Ahp2 Practitioner

**Department of Human Services**

**Job reference**: 548763

**Location**: 5108 - SALISBURY

**Job status**: Long Term Contract

**Eligibility**: Open to Everyone

**Role Highlights**
- Flexible working arrangements available
- Provide a range of services to promote wellbeing of young people
- Access excellent learning and development opportunities

**Role Details**

The SA Government has committed to reforming the child protection system in South Australia. The Department of Human Services (DHS) has lead responsibility for implementing the Child and Family Support System (CFSS) reform, in which Safer Family Services (SFS) plays a key part.
Safer Family Services (SFS) provide help and support to children and their families at risk of harm, neglect and family violence, by deliberately and strongly intervening to disrupt the patterns of intergenerational trauma, and increase the number of children able to be cared for safely in their homes, connected to culture and community.

This is particularly relevant for children and families with multiple and complex needs.

The DHS Safe Start Teams in Salisbury are looking for enthusiastic team members to support vulnerable children and families to make changes to improve the wellbeing and safety of children in their care and prevent further Child Protection responses.
Positions are available in the Safe Start Playford (based at Salisbury) working with referrals for families with unborn and children up to two years of age; as well as the Safe Start Salisbury Team (based at Salisbury) working with families with children from unborn to 18 years.

To be most effective in this work, you will need to be a confident, resilient and flexible worker with case management experience and the ability to persist with clients who are occasionally unwilling to accept the support.
Your work will be directly with parents, children, wider families, agencies and stakeholders and the community.
You will need the skills to assess child protection risk, provide strong written work in assessments and case planning, and be willing to receive feedback to reflect and grow in the fast paced work.

Shortlisted applicants will have articulated in their cover letter their skills in relation to the Role Specific Capabilities below:
1. Proven knowledge and understanding of the complexities and effects of child abuse, neglect and developmental trauma upon the health and wellbeing of infants, children and young people, and demonstrated ability to assess and work with families experiencing vulnerability and low levels of safety using a case management approach to assess, plan, refer and enable sustained intervention.
2. High level problem solving, conflict resolution and negotiation to build effective rapport with children, their families, and local agencies by working in a flexible, resourceful and responsible manner, working both independently and collaboratively to achieve improved outcomes for families from diverse cultural backgrounds.
3. Proven ability to demonstrate high level interpersonal skills that create and foster networking, consultation, and interaction with families across a broad cultural and socio-economic spectrum and professionals in a range of complex and sensitive situations.
4. Demonstrated knowledge of the impact of intergenerational trauma, the effects of colonisation policies and forced removal upon the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, their families and communities, whilst recognising the protective strengths of culture.
5. Demonstrated understanding of child protection legislation, policies, procedures, the impact of trauma and the service opportunities available to children and families in crisis or at risk of entering the child protections system.
6. Proven ability to critically reflect on individual practice, participate in case conference, case reviews, peer reviews, supervision and professional development activities, to support practice quality.
7. Highly developed written and interpersonal communication skills that build effective collaborative relationships with multi-disciplinary teams, peers and contribute to a positive team culture.

**Special Conditions**

National Police Check required.
Employment-related Screening Check required.
Some out of hours work may be required.
Some interstate and intrastate travel may be required.
Must hold a current Australian issued driver’s licence (equivalent to minimum class C).
Covid -19 - will be required to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination status prior to engagement with DHS, unless it would be medically unsafe for the employee to do so.

**About the Business**

Community and Family Services supports vulnerable people and families to participate in social and economic life and build stronger communities. This division comprises three key areas:
**Safer Family Services (SFS) **provides a wide range of intensive family support services to children, young people and families exper