Purpose of this Position Key Relationships

Title:
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Program Leader
Community Services, Southern
Out of Home Care
Southern Division
April 2015
Full Time, Ongoing
75
Connections UnitingCare is a community organisation with a long and proud history of
supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged people.
We offer a range of services across a continuum of care from early parenting through to counselling
and in-home support. We provide innovative and early intervention programs that support children,
young people and their families giving them a better chance in life now and in the future.
More detailed information can be found at www.connections.org.au
Purpose of this Position
This role is responsible for the leadership and development of out of home care services across the
Southern division including:
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Adoption
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Permanent Care
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Adoption Information Service
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Enhanced Therapeutic Contact Service
The incumbent will also be the Principal Officer of the Adoption Program and so will also have
responsibilities as guardian of children relinquished for adoption, until the guardianship is transferred
to the adoptive parents through an Adoption Order. This includes on call responsibilities.
Key Relationships
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Divisional Managers
Program Leaders
Connections Community, Business, HR and Quality Services
Department of Health and Human Services
Advisory Committees
Community service networks and key providers
Other funding bodies and partners
Page 1 » Connections UnitingCare Position Description
Responsibilities and Accountabilities
Operational Plan
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Contribute to and support the Connections Strategic Leadership Team in the execution and
achievement of the Strategic Plan and business operational objectives;
Provide leadership, guidance and coaching to ensure thaft goals are implemented and
responsibility is taken where required;
Provide management reporting as required.
Leadership and Service Delivery
 Lead and direct the implementation of Program/Service in accordance with operational plan within
the division;
 Ensure the Program/Service implementation of all Connections policies and procedures;
 Ensure program compliance with the requirements of funding and service agreements;
 Ensure Program/Service is suitably documented;
 Ensure reviews and evaluation of the program (including service documentation) are an
established and routine process;
 Ensure that learning from research, program documentation review and evaluation, quality
assurance findings, client feedback, program performance, data collection and service expertise
and experience are integrated into service development and practice;
 Lead initiatives to identify areas of Program/Service development and innovations consistent with
the operational and strategic plan;
 Ensure appropriate information and record keeping, document storage and retrieval systems in
line with the agency directions and procedures in knowledge management.
Quality Management and Improvement
 Ensure that the principles of Continuous Quality Improvement are an embedded element in all
staff practice;
 Ensure a consistent application of the agency approach to Quality Management, Quality
Assurance and Improvement;
 Work with Management to establish both Connections generic systems and procedures e.g.
Service Delivery Reports, as well as local systems and procedures to lead and implement agreed
quality assurance and improvement priorities;
 Lead program/service quality assurance programs to ensure compliance requirements are met;
 Provide training and development to staff in quality principles, systems and tools as required by
the agency.
Financial Management
 Contribute to the annual budget and review of financial performance in consultation with the
Divisional Manager;
 Ensure program expenditure and income is within budget, identifying risks and developing
remedial strategies;
 Monitor, manage and report on area budgets;
 Monitor expenditure and take action to advise of potential variations, and strategies to address
problems or potential problem areas in a timely manner;
 Perform walk around reviews of each workplace annually to inform property and procurement,
OH&S and budgetary decision making and management;
 Ensure administrative policies, procedures and controls are in place to monitor expenditure.
People/ Service Performance Management
 Foster the development of the Connections identity and culture, encouraging a shared sense of
meaning and belonging with staff;
 Ensure that all programs, services, activities achieve high professional standards and quality
outcomes;
 Forecast and plan staffing ratios/mix as part of business planning, in consultation with HR;
 Attract, recruit and retain skilled and competent staff, in consultation with HR;
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Ensure appropriate induction, management and development of staff in line with Business Plans,
Executive team directions and Connections policies;
Plan and manage staff development needs to ensure skill sets align with current and future
business needs and objectives;
Ensure regular meetings with direct Managers and other staff as required to discuss program and
service delivery goals and progress, providing guidance, support and build relationships;
Ensure early identification and action on potentially difficult staffing/employment relations issues,
in consultation with the Divisional Manager and HR;
Ensure compliance with performance management policies and procedures;
Undertake formal staff performance review and development discussions bi-annually and annually
to review, plan and monitor job role, staff performance and professional development needs;
Manage organisational change with Managers and teams in a consultative and timely manner.
