Since 1974, Althea Projects Inc. has been supporting and strengthening the capacity of vulnerable people within Townsville and the surrounding regions. Our main programs are Foster & Kinship, Wee Care Residential and Althea's Community Hub, from which we deliver a range of services.Althea Projects Foster and Kinship Program is a foster and kinship care support service for children who are subject to departmental intervention.We are looking to appoint a Foster and Kinship Case Worker on a permanent full-time basis. Our Foster and Kinship Case Workers utilise specialist knowledge and experience to provide support and monitoring of foster carers to ensure the safe, stable and successful placement of children in care.As a Foster and Kinship Case Worker you will be responsible for:Providing case management services of allocated carers, including development and maintenance of carer support plans, case noting all matters, assisting carers with the health needs of children in their care, including coordinating referrals for complex health needs, NDIS, medical appointments, and approvals, attending all key stakeholder meetings, assisting with children's casework planning.Maintaining carer and child files on database, ensuring compliance requirements are met and files are kept current.Attending handover meetings and coordinating the induction program for new carers.Monitoring foster and kinship care placements to ensure the standards of care are being met and following established policies and procedures for raising and reporting concerns.Working within the Queensland Government licensing and compliance requirements.Working as a positive member of the care team through problem solving and managing day to day emergencies as they arise, including coordinating discussions and arrangements relating to children (i.e., school changes/emergency transport).Responding promptly to crises and emergencies, offering guidance and assistance to foster and kinship carers to manage challenging behaviours, emotional issues, and other disruptions that may arise.Coordinating respite care arrangements for children within your carer caseload as needed.Facilitating regulatory training for all carers within their first 12 months as required.Carrying out monthly home visits for all carers and documenting these as required.Participating in the recruitment and assessment of foster carers and assisting with matching referrals to carers.Participating actively within the team including team meetings, planning days and training as well as supporting team members as needed.Involvement in agency and industry events, including at times out of hours.Participating in the 24/7 on-call phone support roster and determining escalation pathways to the Department and to Manager on Call for serious and critical incidents.Ensuring compliance with the Child Safety Protection Act and HSQF standards.Acting in accordance with our mission and values at all times.Actively contributing to maintaining a culture which values health, safety and wellbeing.In return, we offer you the following:An opportunity to help change livesSupportive management and teamSCHADS Award Level 4 wages; and 5 weeks' annual leaveAttractive salary packaging up to $15,900 p.a.Employee Assistance ProgramMonday to Friday working pattern, with occasional out of work hoursHow to ApplyPlease submit your resume together with a succinct response to the selection criteria (2 pages maximum), providing examples of relevant knowledge, skills and experience.Applications will close at 5.00pm on 26 November 2024, however we retain the right to start screening and interviewing any suitable candidates prior to this date.Selection Criteria:4-Year Bachelor level qualification in Human Services, Psychology, Social Work or similar with at least one year's relevant experience; OR similar 3-Year Degree with two years' experience; OR lesser formal qualifications with substantial years of relevant experience.Knowledge of the fostering, child protection or out of home care sector and the issues facing carers and children and the impact of trauma; and experience in evaluating and case managing these needs against relevant legislation, policies and procedures.Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain professional working relationships with clear boundaries with carers and children.Effective time management with the ability to manage high case load while maintaining a solution focussed, positive, calm and resilient demeanour.Cultural awareness and experience in providing culturally appropriate engagement to Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander peoples.Current driver's license and the ability to satisfy child and personal history screening; and current positive notice (Blue Card).
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