• Hours – three days a week for the first three months, and there after full time
• Duration – this position is until 30 June 2024.
• Reporting – this position will report to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) / Head Counsellor
• Location of workplace – Ross House - Flinders Lane, Melbourne
• Starting salary - $79,613.04 commensurate with SCHADS Level 4.2

Introduction on CLAN

Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN) is a national, independent, peak membership body which represents, supports, and advocates for people who were raised in Orphanages, Missions, Children's Homes, & Foster Homes within Australia and New Zealand. CLAN has been operating since 2000 with offices in Sydney and Melbourne. Being raised without your own family has lifelong impacts which require dedicated Care Leaver informed support services.

Overview of position

In October 2022, the Victorian Premier announced a redress scheme for Victorians who were placed in Orphanages, Missions, Children's Homes, & Foster Homes and experienced physical, psychological, and emotional abuse or neglect. This included additional budget to support Pre-1990 Care Leavers to participate and access services including the scheme’s design and new hardship payment for people experiencing exceptional circumstances (hardship payment). 

Position Objectives

This position will -

• Provide direct assistance to address the needs and issues of people who grew up in Orphanages, Missions Children’s Homes, and Foster Homes, deal with the legacy of their childhood experiences and provides support to improve their health and wellbeing.
• Contribute to the suite of services provided at CLAN to Care Leavers by providing individual support including referral and connection to broad range of mainstream and specialist services including aged care, mental health, drug and alcohol and homelessness services.

Key responsibilities

Make assessment on individual Care Leavers situation and provide relevant support they may need including,

• Referral to other agencies
• Counselling
• Facilitate access to financial assistance

Information on the Victorian Redress Scheme

Provide a safe environment for Care Leavers to share their stories.

Key Selection Criteria

• Several years’ experience as a counsellor / case worker
• Commitment to social justice
• An understanding of the experiences of Care Leavers and the impact of those experiences, including complexity of needs and long-term social exclusion and disadvantage.
• A sound understanding of Pre 1990 Child Welfare policies and the Royal Commission findings.
• Capacity to develop trust with Care Leavers who seek support.
• Capacity to respond to complex client circumstances and presentations in order to achieve open, inclusive, transparent and responsive client services.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with a variety of individuals and organisations.
• Effective stakeholder development and management capabilities from the initiation of stakeholder relationships and groups through to shared, lasting relationships.
• Ability to work independently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills,
• Sound judgment, problem solving skills to support decision making in all areas of responsibility.

Appropriate Qualifications

Relevant tertiary qualifications in psychology, social work, social science or other similar qualification

Terms and Conditions

• Salary and conditions in accordance with Social, Community, Home care and Disability Services award (SCHADS)
• Probationary period 3 months
• Police Check – Required
• Driver’s licence – Required
• Superannuation – 10.5% and salary sacrifice available after the probationary period.