POSITION DESCRIPTION Version 2.7
POSITION TITLE:
Counsellor/ Building Respectful Relationships Facilitator Fixed term - Part time 22.8 hours per week
CLASSIFICATION:
Counsellor Social Worker 3.1.2
DIVISION:
Family Health & Wellbeing
PROGRAM:
Counselling
LOCATION:
Narre Warren and Cranbourne, as well as work performed at the request of the agency at any Windermere location
TENURE:
30th June 2017
DATE:
June 2016
1. ABOUT WINDERMERE Windermere is an independent community service organization, working across south east Victoria to help those who need it most. Since our beginning more than 150 years ago, we have been working to create a stronger, more connected and supported community. Our support comes in many forms as we work together to find the right solutions for the many and varied complex issues faced by children, families and individuals in our community. Our aim is to get in early by providing programs and services within five primary areas: • Family Wellbeing to create positive behavioural changes, greater understanding and respond to violence and/or neglect • Childhood Development, Education & Support including child care and services for children and adults with developmental delays and disability • Assistance and support for victims of trauma, assault and/or violent crime • Community Strengthening designed to respond quickly to critical and emerging needs. • Whilst we receive funding for some services from state and federal governments, others are funded solely by donors and sponsors to whom we are truly grateful. We believe that everyone is someone in our community and that is reflected in our approach with those we work with everyday.
2. OUR PURPOSE, VISION, VALUES AND ENABLERS Windermere improves wellbeing in children, families and communities by helping to realise their potential, building resilience and connecting people to the community. Our Purpose: We get in early to make a difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities Our Vision: A stronger, connected and supported community Our Values: We believe that everyone is someone in our community where: • • • •
Equity is viewed as a natural right Fairness embraces and incorporates difference Collaboration results in social good Opportunity creates empowerment and inclusion
Our Enablers: People, Quality, Inquiry
3. POSITION OBJECTIVES, KEY RESULT AREAS, RESPONSIBILITIES and PERFORMANCE MEASURES Objectives – Key Result Areas Responsibilities Performance Measures • Effective Counselling & Assessment • To facilitate the Building Respectful • Complete the 8 session program Relationships Program to Secondary to the allocated schools School appointed by funding bodies complete Year Level cohort and the organsiation • To facilitate debrief/individual • Schedule and maintain an counselling sessions with any ongoing caseload as required students identified or where appropriate with a history of sexual assault, family violence, or protective concerns • To complete evidence based • Complete pre and post measures practice by completing evaluations and evaluation of the and feedback reports effectiveness of the program • Complete Respectful Relationships • Liaise with schools regarding Workshops to local schools where workshop presentations of appropriate or as requested Building Respectful Relationships • Link in with Cranbourne Community to identify need and promote programs and counselling services
Page 2 © Windermere N:\Corporate Business\Human Resources\General\Position Description\Family Health and Wellbeing\Counselling\BRR Counsellor June 2016.docx17/06/2016, 1:35 PM
• To provide specialised short term • Schedule regular appointments counselling and single sessions to for single sessions as booked by clients presenting with a history of intake sexual assault, family violence, protective concerns or families in crisis or at risk
• Effective Administration
• To provide written reports to a • Complete a report of the number of external agencies and outcomes achieved by the funding bodies Building Respectful Relationships program and other professional reports as required • To undertake administrative • Maintain accurate case files, requirements which include file including assessment management, liaison with other documentation, case notes and workers and the maintenance of treatment plans, in a manner that will meet all auditing requirements of Windermere & funding bodies. • concise and accurate case notes
• Data entry completed in a timely manner.
