full-Time
  
• Contract: Short-term (options to extend).

Introduction

At Phoenix House Youth Services we relate our success directly to the strength of our team and the positive contribution we make to our clients.

To continue operating at the highest standard we are seeking an Education Specialist to join the team. In this role you will support the Social Work, Wellbeing and Counselling functioning of our team in the delivery of services funded by the Department of Communities & Justice (DCJ).

You will report to the Head of Organisation, and will have interactions with a wide range of clients from diverse backgrounds.

The core functioning of the role will be to provide flexible education programs for young people with specific and challenging needs, and who have disengaged from mainstream education.

The curriculum for these programs would vary from pre-established programs (including those relating to literacy & numeracy) to programs developed through your assessment of community / client needs.

As part of the functioning of the role, the successful applicant would also need to be comfortable delivering, or assisting in the delivery of other client programs, such as group activities.

Benefits of working in Phoenix House Youth Services include:

• A small, inclusive and caring culture;
• An attractive renumeration package including superannuation;
• Very flexible working conditions; and
• Personal career satisfaction.

Objectives of the Role

In accordance with the ongoing functioning of Phoenix House Youth Services the position will be required to:

• Develop, deliver, and / or continually-process improve our special-assistance / alternative education programs.
• Deliver, and assist in the delivery of group programs with clients.
• Collaborate with Social Work staff to deliver wrap-around support in educational programs.
• Assist in the development, and management of programs outside of the annual Business Plan to provide supplementary assistance to groups of clients, acquit new / existing grants, or develop areas identified in the organisational strategy.

Key Responsibilities

As the Education Specialist, the role will:

• Liaise with the Social Worker to collaborate on pre-assessments for clients entering alternative / special-assistance education programs.
• Deliver alternative / special-assistance education programs to cohorts of clients (when necessary, preparing Individual Education Plans for clients to supplement their learning).
• Liaise with other Phoenix House staff members to coordinate other wellbeing supplements,
• Liaise with external stakeholders directly related to advocacy and assistance services for clients (including, but not limited to education, juvenile justice, local councils, housing providers, other social service providers, etc.).
• Maintain established timelines in-relation to client service periods,
• Assist in maintaining the delivery of group service programs,
• Assist in the collaborative growth of Phoenix House programs,
• Provide other assistance where necessary in the delivery of services under the acquittal of government-funded contracts.

Role Capability

The role is expected to:

• Implement transparent and accountable decision making in relation to client needs,
• Maintain a high level of communication and collaboration with staff and others;
• Provide individualised, and engaging educational programs to vulnerable youth disengaged from traditional education on Sydney’s North Shore,
• Maintain a strong oversight and understanding of the DCJ’s contractual requirements for social service.

Criteria

The criteria for the Social Worker role includes:

Essential:

1. Minimum 4 years' experience in the delivery of classroom programs.
2. Secondary Teaching Qualification (NESA: Proficient Level)
3. Broad experience in the area of the social assistance industry, or related programs.
4. Comfort in using data reporting systems
5. Criminal History Record Check and Working with Children Check required.

Desirable:

1. Experience working with young people / mental health & homelessness.
2. Experience in the areas of alternative education, special-assistance education or study-support programs.
3. Experience in social work, counselling, in social-assistance programs or the not-for-profit sector.

Duties (Subject to Variance):

Education Re-Engagement (45%):

• Leadership on the independent delivery of the Education Re-Engagement Program (ERP) to clients falling under the definition of At-Risk of Homelessness under our DCJ contract. This includes the:
• Option for clients to receive an Individualised Education Plan (IEP).
• Collaboration with the organisation’s Social Worker to provide a pre-assessment before entry into the program.
• Provision of an (up to) 8-week intensive program.

Learning Support: Intensive (25%):

• Leadership on the independent delivery of a series of Learning Support: Intensive programs to clients under the Education & Skills Training component of our DCJ contract. This includes the:
• Provision of up to 4-weeks of an intensive program.

Administration (15%):

• Administrative duties relating to client data. This includes:
• Data management of client data related to the acquittal of DCJ contracts.

Activities & Engagement (15%):

• Participation in, leadership / development / assessment of group programs at Phoenix House. These include, but are not limited to:
  • Living Skills
  • Work Ready
  • Friday Social Nights

Please click Apply Now to submit your application.