Outreach Worker

• Classification: Casual Level 1 pay point 3

Position Objectives

A rewarding and challenging role, as an Outreach Worker, you will be instrumental in providing support for parents and making positive contributions to their family life.

You will be supporting parents with implementing strategies to work towards their parenting goals within their home and local community. This may include, implementing routines to support their children’s education, meal planning and preparation, maintaining their home environment etc. P.O.P will match your experience and interests with like-minded individuals as the relationship between the participant and outreach worker is an essential part of providing quality services.

P.O.P delivers outreach parenting services that are individualised and fosters the development and capacity of parents/caregivers impacted by disability, mental health or learning difficulties who want to sustain their family unit.  We provide a unique, individualised and flexible approach focused on working alongside the participant, their family and their professional care team.  

Who are We?

P.O.P offers parenting outreach support to parents/caregivers with a cognitive or neurological condition, mental health or learning difficulties and are at risk of family breakdown. This service supports families within their home and local community. 

Mission Statement

P.O.P delivers outreach parenting services that are individualised and fosters the development and capacity of the participant’s parenting skills.  

P.O.P is committed to working with parents/caregivers impacted by disability, mental health or learning difficulties who want to sustain their family unit.  We provide a unique, individualised and flexible approach focused on working alongside the participant, their family and their professional care team.   

Key Responsibility Areas (or Duties and Responsibilities)

a) Record keeping:

• Download the Client Management System application onto your smart phone.
• Completing case notes on shiftcare during the last 15 minutes of each shift.
• Recording start and finish time of shift on Shiftcare.

b) Training / Professional Development:

• Complete induction process
• Attend face to face training as required. 
• Complete online mandatory training as required.
• Attend team meetings as scheduled.
• Attend supervision as scheduled.

c) Direct Participant Duties: 

• Establish a rapport and working relationship with your participant and their family.
• Providing practical support and role modelling to participants which may include helping with household tasks, grocery shopping, preparing meals, establishing morning and evening routines.
• Provide transport to the participant when specified by P.O.P management.
• Attending care team meetings in relation to participants or providing feedback to management in preparation for these meetings. 
• Supporting the family to implement strategies/schedules/visuals as recommended by the therapy team.
• To always maintain professional boundaries with the participant and their family. 
• To respect and uphold the privacy and confidentiality of the participant and their family.
• Advise management when supplies- gloves, band aids, hand sanitiser need replenishment.

d) Victorian Drivers Licence and Vehicle

The employee must hold a current Victorian Drivers licence, without any restrictions, to undertake this role. You must also have a Victorian registered vehicle and full comprehensive insurance to provide participants transport if required.

e) Working with Children’s Check, NDIS Screening Check and National Police Check

This position requires a Working with Children’s Check, NDIS Screening Check and National Police Check. 

The incumbent in this role, is required to undertake (in accordance with relevant legislation) regular Police Checks and Working with Children’s Check to maintain a successful and clear Working with Children’s Check and Police Check to work in this position.- replace with the below

The incumbent in this role, is required to (in accordance with relevant legislation) maintain a successful and clear Working with Children’s Check and NDIS Screening Check to work in this position

f) Organisational Relationship/Reporting Arrangements

• This role reports directly to the Directors.
• This role does not have any direct reports.

g) Accountability and Extent of Authority

• An employee will perform broad tasks involving the utilisation of a range of basic skills in the provision of supporting participants to work towards their parenting goals as outlined in the work plan.  
• The employee is responsible for the quality of their work and must complete all set tasks as directed by management.
• The employee will receive regular supervision. Employee handbook and a workbook to support them in their role.

 h) Judgement and Decision Making

• Work tasks are clearly defined. The tasks to be performed will be identified and will require the use of a range of techniques and methods which are outlined in the work plan and discussed with management. 
• An employee may resolve minor problems that relate to immediate work tasks and any other concerns need to be escalated to management.

i) Specialist Knowledge and Skills 

Indicative but not exclusive tasks include: the undertaking of semi-skilled work alongside the participant in a mentoring role, including household chores, shopping relating to preparation and cooking of meals, supporting participants to develop and implement routines.

j) Management Skills

N/A

k) Interpersonal Skills

Positions in this level will require good oral communication skills and written skills, with participant, participant’s care team, members of the public and other employees.

Qualifications and Experience

• Have experience supporting individuals living with disability, mental health or learning difficulties.
• Hold qualifications in, or are currently studying, a Certificate IV in Disability Support is desirable but not mandatory.
• Have good core values in relation to inclusiveness and respect.
• Have a passion for supporting people to achieve their goals and aspirations.
• Excellent communication and people skills; and are not afraid to ask questions.
• Have empathy and understanding for individuals and families.
• Remain calm under pressure, identify risk factors and make sound decisions.
• Have understanding and knowledge of the Disability Act 2006 (Victoria) and knowledge of supporting people with cognitive and neurological impairments, mental health and learning difficulties.

Key Selection Criteria

P.O.P operates a stringent safety screening procedure for all preferred candidates in line with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission requirements and requires all applicants to provide the following licences and certificates prior to commencement: 

• Two Professional Referees;
• A cleared NDIS Worker Screening Check (this must be cleared prior to interview);
• Current (Employee) Working with Children Check;
• A Cleared Police Check
• A current First Aid and CPR certificate;
• A current Drivers License and vehicle;
• Comprehensive Car Insurance; and
• Proof of Australian working rights if applicable.