About the role:

This role will sit within the Paediatric Spinal Outreach Service (PSOS) at Northcott. PSOS is a state-wide outreach service, offering specialised multidisciplinary intervention to children and adolescents (0-18) who have acquired a spinal cord injury. The service is a collaboration between Northcott and the SpineCare Foundation and is funded by The Sydney Children’s Hospital Network.

Based in Sydney (North Parramatta) and servicing NSW, the successful applicant will exude confidence and determination to work within a small multidisciplinary team inclusive of occupational therapy, physiotherapy, specialist nursing to provide social work services to the customer, their families, the local community and local therapists. 

Culture and Benefits:

• We are a friendly supportive and collaborative team.
• Salary packaging is available to all staff; this can increase your take home pay with packaging up to $15,900 available.
• A family friendly workplace with flexible hours for staff to manage their home and work lives effectively.
• Negotiable ability to work from home when appropriate to your caseload.
• We provide paid Professional Development leave including some funding towards approved courses, seminars, etc.
• We provide, peer to peer support, formalised supervision, and attendance at regular professional forums.
• Develop your skills – extend yourself and excel in your chosen field. We provide learning & career opportunities.
• 5 weeks of paid annual leave and paid maternity leave
• Multiple employee benefits, such as discounted gym & health fund membership, discounted motor vehicle services and entertainment cards.

What you will be doing:

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES OF THE POSITION:

• Conduction of high-level psychosocial assessments and development of client focused support plans.
• Provision of prospective planning for key transition points (e.g. school, surgery and vocation).
• Work within a Strengths Based, Family Centred approach.
• Ensure children and young people have access to positive developmental experiences.
• Support families to access mainstream and specialist services to meet long-term needs.
• Build networks and working relationships with rehabilitation teams of Children’s Hospitals, relevant community services and government services.
• Provide outreach social work intervention within the client’s home, school and or other relevant context.
• Provide casework support including; service coordination, rehabilitation planning reports, organising and attending appointments; psycho-education, practical assistance, advocacy and referral.
• Close liaison with compensation scheme providers including the NSW Lifetime Care and Support Authority (LTCSA), Compulsory Third Party Insurance Scheme (CTP), Trustees and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). 
• Provide counselling to facilitate emotional adjustment to injury.
• Conduct student specific education sessions at schools and other relevant facilities.
• Source updated information of new services, funding changes and research relevant to this client group.
• Participate in relevant internal and external meetings.
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation, and prepare formal reports, rehabilitation plans and other related correspondence.

What we are looking for:

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THE POSITION:

• Degree in Social Work and membership of the AASW.
• Post-graduate experience in the provision of service to people with a disability/complex needs.
• Experience in working with families in crisis and / or experiencing grief and loss.
• Current NSW driver’s license
• Experience in working within clinical governance, quality improvement and risk management frameworks.
• Experience in leading critical reflection, applying theoretical frameworks and referring to research and literature to inform clinical practice.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience preferred.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED FOR THE POSITION:

• Skills and experience in working with children with physical disabilities and their families.
• Experience with spinal cord injury.
• Highly developed skills in conducting psychosocial assessment and support plan development.
• Experience within a community setting.
• Case management skills.
• Ability to prepare and present training for teachers, carers and medical professionals.
• Physical ability to carry out tasks required of the position.
• Ability to work autonomously and work well within a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Trauma training/experience.
• Current drivers license and willingness to drive.
• Ability to travel state-wide across NSW at times is essential.
• Access to own vehicle where essential within Sydney if pool cars are not available (Klm. reimbursement available)
• Current Working with Children Check (or willingness to obtain)
• Current NDIS Worker Check (willingness to obtain)

The health and safety of our people, customers and communities is our number one priority. This means that we require all of our employees to be fully vaccinated against Covid 19 and maintain regular booster shots (unless granted an exemption).

 For a confidential discussion about this position please contact:

Hannah Read, Therapy Service Manager; on 0466417443 or [email protected]

Covid Vaccination Status
The health and safety of our people, customers and communities is our number one priority. This means that we require all of our employees to be fully vaccinated against Covid 19 and maintain regular booster shots (unless granted an exemption). Evidence of your current vaccination status or medical exemption will be required.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement
Northcott actively promotes diversity and inclusion in the recruitment process and throughout employment. We are committed to providing a workplace where every person is valued, respected and supported to progress. Northcott welcomes applications from and ensures no one is disadvantaged on the basis of their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity, culture, LGBTIQ+ identity, disability, gender, age, religion or caring responsibilities. If you require an adjustment to participate in the recruitment process, if you have a preferred contact method or require any information provided in an alternative format, please contact Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at [email protected] .

• PD for Clinical Services level 3