Araluen is a registered NDIS provider, supporting adults with disability in their homes, in the community and from various service bases in Melbourne, Victoria.

Araluen puts people in charge of their supports – we respect that NDIS funding should result in choice-driven and tangible improvements to quality of life for all participants. We are committed to delivering imaginative, caring, reliable support underpinned by exceptional customer service.  

Maternity leave – 12 Month fixed term.

Position Purpose

This role will assist the Senior Manager or General Manager to ensure all services are of a high quality, they will provide high level leadership that ensure a person-centred approach and best practice service delivery to participants to have a great life. 

You will mentor and develop staff in all areas pertaining to the positive and proactive outcomes for participants, in line with a person-centred approach, human rights and participant choice.

Araluen’s goal for every participant is for them to be active in their own development, to increase independence, promote empowerment and encourage choice and control in all life areas. As the Manager this role is committed to coaching and promoting the skill development and performance of support staff in active support with participants to assist them to achieve their goals in all life areas. 

This position will work closely with Senior Manager and/or General Manager, supporting them in areas as identified in service establishment, service quality, service growth and service quality and excellence. 

The Manager is required to provide a high level of engagement with participants and their families, to ensure Participant choices and goals are supported and realised by them and their support staff.

 A high level of interpersonal skills is required to manage organisational requirements, ensure financial acuity for participants NDIS funding, negotiate individual service agreements and outcomes. 

This role will be required to understand and implement employee management which is a process that helps you to support employees to perform at their personal best and achieve Araluen's organisational goals as per our strategic plan and or the participants goals. It's about supervising and guiding staff to act their best in the best interest of participants and the organisation.

This position is required to build positive relationships with participants, their families or carers in addition to managing and influencing positive changes for participants in line with a person-centred approach.

“What are the most important tasks you need to do so participants are supported, empowered & active in their own decision making

• Uphold participants rights and choices.
• Ensure all staff engage and communicate with participants around any decisions to be made about them.
• Ensure all staff respect participant choices and to support and assist them with the choices they make.
• Have extensive knowledge of NDIS funding, planning to ensure participants receive the appropriate funding to meet their support needs and desired goals.
• Model, mentor and reinforce values in organisational culture and practice.
• Can implement change in a positive manner in the best interests of the participants and the organisation.
• Provide direction to the support staff team to understand what a good life means to participants.
• Ensure all staff observe and respond flexibly to participants changing needs.

Teamwork and Accountability 

• A demonstrated commitment to work collaboratively within teams to achieve common goals. 
• Demonstrate a commitment to Araluen’s quality framework by participating in and promoting quality actions through continual improvement activities.
• Accept and implement change in a positive manner within your team/s.
• Mentor and role model the Araluen values and adhere to the Code of Conduct in everyday work practices.
• Maintain a safe work environment and ensure steps are taken to prevent unsafe work. 
• Ensure your practices adhere to and are in accordance with Araluen policies and procedures.

Practice Leadership

• Implement reflective practice reviews with all staff in accordance with Araluen policy. 
• Provide opportunities that promote guidance, coaching that encourage learners to achieve desired outcomes.
• Responsible for decision making in a particular work area and the provision of expert advice to their staff team.
• Responsible for setting clear outcomes for the work area to achieve the objectives of the organisation.
• Requires a good understanding and commitment to the long-term goals of the organisation.
• Liaise with relevant Senior Manager and/or General Manager as required on issues, new initiatives, or feedback on the program area.
• Facilitate professional development opportunities for support staff aimed at strengthening practice engagement and responses to the NDIS.
• Ensure a clear view about accountability and responsibility for decisions and involve partners in problem solving, whilst monitoring the impact this approach has on the desired outcome.
• Have a detailed knowledge of activities and work practices relevant to the work area, organisation and all its policies.
• Encourage and provide opportunities within your team for innovative thinking in all areas of service delivery that meet participant goals and requests
• Promote and develop your team to recognise and respond to inappropriate behaviour and signs of abuse, and neglect within the workplace and report any concerns promptly.

Administration and Compliance 

• Contribute to the development of internal and external quality audits including participation in structured assessment validation and moderation processes. 
• Have an excellent and up to date understanding of NDIA/NDIS
• In collaboration with People & Culture monitor, record and report new support staff activities, process and any associated paperwork in a timely and accurate manner utilising latest version of forms and documents as required. 
• Promptly rectify any issues or errors identified as part of internal or external compliance checks. 

Budget

• Supports the Senior Manager/General Manager, in developing and delivering of services with the budget.
• Ensures that resources are being used as efficiently as possible, particularly with regard to efficient utilisation of support staff and ensuring that travel and other expenses are contained as effectively as possible, without compromising the needs of people we support.
• Ensures that budgeted support is delivered, and that over-delivery of support is managed within agreed parameters.

Key Selection Criteria

Capabilities

• Ability to work independently, problem solve and demonstrate thoughtful judgement and common sense. 
• Contribute to and develop a positive culture both within your team and across Araluen. 
• Contribute to the adoption and integration of the Araluen Code of Conduct in all day-to-day practices.
• Demonstrated commitment to high quality service delivery.
• Demonstrated commitment to uphold participants human rights, to promote choice and control, and independence that lead to quality outcomes 
• Demonstrated high level effective organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise tasks. 
• Excellent communication skills as demonstrated through professional consultation, negotiation and conflict resolution. 
• An understanding of and commitment to the current focus on the person-centred approach and future innovation and practices. 
• Ability to work flexible hours and agility to adapt to changing environments in a positive manner.
• Comply with all Araluen policies, procedures and practices and all applicable laws and industrial agreements that govern our business and conduct and seek clarification where needed.
• Minimum Cert IV Community Services (Disability Work) or equivalent qualifications (desirable)
• Maintains own professional development.

Compliance

• NDIS Quality and Safeguarding commission worker screening check
• Valid Working with Children’s Check
• Current Australian Drivers licence
• Current First Aid (HLT011) and CPR (HLT009) certificate for new starters and current employees Araluen strongly encourages all staff to maintain these qualifications.
• COVID-19 vaccination 
• Requirement to use own smartphone or tablet device for receiving shifts and participant confirmation of attendance.

A position description is attached.