Kinship Engagement Worker (00562324)

THE ROLE

Located in the Placement Support Planning Unit North Metro, this innovative position will drive positive changes and enhance the life outcomes for children and young people. The Placement and Support Planning Unit provides a range of specialist knowledge and expertise to assist area-based service delivery teams. It also provides direct client services across the North Division, fulfilling a co-ordinating role and improving client access to services. The unit includes the Kinship Engagement Program, Placement Coordination Unit, Permanent Care program and Health and Education Coordinator.

The Kinship Engagement Worker, supervised by the Kinship Engagement Coordinator, will work under the model of kinship care which was rolled out across Victoria in March 2018. In this role you will promote placement stability by providing ongoing and flexible support to kinship placements, and conduct kinship finding activities to identify potential kinship or respite options, or mentors for child and young people subject to child protection intervention. You will also assist with embedding all components of the kinship model into practice.

Kinship care is provided by relatives or a member of child or young person's social network when a child cannot live with their parents. In March 2018, a new model of kinship care was rolled out across Victoria. The model focuses on: better and earlier identification of kinship carers; strengthening connections for Aboriginal children and young people with family, culture and community; providing increased, ongoing support for carers, children and young people; and a greater emphasis on assessing the needs of carers, children and young people.

The kinship care model includes dedicated kinship practitioners employed by the department. There is additional investment to provide better support to placements from commencement and identifying the needs of carers, children and young people. There is also additional support to Aboriginal agencies to strengthen supports to Aboriginal children and young people, including finding extended family, supporting carers and helping children and young people return to their parents where possible.

The Kinship Engagement Workers and the Kinship Engagement Coordinators have a significant role in the continued implementation and embedding of the model of kinship care in the North Metro area. The Kinship Engagement Worker may undertake the initial search for a child or young person's extended family network, and promote placement quality and stability and support children and young people by being a key contact point for kinship carers and providing flexible kinship support. The Kinship Engagement Worker will report to the Kinship Engagement Coordinator.

The Kinship Engagement teams work closely with Child Protection to support the case plan goals.

ACCOUNTABILITIES INCLUDE

1. Provide quality, timely and effective case practice and support services.
2. Forge strong connections across the department and with external stakeholders to facilitate a partnership approach.
3. Contribute to service development and implementation of new initiatives and policy.

Please open the position description to read more.

HOW TO APPLY

All VPS employees (and ex-VPS employees with extended access to the Jobs and Skills Exchange website) MUST apply via the Jobs and Skills Exchange (JSE) <https://jse.vic.gov.au/user/login?destination=/new-home-page> portal.

Applicants are encouraged to apply online. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.
Applicants are required to submit a CV and Cover Letter (max 2 pages) outlining their suitability to the role in line with the Key Selection Criteria. 
Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa. Work eligibility will be checked as part of the recruitment process. 
Preferred candidates will be required to complete pre-employment screening, including a national police check and misconduct screening.

For more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please visit Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Victoria | Jobs (www.dffh.vic.gov.au/jobs)

Please apply to submit your interest in this position.