Relationship management and promotion of the work of Connections
 Lead the enhancement of Connections profile, branding and reputation through effective liaison
with external stakeholders;
 Develop and manage relationships with Government departments, funding bodies, other agencies
providing related services, relevant community groups, Uniting Church congregations and other
key stakeholders;
 Remain informed of developments in the sector and interpret within the Connections organisation;
 Develop effective partnering arrangements with agencies to provide high levels of service
integration and coordination;
 Advocate for and with service users and community groups;
 Ensure opportunities to promote the work of the organisation in the community are explored and
utilised fully;
 Promote Connections values, mission and vision within all programs;
 Create opportunities for communication across Connections through meeting forums, practice
forums, training, and other organisation wide events and processes.
Risk Management
 Implement risk management strategies, in consultation with the senior management team, peers
and staff;
 Identify and manage risk in accordance with the agency risk management frameworks, including
legal, client privacy and confidentiality, OH&S and industrial relations;
 Ensure all audits and risk reporting processes are implemented in a timely fashion, taking
appropriate action to minimise future risk to individuals and Connections;
 Ensure briefing of the Divisional Manager on circumstances and management of Critical Incident
Reports;
 Provide timely reporting of incident reports, client complaints and other risk issues;
 Ensure implementation of agreed OH&S strategies, policies and procedures to ensure safe
workplaces, practices and emergency procedures;
 Ensure that OH&S is included as part of program and team leader responsibilities and that OH&S
is on all regular team meeting agendas;
 Ensure the proactive management of Workcover and Rehabilitation policy and procedures by all
Managers.
Key Selection Criteria
Knowledge / Experience / Qualifications
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A Human Services qualification in Social Work/Psychology/Social Science in accordance with the
regulations of the Adoption Act (1984);
Suitable to act as Principal Officer – Adoption;
Demonstrated experience in management, leadership, monitoring, review, evaluation and
development (minimum five years);
Demonstrated knowledge of and experience working with children, young people and their families
in the out of home care sector.
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Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in the use of current theoretical approaches for
working with children, young people and families including developmental theory, social-ecological
theory, psychodynamic theory and family systems theory;
Significant practice skills to underpin the management of intake, decisions regarding caregiver
applicants’ suitability for adoption and permanent care and effective placement decisions for
children referred to the Adoption and Permanent Care Program;
Demonstrated understanding of appropriate referral networks and of health and welfare service
systems in Victoria;
A strong knowledge and understanding of the application of relevant legislation, Acts and
Regulations;
Demonstrated experience in contemporary people management practices and experience and
skills in leading and managing a multidisciplinary team;
An understanding of performance management methodology and practices;
Able to contribute to resource management plans including budget preparation and management
of effective financial expenditure controls;
Strong capacity to monitor professional standards of practice and program performance working in
accordance with quality management principles, quality assurance and improvement systems;
Demonstrated experience and skills in policy development;
Demonstrated experience in preparation of tenders and submissions;
An understanding of OH&S and EEO principles;
A satisfactory Police Check and Working with Children Check;
Current Victorian driver’s license.
Technical Competencies
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Demonstrated high level communication, interpersonal, negotiation and relationship building skills;
Demonstrated strong and consultative leadership and coaching skills;
Strong and demonstrated capacity to lead, manage and report on the performance of multiple
programs;
Demonstrated ability to build, develop and motivate individuals and teams;
Strong working knowledge of the Acts, Regulations, statutory obligations, and areas of risk in the
community services sector;
A strong capacity for creative and innovative practice development;
Demonstrated planning and organisation skills;
Demonstrated analytical and interpretive skills;
Sound judgment, decision making and problem solving skills;
Sound tender and submission development skills;
Strong report writing skills;
Basic to medium level personal computer skills in MS Software.
.Personal Attributes
 A strong commitment to the mission and values of the Connections organisation;
 Professional, confident approach and manner in dealings with others;
 High moral and ethical standards in all relationships and dealings;
 Achievement and results oriented;
 Open, honest and flexible approach to communications;
 Able to build and foster relationships with all stakeholders;
 Demonstrates a strong work ethic and at the same time is a positive role model for others in
maintaining an effective work/life balance;
 Demonstrates collegiate and team behaviours striving for co-operative and professional
relationships with peers and others;
 Decisiveness with due regard for all available information and the outcomes/consequences;
 Is able to admit to mistakes, seeing these as an opportunity for reflection, learning and
development;
 Committed to own continuous learning and development.
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The position is based at Windsor, however the incumbent will be required to travel to other
Connections offices and locations.
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