Support Worker

**Support Worker**

**Churches of Christ, Children Youth and Families, Arana Hills**

**Permanent, Full-time Opportunity**

**Imagine a career with Churches of Christ**
- Established in 1930, We are one of Australia's largest and most diverse not-for-profit organisations. Active in the areas of children, youth and family services; community housing; retirement living; home care; and residential aged care services, we provide care and compassion to vulnerable people at different stages of their life journey. _With over 200 Services in more than 100 communities, we positively impact around 45,000 lives a year._

**Employee Benefits**:
As a not-for-profit entity, our employees can package up to $18,549 p.a. of their taxable income before your income tax is calculated. Up to $15,900 p.a. on everyday expenses (such as mortgage payments, rent, groceries, bills and insurance) plus up to $2,649 p.a. on meal/entertainment benefits.

To find out what salary sacrificing can mean for you click here.

By being such a large organisation, we are also able to offer a range of compelling benefits. Including but not limited to:

- Salary-packaging benefits that can increase your take-home pay;
- Five (5) weeks of annual leave and the ability to purchase more;
- Grants (for eligible employees) to assist in formal study;
- A work culture that values you.
- Discounts through our large network of retail partners including:

- JB Hi-Fi,
- The Good Guys,
- Goodlife Health Clubs,
- Bupa Health,
- Plus many more;

**About the role**

The Support Worker is responsible for providing support to children and young people, foster and kinship carers and families. As a Support Worker you will contribute as an integral member of the Children Youth and Families group and support activities aligned with the strategic direction of and consistent with the mission and values of Churches of Christ.

**Key Responsibilities**
- Provide a high standard of client-focused care, facilitate care arrangement meetings and conduct home visit risk assessments.
- Utilise a range of assessment, short-term intervention skills, actively communicate client issues to staff and management.
- Utilise appropriate modelling techniques to address identified carer and family needs, collaborate with community agencies to build professional networks for fostering and family services.
- Develop support plans, identify carer education and training needs and participate in continuous improvement processes for service delivery.
- Collaborate in development and implementation of carer recruitment for the service.
- Provide support to staff conducting initial and renewal assessment reports.
- Work sensitively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, children, young people, families and communities to provide culturally inclusive services and a culturally safe environment with the aim of circumventing the intergenerational cycle of over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in care.

**About you**

You are passionate about the welfare of children and young people and achieving the absolute best outcomes for them. You will have well-developed communication and interpersonal skills to engage with a range of internal and external stakeholders.

You have the ability to handle the challenges that occur in an organisation driven by change and innovation, well-developed problem solving, decision making and negotiation skills. Proven ability and willingness to support a culture of safety, legislative compliance, quality and continuous improvement and an understanding of the principles and values of Christianity.

To be suitable for this position, your qualifications for the role will consist of:

- Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Invention or Certificate III Community Services, or equivalent and relevant experience with a willingness to participate in further training.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the contemporary challenges for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Current driver’s licence - P2 minimum.
- The role is 76 hours a fortnight, Monday-Friday, inclusive of paid PDO a fortnight.
- Applied knowledge and understanding of the child protection frameworks including the Child Protection Act 1999, or the ability to acquire.
- Demonstrated understanding of the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 and Child Protection Act 1999.
- One years’ experience working with children, young people and families in a child protection or community service context.
- Demonstrated ability to be a positive role model with children and young people, including engaging and building relationships.

Pre-requisite
- Possess a current National Police Certificate - or ability to acquire.
- Possess Working with Children (Blue Card) - or ability to acquire.
- Possess Child Safety and Personal History Screening Check (LCS) - or ability to acquire - where the service and role provides care or support in a licensed care service.
- Importantly