Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare Inc.

The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare (the Centre) is the peak body for child and family services in Victoria. For over 100 years we have advocated for the rights of children and young people to be heard, to be safe, to access education and to remain connected to family, community and culture. We represent over 150 community service organisations (CSOs), students and individuals throughout Victoria working across the continuum of child and family services, from prevention and early intervention to the provision of out-of-home care.

The Centre is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and plays a pivotal role in sector capability building.

The Centre is a diverse and inclusive workplace, committed to the health, wellbeing and cultural safety of our staff. We encourage applicants of any background, culture, gender, and experience to apply for roles as they become vacant.

Benefits of working at the Centre

• Up to three days additional leave over Christmas/New Year period
• Family friendly flexible working arrangements
• A flexible hybrid work-from-home arrangement
• Paid parental/carer/study leave
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
• A supportive and positive work environment
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Leave loading of 17.5%
• Attractive not-for-profit salary packaging (this boosts your income by reducing the amount of tax you pay), with Meal/Holiday accommodation benefit

Learning and Business Development Unit Summary

The Learning and Business Development (LBD) unit is responsible for developing and delivering learning and development (L&D) for the child, youth and family services sector and allied sectors. The team works closely with members and non-members to meet industry needs. We deliver nationally accredited training through the Centre’s RTO, industry-wide mandatory training and fee-for-service L&D solutions.

Program Summary

The Victorian Government acknowledges the critical and significant role of home-based carers and is committed to supporting carers to obtain the knowledge, skills and tools required to support children and young people in their care.

The Home-based Carer Learning & Development Program (the program) provides a comprehensive range of learning and development opportunities for a broad cohort of carers across Victoria, based upon the guiding principles (outlined below). The program also provides a safe space for carers to voice their stories and challenges and be supported across their caring journey.

Vision: All children and young people in home-based care in Victoria are supported by carers that are capable, confident, safe, and supported.

Purpose: To provide accessible, high-quality, relevant, and culturally safe learning and development activities and resources that equip Victorian home-based carers with the necessary skills and knowledge to undertake their critical caring role.

Goals

1. Home-based carers across Victoria have access to learning and development opportunities that cater to their diverse needs and care experiences.
2. Victoria’s diverse home-based carers feel included, valued, connected, supported, and empowered.
3. Service delivery is informed by sector agencies, peak bodies and home-based carers.
4. Learning and development content is evidence based and responds to the dynamic and varied needs of children in care.

Guiding principles

• Child centred
• Carer informed
• Evidence based
• Innovative
• Collaborative
• Culturally responsive
• Inclusive

Consortium

The Centre, the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) and Kinship Carers Victoria (KCV) have come together to form a consortium to guide and deliver the program. Each member of the consortium provides distinctive expertise and knowledge; collectively the consortium is committed to a program that best serves Victorian carers, underpinned by Aboriginal self-determination and effective governance.

Position Summary

This is a new position in the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare to lead the establishment and delivery of the Home-based Carer L&D Program (currently known as Carer KaFE).

The role of the Program Manager is to provide strategic leadership, guidance and coordination to ensure program activities and deliverables are met under the consortium. Working closely with a wide range of stakeholders, particularly the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) and the child and family welfare sector, carers, Governance Group members and the Executive Committee, the Program Manager is responsible for implementing and maintaining a successful program, throughout transition, establishment phases and then, business as usual.

The role will lead a small team and will work closely with key stakeholders to identify and coordinate the most relevant and engaging L&D activities in relevant subject areas and modes of delivery for carers. The Program Manager ensures that the program provides the best possible learning pathways for Victoria’s home-based carers, based on evidence and feedback from carers, carer peaks and community service organisations (CSOs).

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced, confident and highly skilled leader with outstanding project management skills, stakeholder engagement skills, written and verbal communication skills, together with learning and development expertise.

Reporting Line

• Reports to: Senior Manager, Learning and Business Development
• Reporting to this role: Engagement, Training & Events Coordinator; and Program Officer.
• The Program Manager will be supported by the Executive Committee that represents the consortium and report to the Governance Group on matters relating to the strategic direction of the program.

Key Accountabilities

Alongside the Executive Committee the Program Manager will oversee the program. Key areas of responsibility include the following:

• Manage the implementation of a culturally safe and responsive program and team underpinned by the principle of Aboriginal self-determination
• Manage the project cycle, including delivery of objectives, budget management, project planning, risk management, marketing strategies and reporting to DFFH, Governance Group and the Centre’s Board
• Build and nurture productive relationships with carers and personnel across child and family services, government and other key stakeholders to build awareness of and support for the program, in a wide range of geographical locations, and the opportunities it presents to support Victorian carers and the young people they care for • Coordinate the development of a Training Framework that will support the identification and development of relevant learning & development activities including but not limited to training, informed by carer experience and feedback, research evidence and practice expertise
• Guide and support quality assurance strategies, data informed decision making and continuous improvement in all areas across the program including L&D content and delivery and customer service
• Provide timely information and advice to the Executive Committee and the Governance Group to enable strategic and effective decision making
• Lead and support a dedicated program team responsible for carer and sector engagement, promotion and communications, and L&D coordination and delivery
• Represent the program on relevant committees and forums to identify opportunities and ensure the best possible outcomes for carers and young people in care

Organisational Requirements

• Maintain a work plan and carry out all duties in a manner consistent with the strategic plan and policies of the Centre
• Other duties as requested by the Senior Manager, Learning and Business Development within the spirit of the program and the Centre’s role as the peak body.

Key Selection Criteria

Essential

1. Content knowledge – Sound knowledge of the child and family services sector, and home based carers, and training processes and programs, adult learning and development.
2. Project/program management – Demonstrated experience leading projects/programs and being responsible for management of budgets, schedules, procurement, change management, risk management, reporting, and delivery of program objectives on time, to a high quality, and within budget.
3. Leadership skills – Demonstrated ability to lead, develop and manage a team, including the ability to plan, prioritise and influence individual and team performance to achieve outcomes and targets
4. Stakeholder management – Experience building relationships with stakeholders at all levels, including the ability to manage stakeholders’ expectations and facilitate discussions across high risk and complexity, to build consensus and address issues promptly and effectively.
5. Written and verbal communication skills –The ability to confidently convey ideas and information with clarity and a deep understanding of audience and purpose. High-level written skills, and the ability to communicate with multiple and diverse audiences.
6. Conceptual and analytical – Experience in synthesising information to identify and address problems effectively, to creatively develop options in a changing environment, and demonstrated understanding of the importance of capturing, translating and using the best available evidence/information to inform decisions.
7. Influence and negotiate – Ability to Influence others with a fair and considered approach and sound arguments, successfully manage challenging relationships with internal and external stakeholders, anticipate and minimise conflict, and lead and facilitate productive discussions to reach agreed outcomes

Qualifications

1. A relevant tertiary qualification in the community services sector, training or education (or at least 5 years equivalent experience).

TO APPLY

Please click 'Apply Now' and send a cover letter outlining your skills and experience, a one pager addressing the key selection criteria together with your CV via the recruitment platform.

If you have any queries about the role please contact Emily Mellon on 03 9094 3506 or at [email protected] using the subject line: Program Manager - Home-based Carer L&D Program enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.