About the Organisation

Life Without Barriers is a leading social purpose, not for profit organisation of 7,000 employees working in more than 440 communities across Australia. We support children, young people and families, people with disability, older people and people with mental illness. We work with people who are homeless and refugees and asylum seekers. 

Our Purpose is to partner with people to change their lives for the better. Our values state our beliefs, drive our purpose and drive everything we do. All people engaged by Life Without Barriers are required to uphold our values of being: Responsive, Imaginative, Courageous, Respectful and promoting Relationships.

We want to employ people who reflect the diversity of our clients to ensure we can support each client's individual needs and wants. We encourage people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background and people with disability to apply.

About the role

We currently have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Child, Youth & Family practitioner to join our Mackay team in a management position. The Program Manager oversees and manages the day-to-day operations of our Out of Home Care Programs.

This position would suit someone who is passionate about leading and developing a team that is providing a safe and nurturing environment to children and young people in Out of Home Care using a trauma informed approach. Familiarity with the CARE framework would be beneficial.
  
This position is being offered on a permanent, full time basis at our Mackay office. The working hours are 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Monday to Friday with a monthly RDO.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, lead, motivate and manage a team of Case Managers, Supporter of Carers, and Youth Workers
• Overseeing the caseloads of direct reports and providing practical support as required
• Manage the OOHC program compliant with legislation, standards, contractual requirements and internal policy
• Ensure delivery of program services in accordance with program budget, local business plans and in line with client needs and plans
• Develop, lead, motivate and manage a multi-disciplinary team.
• Ensure a consistent standard of quality is delivered for program in accordance with regulations prescribed in relevant legislation and funding agency standards.
• Manage risks and issues arising in the course of service management

Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated experience working with individuals, families and communities from a strength-based, culturally appropriate perspective that are part of the out of home care sector.
• Demonstrated experience in working within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrated experience in managing competing priorities and to deliver high quality outcomes within agreed timeframes.
• A demonstrated commitment to the care and protection of clients.
• Demonstrated understanding of impact of trauma and attachment on children and young people and complex behaviours.
• Demonstrated experience in team leadership and management.
• Demonstrated ability to manage services and programs within a budget.

Essential Criteria

• Recognised Human Services or other relevant qualification.
• Significant experience in the child protection and out of home care sector.
• Strong coordination, leadership and peer support skills.
• Highly developed critical thinking and reflective practice skills
• High level communication, influencing, liaison, negotiation and mediation skills.
• Current Drivers Licence.

Successful candidates will be required to clear probity checks including National Criminal History Record Check and Working with Children Check (where relevant to the role).

Benefits

• An attractive remuneration package will be offered to the successful applicant, including trade of tool vehicle, mobile phone and laptop + non for-profit tax reduction options.
• Onsite shared parking options.
• Supportive team environment.
• Salary packaging tax benefits, meal entertainment benefit, novated leasing and more.
• Growing organisation with great career opportunities.
• Monthly RDO. 

How to Apply

Include your resume and covering letter in one document, click ‘Apply’ and follow the prompts. For any enquiries including persons with disability that require adjustments, contact [email protected] using the subject line: Program Manager - Mackay enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as applications are continuously reviewed prior to the closing date; and as such the closing date is subject to change without notice.

We are dedicated to playing our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and bring continuity of care and support to our clients. If you are successful, we will discuss with you an alternative to a face to face interview. 

Life Without Barriers supports the Royal Commission into violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability. We believe people with disability need to be heard and for these experiences to influence how support services like ours are delivered. View our statement (https://bit.ly/2GzZGWA).