• 16 Third Avenue, Palm Beach. Qld. 4221.
• Ph: 07 5598-1505
• www.palmbeachnc.org.au / Email: [email protected] using the subject line: Family Support Worker enquiry via EthicalJobs

Palm Beach Neighbourhood Centre would like to invite expressions of interest for the position of Family Support Worker / Counsellor. The role is 24 hours per week.

PBNC are seeking an experienced worker for this role. The Family Support Service Program is funded by the Queensland Government’s Department of Child safety, Seniors, Disability Services.

It targeted at supporting vulnerable families and children with emphasis on children aged 0-12 years. The primary purpose of the program is to strengthen families and improve family functioning by:

• Providing short term counselling of up to six sessions per family member.
• To provide strategies and tools to strengthen family functioning.
• To develop and facilitate courses and programs that provide parenting skills and assist in family functioning.
• To identify and appropriately refer individuals/ families with needs beyond the scope of the FSS program to other agencies.

ORGANISATION POSITION

This position is responsible to the Coordinator of Palm Beach Neighbourhood Centre Inc, who in turn reports the Management Committee. The incumbent is expected to liaise closely with the Coordinator in terms of service delivery and with other staff to ensure that the duplication of effort is avoided.

COUNSELLING DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct Service Delivery:

• Provide short term generalist counselling services to children/youth and their families applying professional therapeutic practices within a six session framework.
• Maintain comprehensive, accurate and confidential records on clients who avail themselves of the program’s services.
• Inform and refer families to other services available within the community and appropriate to their needs. Advocate on behalf of clients with these other services as appropriate.

OTHER FAMILY SUPPORT WORK DUTIES

• Facilitate parenting groups / courses at Palm Beach Neighbourhood Centre, providing such groups with information about parenting/ family issues and successful means of addressing them (interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, strategies for self-care.)
• Attend regular staff meetings. To operate as team member of the PBNC and remain flexible in assisting in general centre functioning.
• To consult and advise with Coordinator on all significant decisions and developments.
• Liaise and network with other appropriate agencies.
• Engage in professional development activities, such as supervision and maintaining a regular peer support network, periodically attending interagency meetings for the purpose of enhancing referral pathways. To engage in regular reflective practice.
• Produce quarterly and annual reports based upon reportable outcomes.
• Where appropriate develop and facilitate support groups with a view to these groups eventually achieving self -reliance.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Mandatory Qualifications:

• Minimum Degree in Social Work, Welfare – 3yrs working with children and families or Diploma of Child, Youth and Family Intervention & Diploma in Counselling. Four years’ experience in working with children (0-12yrs) and their families. A demonstrated ability in crisis intervention.
• Please respond to the following key selection criteria. (Not to exceed 3 A4 pages in total.)
• Experience working with children (0-12yrs) AND their parents in relation to family counselling specifying your therapeutic approach/es and reason for.
• Experience in professional crisis intervention operating through a risk management framework.
• Knowledge of protective and risk factors for families experiencing vulnerability and risk.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate and develop group programs appropriate to services target group.
• A high level of initiative and ability to work independently as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrated awareness of confidentiality issues and non-judgmental attitudes to service users
• Understanding of professional boundaries.

The position is part time @ 24hrs per week; SCHADS award level 5.1.

Please submit no more than a three (3) page letter addressing the selection criteria via the "Apply Now" button.

For further information please contact Vicki Hall on 07 55981505 or [email protected] using the subject line: Family Support Worker enquiry via EthicalJobs.