Foster And Kinship Care Practitioner

**Program Summary**

Through two contracts with the Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety, Partners in Foster Care (PIFC) recruits, trains, assesses and supports carers across the South Burnett who care for children and young people under Child Protection Orders.
- The Foster and Kinship contract supports Department approved carers of children/young people aged from birth to 17 years who have moderate to high support needs.
- The Intensive Foster Care contract supports six children/young people aged from birth to 17 years who have complex or extreme support needs and are being cared for by Department approved Foster or Kinship carers.

**Attributes Required to Meet the Requirements of the Position**
- Industry Experience/Qualifications/Licences _
- Industry experience in Child Protection, Human Services or other relevant experience that demonstrates the ability to engage with and support Indigenous and non-Indigenous foster and kinship carers to provide a safe, happy and stable placement for children/young people who may have complex needs and trauma-based behavioural issues
- An understanding of the Child Protection Act and related policy, legislation and relevant Industry Standards
- Diploma level or higher qualification in Child, Youth & Family Intervention, Mental Health, Community Services, Social Work or related field highly desirable
- Experience in or the aptitude to learn assessment tools/techniques to assess the suitability of potential carers and reassess current carers
- The ability to identify and respond to the individual needs of foster and kinship carers and the children placed in their homes and to independently work in complex situations
- An understanding of child development milestones and the ability to develop and support the implementation of trauma-based behaviour management plans/strategies to assist children/young people who have complex or extreme needs
- Queensland Driver Licence
- First Aid and CPR Certificates
- Communication and Information Sharing _
- Verbal and non-verbal communication techniques and active listening skills, complemented by highly developed interpersonal skills, to ensure the timely and accurate receival, sharing and dissemination of internal and external information
- Written communication skills at the professional level required to document the information gathered and make a recommendation to the Department on the suitability of prospective carers for the Department's final approval processes
- A professional understanding of privacy and confidentiality in relation to the sharing of information
- Screening _
- Working with Children Blue Card
- NDIS Worker Screening Check
- Licencing of Care Services Suitability Check
- Ability to meet and maintain any other current or future legislative benchmark requirements and government or organisation mandates
- Cultural Awareness_
- Ability to uphold the principles and practices outlined in CTC's Cultural Working Document
- Ability to respond in a culturally sensitive way to all stakeholders of the service
- Ability to uphold cultural protocols and maintain community support
- Time Management and Accountability _
- Time management and IT competency to ensure all responsibilities/deadlines are met and to ensure that electronic carer and other files are kept up to date within the required timeframes
- Demonstrated skills in managing time, setting priorities, planning and organising their own work to achieve the desired outcomes for Foster families
- Availability and Flexibility _
- Availability and commitment to participate on an afterhours on call roster which is shared amongst Foster and Kinship Care Practitioners
- Flexibility to adjust hours when required to keep children/young people safely placed with carers
- Availability for occasional pre-planned out of work hours/weekend events

**Broad Responsibilities of the PIFC Foster and Kinship Care Practitioner Position**

A broad outline of the responsibilities of the position includes:

- Service Delivery _
- Deliver a range of emotional and practical assistance to a caseload of carers which, at a minimum
- Supports each carer to provide care that meets the Statement of Standards and the Charter of Rights for a Child in Care
- Is consistent with the principles of the Act, that is, the safety, wellbeing and best interest of the child is paramount
- Improves outcomes for children in out-of-home care, their carers and carer families
- Provides the support required for each carer to meet the specific goals of a placement
- Provides the broader, general development and support needs specific to each carer's overall role and responsibilities
- Assists in managing family contact between children and their families
- Assists in managing the behaviour of children
- Supports the education of children and liaison with schools
- Prevents placement breakdown
- Retains foster carers
- Respects and maintains personal and professional boundaries
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