Queensland> Far North Queensland> Atherton Tablelands

Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 Award, Level 5 (From $88,000 +Training Allowance + Salary Sacrifice)

• Work with a progressive and dynamic social services organisation that uplifts the community.
• Utilise your professional skills to help build more resilient families.
• Work, live and play in the gorgeous, air-conditioned Atherton Tablelands.

About the role

As Coordinator (Children’s Contact Service), you will work under general direction from the CEO to plan, organise and coordinate the activities, services and quality of the Better Together Children’s Contact Centre, ensuring that the centre achieves its primary goal to facilitate contact visits between family members in a safe and secure environment. As part of a multidisciplinary team, you will also be expected to make relevant connections between services and families, particularly through the Better Together referral system.

The centre operates during the weekend and in the evenings. It is an essential requirement of this position to be rostered on or be on-call during the Centre operation hours, if necessary and within reason. Flexible working hours can be negotiated for work life balance purposes.

Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

•  Provide supervision, development, and support for staff, including debriefing and direction. 
• Use evidence-based social science theories of family dynamics, child development, conflict management and other relevant frameworks to design and maintain appropriate service delivery practices and standards.
• Design and establish a safe and secure environment where parents and children can engage in activities that will encourage parent-child interaction. 
• Assess the effectiveness of the Centre’s interventions for the family, amending as necessary and anticipating current and forthcoming needs of the family by helping the family access Better Together’s referral system and other external support programs.
• Identify and manage risk at the Centre, including determining the presence of domestic and family violence, threat to child safety or self-harm while mitigating these factors according to Better Together policy and procedures as well as legislative requirements.
• Perform risk assessments and intake procedures, including parent interviews, safety procedures and introductory visits for families ensuring that families are provided pertinent information with appropriate referrals that link to their goals.
• Develop policies and procedures to ensure the Centre is compliant with the Australian Child Contact Service Association Standards. 

About Better Together Community Support

Better Together Community Support (formerly Community Services Tablelands), located in the scenic Atherton Tablelands about 1.5 hours away from Cairns, Queensland, is a not-for-profit organisation that delivers a variety of services to the people of the Atherton Tablelands. These include counselling for families, young people and My Aged Care services as well as delivering relief services to the general community through our community hub. Please go to our website at www.bettertogether.com.au for more information.

About you

You are an effective communicator (in-person and written) who is empathetic with strong conflict-resolution skills and results-driven. You are an enthusiastic and collaborative leader with a positive attitude and enthusiasm with a high level of respect for others. You possess cross-cultural knowledge and sensitivity with the ability to engage across socioeconomic backgrounds and diverse people to facilitate consultation and deliver equitable access to services.

Qualifications

1. Relevant tertiary degree in human services, including social work, psychology, behavioural sciences, counselling, or mental health. Studies in child development will be valuable.
2. Open Australian Driver’s Licence.
3. Working with Children/Blue Card, or the capacity to obtain one.
4. Police Check, or the capacity to obtain one.
5. Covid -19 Vaccination and Influenza Vaccination compliant (full vaccinations, digital certificate required)
6. Child related immunisations are required.

Knowledge & Skills

1. Extensive knowledge and theoretical understanding of issues around child development, abuse and neglect, child protection and evidence-based interventions and case management models.
2. Understanding and knowledge of applicable legislation and regulations in family law sphere and/or children’s contact centres.
3. Competent in office software, including databases and Microsoft Office suite of products.
4. Willingness to develop a comprehensive knowledge of Better Together policies, procedures, and practices with an appreciation of Better Together’s long-term goals. 
5. Willingness to develop a comprehensive knowledge of the Australian Child Contact Service Association Standards.

Demonstrated Experience

1. Working with children and their parents/carers, maintaining a child-inclusive practice.
2. Demonstrated experience in staff management and managing a case load.
3. Comprehensive understanding of contemporary issues within the family and legal system, providing interventions which enhance child wellbeing and family safety.
4. Strategy, project development and implementation.
5. Program evaluation, analysis and report writing.

Benefits & culture

Better Together is an EEO employer and we proudly take an inclusive approach to the workplace. We have an open and collaborative culture that is respectful and mutually supportive of team members. The wellbeing of the people we serve is always first and foremost for staff members. 

Staff enjoy:

• Salary sacrifice options
• Professional development allowance of up to $900 per year (role dependent and subject to agreement from management)
• A warm and supportive team environment
• Flexible working arrangements including the use of TOIL hours
• Christmas/New Year week shutdown (subject to Board approval)
• Additional 8 weeks’ Parental Leave Pay (at Australian Government Parental Leave Pay rate, using National Employment Standards and Award criteria)

To apply

Please use the Apply button. Applications will close on Friday, 11 November 2022 at close of business. For a confidential discussion of the role, please contact us on (07) 4091 3850 or email [email protected] for the position description.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are highly encouraged to apply.

Please note: Successful candidates are required to undergo a National Police check and have the ability to apply and hold a Working with Children Blue Card.