Job No: 15444

Location: Sunshine Coast, QLD

About the Organisation

The Integrated Family and Youth Service (IFYS) provides a range of specialist support and intervention programs for children, young people and families. Working closely with other non-government and government agencies, the organisation operates from numerous locations throughout Queensland ranging from Brisbane through to the far north of the state.

IFYS Statement of Intent:

The Integrated Family and Youth Service aims to provide opportunities in accepting environments for children, young people and families to take responsibility for their own lives and to assist them to actively participate in the community of their choice.

IFYS believes that:

• When they require assistance, children, young people and families have a right to access services and support that values flexibility, responsiveness and individual uniqueness;
  
• Children, young people and families deserve to be accepted in a caring and non-judgmental manner, and the right to make and learn from their mistakes;
  
• Children, young people and families have a right to reach their full potential and to live independently in their community of choice;
  
• Living independently in a community also includes acceptance of the responsibilities of a resident of that household or community.

About the Opportunity

Integrated Family and Youth Services has an exciting opportunity for a Team Leader (Foster Kinship Care) to join its team on the Sunshine Coast.

Within this vital and highly rewarding role, you will lead a professional team with the purpose of providing a continuum of quality child protection services to children, young people, families, foster and kinship carers within IFYS communities. 

You will engage in direct service delivery as well as contribute to the establishment, maintenance and evaluation of operational plans, procedures and protocols which impact on the day-to-day running of foster and kinship care services and the wider organisation.

Some of your specific responsibilities will include:

• Coordinating, and actively participating in a range of direct foster and kinship care support services to children, young people, families, foster and kinship carers to meet their individual needs;
• Working collaboratively with key stakeholders, to provide coordinated responses to the needs of individual children, young people and families with the child protection system (foster and kinship);
• Ensuring that these services are determined in collaboration with key partners, children, young people, families, foster and kinship carers through appropriate assessment and case planning processes;
• Developing, implementing and reviewing of appropriate supervision, training and professional development processes and opportunities for team and for all team staff;
• Providing first contact for critical incident debriefing of team staff; and
• Ensuring team staff are aware of, and in conformity with, agency policies and procedures, as well as, providing opportunity for team members to inform the ongoing development of those policies and procedures.

To be successful in this role, you will require a relevant degree in social sciences, psychology, welfare, community or youth work, along with a Suitability Notice (Commission for Children and Young People) and a current driver's licence. As the successful candidate, you will also have experience in and/or qualification in management and administration and be able to provide evidence of commitment to continuous learning and personal professional development.

Ideally, you will have high level written/verbal communication and computer skills, along with the ability to relate to a wide range of people in a variety of situations. You will also have well developed planning and evaluation skills, a sound understanding of financial management processes, and well developed administrative skills, including high level computer skills.

IFYS is seeking an organised individual with the ability to lead, supervise and develop a team of staff. Importantly, you will have a strong commitment to and understanding of the principles of client directed and client centred practice and a clear understanding of case management and community development processes.

The successful applicant will be rewarded with an attractive remuneration package. In addition, salary sacrificing of up to 30% is available for permanent positions.

IFYS is committed to staff development and provides full training in its Therapeutic Crisis Intervention framework, and up to $1200 per annum professional development/training grants. In addition, you will enjoy ongoing support / training and the potential to work across a number of services throughout Queensland.

This is a fantastic opportunity to fast track your career with a highly respected, community organisation, committed to providing professional development opportunities for its staff.

Please note: Applications close at 5pm on Monday 15th March 2010.

Best of all, you will receive the immense job satisfaction of fulfilling a vital community role - Apply Now!