• Intensive Family Support Service
• Employment Term: Full-time permanent
• Location: Logan
• Remuneration: From $88k + 10.5% Super + Salary Packaging + Penalties & Allowances

The Intensive Family Support Service assists complex, vulnerable families who are at risk of entering the Child Protection system. In 2022 our Logan team provided support to 300 families, including over 750 children.

We are a voluntary service who visits families in their homes approximately once a week for up to 12 months, enabling us to work together to keep children safe and achieve family goals. We provide tailored case management support to address goals through a range of interventions from therapeutic, educational, advocacy, in-home practical activities and referrals. We respect people’s rights, values, beliefs and culture and recognise that families play a critical role in their children’s growth, development, learning and sense of belonging.

The program has a range of Specialist Workers covering Domestic Family Violence, Intake, Culture, and Community Development who consult and support the team in achieving better outcomes for our families. The IFS team engage in monthly supervision and monthly group practice reflection sessions to build individual and team skills. There are also opportunities to participate in professional development.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provide case management in a fast paced, high volume work environment including documenting assessments, developing and actioning family case plans that address parenting concerns and child wellbeing.
2. Provide active co-ordination and lead case management to ensure families and / or individual family members, particularly children or young people, receive the right mix of services in a timely manner. These supports are inclusive, co-ordinated, intensive, collaborative, and aimed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the child.
3. Conduct risk assessments and safety planning, particularly where children are at risk of harm or when domestic family violence is occurring.
4. Build on parent and family knowledge, skills and supports to meet the needs of the child, optimise their development and ability to participate in family and community life.
5. Develop and maintain positive relationships with other service providers, Government Departments and Community Agencies to facilitate positive client outcomes.
6. Work in accordance with relevant Quality and Risk Frameworks, guidelines, and Acts.

What makes a difference for us?

To be successful in this role you must have:

• A tertiary qualification (minimum Bachelor Degree) in Social Work, Human Services, and Psychology OR in a related discipline with substantial experience, knowledge and skills to perform the role.
• Current QLD working with children check (Blue Card).
• Current open QLD drivers licence.
• Current COVID vaccinations in line with Uniting Care’s COVID-19 vaccination policy.
• Eligibility to work in Australia.

Appointment to the role is subject to the following:

• Ideally have a minimum of 2 years’ experience working with children, young people and families with complex needs, including child protection.
• A sound knowledge and understanding of Domestic Family Violence and the impact on children.
• An understanding of First Nations peoples, cultures and society, and the issues which impact them, with a commitment to culturally safe practice.
• A sound knowledge and understanding in Attachment Theory, Trauma-informed practice, and Child Development.

What makes a difference for you?

At UnitingCare we are leaders in crisis response, the protection of vulnerable children, financial resilience and family wellbeing. Our Family and Child Services team work passionately across Queensland to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

• Flexible work arrangements to support work-life balance
• Save tax and increase your take home pay by salary packaging your everyday living expenses and bills (up to $15,900) and meal entertainment (up to $2,650) per annum
• A recognition and rewards platform, providing employee discounts at hundreds of retailers, including everyday expenses, holidays, health insurance, annual awards celebration, wellbeing and employee assistance programs
• A positive and inclusive team based on respect, shared standards, strong values and a commitment to serving others
• 12 weeks paid parental leave and 2 weeks paid partner leave, available after 6 months service, in addition to the government scheme
• Diversity and inclusive leave, offering paid gender affirmation leave and cultural leave options (paid and unpaid) for those who may celebrate Lunar New Year, Diwali, Ramadan, NAIDOC weeks and other significant cultural events
• Career development opportunities to challenge yourself, grow and make a meaningful difference

We’d love you to be part of our UnitingCare family

Our Family and Child Services team are passionate about their work with parents to ensure children remain safe in the home and parents have the skills, resilience and capability to effectively parent and meet their children’s developmental, educational, health and well-being needs. We also provide targeted services to men who are seeking to change their behaviour. Joining our Family and Child Services team, you’ll also be welcomed as part of the UnitingCare family. The second-largest Queensland employer, we’re a proud not-for-profit with more than 16,500 staff and 9,000 volunteers across our brands of BlueCare, Lifeline, ARRCS, The Wesley Hospital, Buderim Private Hospital, St Stephen’s Hospital, and St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital, and have been leading by example for more than 100 years. Our team are compassionate, inclusive and committed to the work we do, helping people live life in all its fullness.

Diversity & Inclusion

Our approach is simple – everybody is welcome here. At UnitingCare, diversity is at the core of our who we are, our mission and our values. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to all employees no matter their sex, race, culture, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity. Demonstrating our commitment to reconciliation and building long-term employment opportunities for First Nations peoples, UnitingCare strongly encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants for this position.

Safe workplace

We work hard to make our services welcoming and safe for every person. We are united in keeping children, young people and the elderly safe from harm, within our services, workplaces and the communities we support. We are committed to speaking up loudly for their safety.

Vaccination

All employees are required to comply with statutory and Government requirements and UnitingCare's COVID-19 vaccination requirements policy. The successful applicant must be able to provide a Covid-19 Certificate before commencing employment.

How to Apply

To be considered for this role, please submit your current resume and a covering letter addressing at least two of the Key Responsibilities (no more than 2 pages). More information is available in the Position Description provided during the application process. We are assessing applications and holding interviews as applications are received, so we encourage you to apply without delay.