Senior Support Worker - Mount Gambier

About us:
Baptist Care SA works collaboratively with South Australians from all walks of life. We provide Camping and Adventure Programs, Disability Services, Homelessness Services, Out of Home Care and Youth, Family and Community Programs. We are committed to finding a way forward for everyone we serve and supporting them to achieve their life goals. We find ways to make people's lives better.
About the role - Permanent Part-Time 0.8FTE
Our Residential Care Service located in Mount Gambier provides accommodation and support to children young people who are under the Guardianship of the Chief Executive and for whom kinship care or foster care are not currently an option. The aim of the service is to provide a safe and stable therapeutic environment to young people until they can transition back with family, into Foster Care or into Independent Living. Our Residential Houses are staffed 24/7 and provide support to a single young person or group of young people who may also be living with a disability.
As our Senior Support Worker you will be providing support, building rapport, role modelling and mentoring staff to manage and de-escalate all situations, working in partnership with staff and clients for best outcomes. The role manages high paced crisis events with clear operational directions and emergency shift filling after hours. The Senior Support Worker Team provide on phone and in person support to staff working with vulnerable and at-risk children/young people. On shift support may also be required.
Duties include but are not limited to:

• Role modelling and mentoring staff to provide quality care.
• Supporting staff with trauma informed behaviour support strategies during challenging situations
• Calmly and promptly supporting staff during a critical incident, including debriefing and follow up
• Supporting staff with general enquiries and problem solving
• Rostering and allocating shifts
• Completing administrative tasks such as reporting and handovers.

About you:
You will be an experienced and highly passionate Support Worker who is looking for the next step in your career. You will thrive supporting your team, as well as supporting children and young people in care. You are someone who describes yourself as calm under pressure, supportive and approachable. You are confident in your decision-making skills and are able to solve problems quickly in a highly pressurised environment.
You will also have the following skills and experience:

• A minimum Certificate IV in Family, Youth and Child Intervention, Youth Work, Community Services, Mental Health
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work with a diverse range of people
• Outstanding organisational skills and the ability to handle multiple priorities and competing deadlines
• Have creative problem-solving skills and the ability to understand complex issues and scenarios and break it all down into manageable steps
• The ability to provide advice and support to colleagues who are challenged using a trauma informed lens in a calm and soothing manner
• Have the ability to deal with sensitive issues with empathy and always maintain confidentiality
• Developed resilience to provide consistent and ongoing support to clients with high complex needs

Specific Requirements:
Baptist Care SA is committed to the safety and protection of all children and vulnerable people and as such applicants will be considered in accordance with our safety practices and suitability.
You will be required to have, or be willing to obtain:

• Full unrestricted South Australia Driver's Licence
• DHS Child-Related Employment Screening or Working With Children check
• National Police Clearance
• NDIS Worker Screening
• A Successful Psychological Suitability Assessment in accordance with Department of Child Protection requirements
• Provide First Aid Certificate (HTLAID011)
• Safe Environments for Children and Young People Certificate
• Ability to work outside of normal office hours
• Use of own vehicle

Why work with us?
Baptist Care SA offers a flexible and supportive environment where you are encouraged to be the best version of yourself.
You'll also receive:

• A competitive salary on the SCHADS Award (Level 3.1, base rate $36.00 per hour + superannuation)
• Salary Packaging in addition to increase your take home pay
• A corporate health plan with BUPA offering discounted health insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Support for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander employees cultural and community obligations, including NAIDOC Leave and up to five days Paid Cultural Leave

We do not accept applications via email, however, for more information, please see our website, or reach out to Linda at for a confidential discussion.
Please note, screening and interviews may take place prior to the closing date - applications may also close before this date.