Care Leader

ARCHES Accommodation Care Leader provides guidance and support to both Senior Support Facilitators and Support Facilitators, engage as directed with relevant stakeholders and provide intensive therapeutic respite and interventions and temporary crisis accommodation to young people of diverse backgrounds and ages and are experienced in dealing with complex to extreme behaviours. ARCHES Accommodation implements tailored plans and a client centred approach to address individual needs in order to work holistically and collaboratively in achieving stability and permanency in primary placements.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (include but are not limited to)

• Work within the principles of the Child Protection Act 1999 (QLD) including the best interests of children.

• Use of quality leadership strategies to ensure good practice principles are achieved and service delivery is continuously improving across the ARCHES care team.

• Monitoring Support Facilitators daily work performance to ensure high quality outcomes are achieved.

• Promote professional and positive relationships with external stakeholders

• Provide care, supervision, nurturance, stability and safety to young people living in out of home care for a range of protective reasons, and who require intensive input and specialised management, in order to assist with their positive physical, intellectual, emotional and pro-social development.

• Ensure the integrity of the ARCHES model and the provision of high-quality care to the young people, whilst being actively involved with the young people in essential daily routines such as: preparation of nutritional meals and other domestic duties; taking young people to school and other appointments; undertake a range of responsibilities related to each young person’s individual plan; involvement in recreational activities; undertaking other relevant responsibilities as required.

• Participate actively in gathering information for the young people in the service to ensure the meaningful tracking and recording of milestones in the life of each young person, along with appropriate and timely documentation and stewardship of follow up.

• Manage challenging behaviours in a calm and consistent manner, within the context of understanding that these reflect the impact of abuse, neglect and trauma; effectively communicate with and motivate the young people including when they have special needs and / or are involved in non-compliant and challenging behaviours; encouragement and reinforcement of positive social and behavioural changes for young people.

• Lead effective implementation of positive behaviour support plans to drive therapeutic outcomes.

• Communicate effectively in a range of ways: with young people, their families, peers, managers and a range of stakeholders; provide feedback and evaluation in regards to young people’s plans and progress; advocate for young people; involve young people in decision making when possible/appropriate; contribute positively and actively in shift handovers and a range of other meetings.

• Apply effective negotiation and conflict resolution strategies to achieve positive outcomes for clients, staff and the organisation.

• Participate actively as a professional including: have integrity; model appropriate behaviour; report promptly any unprofessional conduct in the workplace; contribute positively to supervision; be open to professional reflection and challenge and to new ways of working including moving towards more therapeutically oriented care; be open to professional development; undertake professional training; comply with relevant policy and procedures.

• Work actively and respectfully as a member of a professional team including: in team meetings and professional discussions; participate in professional reflection and continuous improvement within the team; actively demonstrate respect for the knowledge, skills and different working styles of others; have the flexibility to work in a manner which is complementary to other team members.

• Have an ability to work sensitively with young people from diverse backgrounds, including: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders; a variety of ethnic origins; young people from refugee backgrounds; show a willingness to incorporate young people’s histories in fulfilling ways in the lives of young people and in line with their best interests.

KEY DUTIES (include but are not limited to)

• Exceptional record keeping and reporting and capacity to support others with administration requirements

• On-call duties. This means employees must be fit, sober and responsive to after hour needs of the program. Our management team have a shared-on call roster for after-hours on weekdays. On weekends there is a rotating on-call roster that is shared alongside a dedicated On call Manager whom covers 2 out of 3 nights across each weekend.

• Guide, mentor and coach new youth workers. Conduct shadow shifts.

• Report to the Operations Manager on benchmarking and critical issues

• Participate in planning and risk management processes

• Actively lead, support and collaborate with peers through joint casework, group work and other strategies to promote effective case work and team cohesion

• Seek and obtain stakeholder feedback

• Quality assurance of service delivery- audits, compliance processes, financial management of house and client care.

• Work collaboratively with other team members and the broader care team, to ensure the young person experiences a consistent and considered care arrangement.

• Be a role model and demonstrate positive attributes that allow young people to learn and feel safe which reduces their vulnerability, builds resilience and encourages aspirations for their future.

• Ensure that the safety and protection of the young people are upheld.

• Complete and maintain documentation in accordance with ARCHES policies and procedures, quality standard requirements and contribute to continuous improvement within the agency.

• Comply with ARCHES workplace health and safety requirements; whilst also remaining vigilant in relations to any behavioural risks and contribute to maintaining a safe work environment.

• Uphold confidentiality with young people’s and organizational information in line with legislative requirements.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS:

• Demonstrated understanding and experience of working with Young People of diverse backgrounds with complex to extreme needs of support due to adverse childhood experiences and a history of trauma

• Tertiary qualifications (or relevant experience) in Social Sciences, Social Welfare, Psychology, Community Services and/or equivalent experience in service delivery in the Child Protection Sector

• Advanced knowledge of the Child Protection Residential Care sector, relevant legislation, regulations, standards and industry trends

• The ability to engage stakeholders in developing and maintaining strong working relationships and gaining their participation around key decisions and initiatives

• A high level of computer literacy and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and comparable systems

• Leadership and management experience including staff supervision, staff performance management, budget development and financial management skills

• Planning skills, delegation, follow up and strong organisational skills.

• Experienced in working within a Quality Management System

• Demonstrated efficiency of positive contribution and management of workplace culture, performance matters, complaints and concerns.

• Effective interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to negotiate complex matters and resolve conflict.

• Knowledge of service models and the ability to design and implement service improvement strategies

• An understanding of Mental Health issues

• Knowledge and understanding of Equal Employment Opportunity, Ethical Practice, Cultural Diversity Statement and Occupational Health and Safety as they relate to this role

• Current driver’s licence

• It is a requirement of this position to acquire and maintain a Working with Children Blue Card.

• It is a requirement of this position to maintain requirements for a satisfactory Australian Federal Police Check

Arches Accommodation Supports follows the SCHADS award.

Apply now and become the driving force behind a brighter future for young people. Your journey starts here!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out on ******@archesfoundation.com.au