Practitioner, Family Mental Health Support Services

at  CatholicCare Victoria

CENTRAL OFFICE

4-6 Peel Street North, Ballarat VIC 3350
PO Box 2537, Bakery Hill VIC 3354
T 03 5337 8999
E people&culture@catholiccarevic.org.au

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Practitioner, Family Mental Health Support Service (FMHSS)
Program Mental Health and Wellbeing
Location: Mildura. Travel to other locations will be required.
Reports To: Team Leader, Mental Health and Wellbeing
Award and Classification: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award 2010, Level 5
This Position Description intends to describe the general scope, level of work, accountabilities and responsibilities
of the position. It does not necessarily include all duties and responsibilities.
This Position Description may be altered in accordance with the changing requirements of the position.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Practitioner, Family Mental Health Support Service, will provide intensive, long-term, early intervention support
for children, young people and their families; short-term immediate assistance for children, young people and their
families; and community outreach, mental health education, community development activities, and therapeutic
group-based programs.
The position requires capacity to work flexibly outside of core business hours to support the work with children,
young people and their families, including outreach and outpost travel.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH, MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

• Provision of community outreach, mental health education and community
  development activities to promote mental health and wellbeing for children and young

people.

• Facilitation of group work with children and young people to improve knowledge on

mental health matters.

• Facilitation of community development activities to strengthen capacity of

communities to respond to issues that impact well-being for children and young people.

• Facilitation of, and participation in, community events.

Service Quality • Ensure compliance with the Mental Health Act (2014) and with the Children, Youth and
Families Act (2005), Family Law Amendment Act 2008, and other relevant legislation,
and to operate at all times with awareness and understanding of the provisions of the

Acts.

• Ensure compliance with the Victorian Child Safe Standards and National Principles for

Child Safe Organisations.

• Ensure all client information remains confidential as per the Privacy Act 1988 (Cwlth),

National Privacy Principles (NPPs), organisational guidelines, program requirements

and industry/sector expectations.

• Maintain client data and information as required by legislation and funding body

requirements.

• Ensure the accurate and timely entry of data and case notes as outlined in program

guidelines and in accordance with organisational client data management protocols and

guidelines.

• Ensure case throughput as required by funding and service agreements and

organisational supervision.

• Participate in evaluation processes to improve client outcomes and service

responsiveness and flexibility.
Stakeholder • Develop, maintain and strengthen existing and new linkages with a range of service
Engagement providers and stakeholders, including however not limited to: mental health services;
alcohol and other drug services; family violence services; homelessness services;
education services; housing services; legal assistance services; family law courts; family
support services; medical services such as general practitioners; Services Australia; and

any other relevant services, such as financial counselling and health services.

• Participate in network, alliance and sector activities as delegated.

Professional • Participate in training and education relevant to the role as identified.

Development • Engage and participate in supervision with line management.

• Participate in performance management reviews.

Team • Contribute to a culture of mutual support, learning and practice excellence by
maintaining currency with research and evidence-based practice.

Participation

• Contribute to building team capacity and effectiveness to deliver evidence and

strengths-based programs, including participation in team meetings and reflective

practice.

• Participate in organisational meetings, working groups and activities as required.

The position is also required to perform other duties as lawfully and reasonably directed.

POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS

The position is required to undertake the responsibilities of the position adhering to all CatholicCare Victoria
policies, procedures and practice guidelines and relevant standards and/or legislation including, but not limited

to:

• Employee Code of Conduct for CatholicCare Victoria;
• information privacy and confidentiality;
• Equal Opportunity, anti-discrimination and anti-bullying; and
• inclusion and diversity.

QUALIFICATIONS AND/OR TRAINING

1. Relevant degree with relevant experience or associate diploma with substantial experience, or
   qualifications in more than one discipline as relevant to the role, or extensive experience within mental
   health and wellbeing, with a focus on working with children and young people in an early intervention
   context.

EXPERIENCE

1. Demonstrated experience in service coordination and the application of case management principles and
   practice, including experience and understanding of risk and needs assessment frameworks and
   applications.
2. Demonstrated experience in the facilitation of pyscho-educational group work for children and adults
   within current research-based industry accredited frameworks.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

1. Demonstrated knowledge of mental health issues that impact families, children, and young people and the
   application of relevant theories, pyscho-educational interventions within a case management and family
   inclusive community-based approach.
2. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the social and environmental factors as well as the risk and
   protective factors that impact on the development of mental health issues in children and young people.
3. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively across service sectors and with organisations
   that are primary sources for identifying children and youth at risk of mental health issues / mental illness.
4. Demonstrated understanding of practicing in a culturally safe way and of the requirement for Aboriginal
   self-determination.
5. Demonstrated understanding of appropriate behaviors when engaging with children and young people,
   including those with a disability and from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds.
6. Demonstrated understanding of evidence-based practice development and continuous learning.
7. Highly developed interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, including report writing and
   priority and time management capability.
8. Experience in service promotion and community education, including development and maintenance of
   stakeholder relationships and facilitation of community and stakeholder forums.
9. Knowledge of relevant legislation and an understanding of funding body guidelines and organisational
   practice instructions.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Current driver’s licence.
• Current Victorian Working with Children Check.
• Current Australia-wide Police Check.
• A Statutory Declaration (provided by CatholicCare Victoria) to declare that: you have not lived overseas
  for more than 12 months in one country; OR if you have lived overseas for more than 12 months, that you

have no criminal history overseas.

• International Police Check (where applicable).
• Right to Work in Australia.

Please note, CatholicCare Victoria will conduct the Police Check/s.
It is the incumbent’s responsibility to maintain a current valid Driver’s Licence, Victorian Working with Children
Check and Right to Work in Australia.
The incumbent is required to agree to undertake a Police Check every three (3) years (or earlier to comply with
specific contractual or legislative obligations and requirements).

KEY RESULT AREAS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The order in which key result areas and responsibilities are listed is not necessarily significant.

KEY RESULT AREA KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Service Delivery • Applying case management principles and practice, work directly with children, young
people and families and cares in accordance with legislation, program guidelines and

practice instructions.

• Provide quality, culturally responsive, respectful and inclusive services to Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander children, young people and their families and relevant community

members.

• Provide quality, culturally responsive, respectful and inclusive services to children,

young people and their families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.