The Department of Communities, Child Protection and Family Support (CPFS) has a mandate to ensure that vulnerable children are safe, thriving and valued by society. Whilst there is a strong focus on capacity building within families to keep children safely cared for in their family network, there is a number of children who require out of home care.
The majority of children are cared for in various out of home care arrangements. However there are also children who have experienced significant trauma, that has impacted on their emotional and psychological development, resulting in highly challenging and risk-taking behaviours. These children need specialised intensive therapeutic care that cannot be provided in a group living situation and services need to be individually tailored to their specific issues.
THE OPPORTUNITY
There are currently 9 full time and 1 part time (0.50 FTE) fixed term positions available for immediate filling for an initial period of 6 months with the possibility of further extension(s). In addition to casual opportunities available.
Other suitable applicants will be placed in a pool from which appointments will be made for this or similar future vacancies (casual, fixed term, full time or part time) that arise within the next 12 months across the Department of Communities. Any appointments made from this pool may also have the possibility of further extension(s).
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
We are looking for staff that are interested in being involved in an exciting new project that will use a multi-disciplinary team approach as well as utilising a multi-agency approach where necessary. The role is an active one, and staff will need to be able to physically manage children; respond to behavioural escalations; respond quickly to prevent children from harming themselves or others. There is an expectation of fulfilling domestic duties to ensure that the house remains homelike and safe.
The attached Job Description Form (JDF) provides more information about the position. For further information we encourage you to contact Helen McFarland, Director Secure Care on (08) 9295 6004.
THIS HOUSE IS SPECIALISED:
This project will provide therapeutic care for either an individual child or at times 2 children. All children considered for this project will be in the Care of the CEO and will have previously undergone a range of assessments, and are likely to be involved in multiple agencies. This is not either a first response, or an option to respond to crisis.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
The psychological demands of the role will be high. Staff may be exposed to incidents and risks of verbal threats and personal insults, aggression, violence and other challenging situations. Additionally, staff may be exposed to self-harming of an extreme and confronting nature. The behaviour of the children in this project is likely to be volatile, requiring staff to be confident, resilient, responsive and have the ability to make decisions based on professional risk assessment. Staff will be provided with specialist training including training in the Sanctuary Model, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention and Understanding Trauma, before beginning work, and ongoing training for the life of the project. In response to specific and ongoing challenges staff will be provided with regular supportive supervision sessions and also provided with debriefing sessions with their colleagues on a regular basis.
YOU MAY WORK IN OTHER THERAPEUTIC SERVICES:
The issues and behaviours that result in a child requiring care in this project, will mean that there is likely to be times when the children require in-patient care/treatment in other facilities. During these periods the staff will be relocated to work in other Therapeutic Care residential facilities and services, including the Secure Care Centre. This expectation will be written into the contract.
Join the Department of Communities
Apply online by clicking the ‘Apply for Job’ button (above and below) and provide the following documents in Word or PDF format only:
- A current resume/CV.
- A 3 page summary outlining the key responsibilities and achievements you have had during your career in the context of the job description and essential work-related requirements (selection criteria).
- An application form (for hard copy applications only).
For technical difficulties while applying online or general recruitment enquiries please contact Hayley Greeshaw, HR Consultant on (08) 6552 9126.
Equity and Diversity
The Department of Communities is striving towards breaking down barriers for all West Australians through eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of our service delivery. The agency embraces diversity and firmly believes that the best services come from a workplace where varied viewpoints are welcomed and encouraged every day.
Lodgement is system generated, any submissions on or after 4:00pm will not be accepted
LATE OR EMAIL APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED
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Attachments:-
Application Form
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jdf - senior residential care worker, level 3.docx
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senior residential care project _job application kit.pdf
You can view and print these PDF attachments by downloading Adobe Reader.