AbilitiesNQ is looking for an experienced Children Services Practice Manager to join our growing team in Townsville. 

The Children Services Practice Manager has a primary aim to strengthen the skills and knowledge of the Childrens Services / child protection team with a person centred, trauma informed approach. The Childrens Services Practice Manager will undertake specialist assessments and interventions, case reviews, appeals and maintain case records, and Liaise with the stakeholder group as required. The Child Protection Practice Manager will provide high level expertise; facilitate staff mentoring and practice development; and provide leadership in the implementation of continuous improvement strategies based on best practice.  

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Client support:

• Respond to referrals of young people to the service from Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women, QLD.
• Foster supportive and professional relationships with young people and their families. 
• Deliver best practice interventions using pro-social modelling and collaborative problem solving. 
• Identify appropriate services or programs, make referrals and advocate on behalf of young people to ensure access.                    

Stakeholder relationships:

• Develop quality relationships with a range of key stakeholders including Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women, other Government agencies, Non-Government community organisations, private practitioners, and local communities and to allow for the effective provision of support and information to young people.
• Liaise continuously with Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs as per their instructions. 
• Attend and participate in a range of interagency and network meetings, steering committees, and other forums across the service delivery area in order to share information and best practice, highlight the needs of young people and families in the community, develop new relationships and referral pathways and share findings with the broader QLD Youth Services team.
• Attend care team and emergency meetings with Senior Management and the departments. 

Administration:

• Develop and update client files for each young person in line with AbilitiesNQ guidelines.
• Ensure full compliance is met for all staff qualifications and or company employment documentation. 
• Collate and prepare a range of accurate data, statistics, and other program information for lodgement with management and QLD Child Safety and/or Youth Justice in a timely manner.
• Ensure all required service paperwork is completed, regularly updated, filed, and archived. 
• Other administration tasks associated with the role as directed by Senior Management.
• Manage a team of Service Coordinators- this includes overseeing the delivery of services to young people, completing progress reports, and providing monthly supervisions to staff.

Service Delivery: 

• Embody quality service delivery and contribute to the implementation of operational practices across a designated area. 
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of frontline service delivery.
• Ensure a consistent standard of quality in accordance with regulations relevant legislation and industry standards.
• Contribute to the effective functioning and development of operational innovation through involvement in other initiatives including but not limited to events and pilot projects.
• Adhere to all to policies and procedures (including local procedures) in line with legislation, regulations, and industry standards.
• Contribute and oversee the management of SOCR and HARM report processes including facilitate / leading investigation and program review process as required.
• Contribute and oversee the Management of licensing service meetings and program site inspections.
• Contribute and supervise the develop action plans as required and implement.
• Oversee the Development of reports for presentation at Child Safety Service Review meetings as per set Agenda.

Role Specific Accountabilities

• Provide practice leadership, undertake specialist assessments, case reviews and interventions.
• Maintain case records, including Safety Plans, Incident reports and risk assessments.
• Support child protection practitioners, provide Supervision, facilitate staff mentoring and practice development and provide leadership in the implementation of continuous improvement strategies based on clinical best practice.
• Keep accurate and complete records of your work activities in accordance with legislative requirements and the department’s records, information security and privacy policies and requirements.
• Provide monthly reporting functions to the General Manager.
• Willingness to work with Therapeutic Crisis Intervention framework, and to undertake training and deliver training. 
• Participate in rotational on call as required.

Mandatory Qualifications required:

• A recognised Social Work degree or a similar welfare or behavioural related degree OR A recognised Diploma of Community Services Work, OR similar qualification and includes: 

                 b) Relevant experience working in the Child Protection Sector.

• A valid driver’s licence
• A current Working with Children Check (Blue Card)
• A current Disabilities Services Positive Exemption Notice Card

Desirable

•  Significant operational knowledge and a strong understanding of child protection practice and Queensland child protection legislation and policy. 
• Specialist practice knowledge of  child protection work such as child development and the impact of trauma, work with children, young people and families, mental health, drug and alcohol, family violence, sexual assault, and disability.

In return we will provide:

• A friendly and safe environment for you to work in
• Competitive salary package – based on skills and experience within the industry. 
• Ongoing training and development
• Opportunities for career development

To apply for this position, please email your resume, cover letter and any references to [email protected]