Children’s Educational Support Worker – Residential Servcies

Safe Steps is the only 24/7, family violence response centre in Victoria, providing a “state-wide entry point” for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence. Services include information and referral, crisis response, specialist family violence risk assessment, safety planning, Webchat, and access to residential crisis accommodation.

Our vision is safety, support and respect for all victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.

Within the parameters of our constitution, service philosophy and the policy framework established by the Board, and under the direction and supervision of the 2IC Senior Practitioner and Manager Residential Services, the Children’s Educational Support Worker – Residential Services will work as part of the Victorian state-wide Family Violence service, supporting the provision of a specialist support service to child victim-survivors accommodated by the service.

The Children’s Educational Support Worker (Residential Services) is expected to uphold organisation’s policies and procedures as well as the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing and Health and Human Services Standards, which include the following obligations:

• to respect client confidentiality
• to obtain consent for the disclosure of information about a client
• to inform any client who wishes to make a complaint about the organisation of their right to do so, and to assist them to initiate a complaint.

Safe Steps’ locations and unlisted telephone numbers may not be disclosed to any other person except in accordance with service procedures. The locations and unlisted telephone numbers of any high-security refuges may not be disclosed to any other person other than in accordance with the instructions of each such service.

Collaborate with staff, schools and parents to obtain relevant learning resources and strategies to implement at an individual and/or group level.

• Assess the individual learning requirements and goals for each child for the period of their stay in service.
• Develop and implement individual and group learning plans, incorporating indoor and outdoor activities.
• Maintain and upgrade therapy resources in consultation with the multidisciplinary Residential Team.

Educational Support

• Provide educational support and guidance to children and young people residing in Residential services short-term crisis accommodation.
• Tutor children on schoolwork provided by the child’s school, or provide age/stage-appropriate educational material to support children in their learning journey.
• Provide individualised support and guidance to meet the unique needs of each child, including those with special educational needs or language barriers.
• Engage children and young people in Art Therapy and regulation.
• Assess and monitor each child’s progress, providing regular feedback to staff and parent.
• Create a safe space for children and young people by building relationships, advocating for their educational rights and interests, using strengths-based language, de-escalation and sensory tools.
• Create a safe and inclusive learning environment that promotes positive behaviour, social and emotional wellbeing and academic success.

Program Administration

• Keep accurate client records in line with quality, auditing, and accreditation standards.

Program Evaluation

• Gather information and feedback from children, schools and parents to assist with the monitoring and evaluation of the program.
• Contribute to the development of reports on the impact of educational interventions on the well-being and academic progress of children and young people accommodated in Residential Services short-term crisis accommodation.
• Contribute to project and other activities designed to improve the educational experience of children and young people within the Residential Services setting.
• Meet regularly with the multidisciplinary Residential Team regarding ongoing development and planning of service provision to children accommodated in Residential Services.

Team Support

• Participate in team activities, attend staff meetings when scheduled, and demonstrate a supportive approach to colleagues which contributes to the overall team effectiveness.

Professional Development and Continuous Improvement

• Demonstrate a commitment to reflective practice, professional debriefing, and supervision.

Other

• Complete mandatory and other training as required
• Adhere to all organisational policies and procedures, including all workplace health and safety measures