• To provide written reports to a • Practice effective time number of external agencies where management via computerised necessary and/or required calendar • To ensure accurate and timely data recording • Effective professional practice • Maintain a high level of awareness • Priority management, specifically in regard to risk management with regard to consulting and file management, practiced 90% of the time. Attendance & involvement in the 6 week, 3 • Adhere to best practice principles month & 6 month probationary and guidelines as set down by reviews & annual performance funding bodies and Professional appraisal is performed with an Organisations Appreciative Inquiry strengths based approach • Participate in all performance appraisals in conjunction with the Team Leader and/or Manager regular • Attendance & participation in regular supervision is conducted with an Appreciative Inquiry strengths based Approach • Assist in groupwork and/or training where appropriate or as requested • Actively participate supervision
in
• Assist in other duties as directed • Participation in professional development sessions is from time to time which are within conducted with an Appreciative the employee’s skill and Page 3 © Windermere N:\Corporate Business\Human Resources\General\Position Description\Family Health and Wellbeing\Counselling\BRR Counsellor June 2016.docx17/06/2016, 1:35 PM
competence level
Inquiry strengths based approach • Work in line with • To familarise yourself with and • Ensure policies, procedures and Windermere’s organisational adhere to Windermere’s Policies codes are complied with at all expectations and directives in and Procedures, including the Code times. relation to policies and of Conduct, Code of Ethics, Human procedures and the agencies Resources policies and guidelines mission, vision and values. and Occupational Health and Safety obligations • To attend on prearranged dates • 100% attendance at around supervision and agency performance reviews and wide training, including agency compulsory training. forums and on line induction and be actively involved in the 6 week performance review, 3 and 6 month • Completion of on line induction probationary review and a recurring with set timeframes. annual performance review with the relevant supervisor • Work within the Windermere Well- • Exhibit workplace practice, being Framework in accordance actions and behaviours in line with the principles of Appreciative with Windermere’s Well-being Inquiry and the Strengths Based Framework. Approach. • Contribute to or participate in • Ensure work practices comply Continuous Quality Improvement with Windermere’s Continuous (CQI) activities of the agency, and Quality Improvement principles. will implement CQI strategies into their work practices • Meet the challenges of change as it • To positively embrace and adopt occurs within the service and change as it occurs. agency. • To attend compulsory training • To ensure arrangements are courses set by the agency and the made so that 100% of immediate supervisor compulsory courses are attended. • To actively assess, manage and • To report risk to the appropriate where possible mitigate workplace Windermere personnel and risk including (OH+S), client related utilise current risk management risk, reputation risk and personal tools and procedures available. risk. The employee will be expected to perform other duties outside those set in the position description as directed from time to time which are within the employee’s skill, qualification, experience and competence level to meet the agencies operational needs. The Position Description may be amended from time to time at the agency’s discretion.
Page 4 © Windermere N:\Corporate Business\Human Resources\General\Position Description\Family Health and Wellbeing\Counselling\BRR Counsellor June 2016.docx17/06/2016, 1:35 PM
Where there is inconsistency between KPI’s in this Position Description and those within the Agency Objectives, the Agency Objectives will stand.
4. JUDGEMENT & DECISION MAKING The incumbent is expected to work with direct supervision and receives weekly direction in the day to day functioning of their program. It is expected that objective judgements be shown in all decision-making processes with reference to Windermere’s policy and procedure manuals. • • •
Day to day decisions will be expected to ensure the adequate supervision and safety of staff and clients involved in this program. Problem solving, within area of expertise, and decisive actions will often be needed. Guidance and advice in relations to difficult matters will be available within an appropriate time frame from the immediate supervisor.
5. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS • • • • • • •
Excellent verbal and written communication skills Empathy with, and the ability to gain co-operation and assistance from a range of people, in particular clients and other staff members Ability to discuss and resolve problems Tact and discretion Self-confident and able to set appropriate personal boundaries Mediation and conflict resolution skills Ability to work as part of a team at all levels of the agency
6. ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS LINE MANAGER:
Team Leader Counselling Services
SUPERVISES:
None
INTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS:
All Windermere Services
EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS:
Funding bodies, stakeholders and related services
Page 5 © Windermere N:\Corporate Business\Human Resources\General\Position Description\Family Health and Wellbeing\Counselling\BRR Counsellor June 2016.docx17/06/2016, 1:35 PM
7. KEY SELECTION CRITERIA • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Social Worker Psychologist, Family Therapist or Counsellor with proven experience within the family violence field. Demonstrated working knowledge of the Statewide Integrated Family Violence Project, including the Comprehensive Risk Assessment Framework Demonstrated minimum 2 years experience in counselling Specialist knowledge of family violence, sexual assault and sexualized behaviors Experience in facilitation of groups and within a school setting Ability to effectively manage time, set priorities, and organize work in an effective and efficient manner to achieve set objectives within the resources available and agreed timelines Demonstrated assessment skills, including risk identification and appropriate response in a school setting Demonstrated knowledge of adult psychopathology & child development Highly developed best practice counselling skills Flexible and innovative approaches to individual counselling Excellent administrative, verbal and written skills Demonstrated commitment to on-going professional development Ability to take and give direction where appropriate Current Victorian Drivers License Ability to use a computer and all relevant technology Willingness to undertake a Police Check and Working with Children Check
8. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT Terms and conditions of employment are in accordance with the Employment Agreement and Windermere Child and Family Services policies and procedures. Pre-Employment Disclosure - All appointments are subject to the candidate completing a Pre-Employment Disclosure Form regarding pre-existing illnesses or conditions that may affect their ability to perform the inherent requirements of the position and consideration of the completed form by Windermere. Medical Examination - All appointments are subject to the satisfactory completion of a pre-employment medical examination at Narre Warren Medical Centre at Windermere’s expense. Windermere will be advised by the medical practitioner whether the individual is fit to perform the role. Any medical opinion obtained by Windermere in respect of an unsuccessful candidate will be destroyed at the end of the selection process. In the case of an appointee, the medical opinion obtained will be stored in a secure location. Page 6 © Windermere N:\Corporate Business\Human Resources\General\Position Description\Family Health and Wellbeing\Counselling\BRR Counsellor June 2016.docx17/06/2016, 1:35 PM
Probation Period - The first three (3) months of your employment is a probationary period in which either of the partied may terminate your employment on 1 day’s notice in writing to the other party. At any time during, or at the end of the three month probationary period, the Employer may advise you as to whether and/or on what basis your employment will continue beyond the initial probationary period. A qualifying period of six (6) months applies to your employment. After the 3 month probationary period is completed, one weeks notice is required by either party upon termination in the final 3 months of the qualifying period. Police Record Check - All appointments are subject to a clear National Police Record Check. Working with Children Check – All appointments (dependant on position responsibilities) are subject to a clear Working with Children Check. The appointee is required to provide details of the Working with Children Check to Human Resources. Occupational Health & Safety – To adhere to OH&S policies, procedures and guidelines and use all the necessary safety equipment provided and to report any defect in any such equipment or workplace hazards as soon as it comes to your attention. Smoke free environment - Windermere is a smoke free working environment. Place of Employment - You may be required to report for duties and work from any of Windermere’s work locations throughout the service region. Qualifications - The successful applicant will be required to substantiate formal qualifications.
9. WORK AND FAMILY BALANCE Windermere understands the importance of promoting a family friendly working environment and promotes work-life balance by offering provisions that foster a culture of flexibility, support and wellbeing.
Page 7 © Windermere N:\Corporate Business\Human Resources\General\Position Description\Family Health and Wellbeing\Counselling\BRR Counsellor June 2016.docx17/06/2016, 1:35 PM
The position may require some work outside of Windermere’s ordinary operating hours from time to time. Windermere is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. Where possible, Windermere will examine ways to reasonably modify work practices to accommodate the successful applicants.
Page 8 Š Windermere N:\Corporate Business\Human Resources\General\Position Description\Family Health and Wellbeing\Counselling\BRR Counsellor June 2016.docx17/06/2016, 1:35 PM
10. APPLICATION DETAILS To maximise your opportunity for employment, it is recommended that you provide the following information: • Covering application letter (quoting Job Reference number below) • Statements addressing the key selection criteria required in the position description • Current Resume that includes a minimum of 2-3 referees The personal information that you have provided in your job application and curriculum vitae will be used for the purposes of assessing your application, and will be treated in accordance with our Privacy Policy, which is available at www.windermere.org.au, or by request to us. If you are unsuccessful in securing a position with Windermere at this time, we will hold your application for 3 months, after which time it will be securely destroyed. Windermere conducts thorough and detailed reference checks for short listed candidates. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to provide copies of relevant qualifications at interview. Under Victorian Workcover legislation, it is the successful applicant’s duty to advise Windermere of any preexisting condition, which could be aggravated by the type of employment they are applying for. Failure to do so will seriously jeopardize any entitlement the employee might have for a work related aggravation of that non-disclosed pre existing condition. Closing Date:
01/07/2016
For further information about Windermere, please visit www.windermere.org.au Please send your application to: Email: opportunities@windermere.org.au Quote in the subject line of email: “Job Reference 0007COU “ Alternatively you may wish to post your application to: Windermere Child & Family Services 48 Webb Street, Narre Warren Vic 3805 I have read this document and agree to undertake the duties and responsibilities listed above. I acknowledge that: •
• •
The PD is an indication of the duties and responsibilities that I may be required to undertake. Additional or other duties and responsibilities may be allocated to me. Where additional training and support is required to fulfil extra or other duties of a similar level of responsibility, it will be provided within the guidelines of Windermere’s Training and Development policy. The PD will be reviewed regularly in consultation with me. The Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), where included in this document, are indicative. KPIs will be set by the immediate supervisor in discussion with me, for each year (or another set period) and my performance reviewed against those KPIs.
Occupant: Name:
_________________________________________
Signature: _________________________________________
Date:
________________________
Page 9 © Windermere N:\Corporate Business\Human Resources\General\Position Description\Family Health and Wellbeing\Counselling\BRR Counsellor June 2016.docx17/06/2016, 1:35 PM