Job description
About ReachOut
ReachOut is the leading online mental health service supporting young people during tough times.
We help young people feel better about today and the future, no matter what challenge they’re facing. ReachOut provides a safe online place where young people can openly express themselves, explore what’s happening in their lives, connect with people who understand their situation, and find the resources to help them manage their challenges now and in the future. Anonymous, free and 100% online, ReachOut has been designed specifically for – and with – young people.
From one-to-one support from experienced peer workers, to online forums, as well as tips, stories and resources, ReachOut offers a wide range of support options that allow young people to engage in the ways they want to, when they want to.
About the role
ReachOut’s Parents and Carers Coaching Service is a national service funded by the Department of Social Services to improve mental health outcomes for teenagers. Recognising the critical role of parents and carers in supporting their teens, this online service provides free, strengths-based, solutions-focused coaching to parents and carers of teens aged 12-18.
We recognise parents and carers as the experts in their families, and support them to identify their goals and strategies to achieve them. The service is delivered virtually via telephone and an online platform that both coaches and parents/carers access.
The service has been operating since 2016. Previously it was run in partnership between ReachOut and The Benevolent Society. This is an exciting opportunity for a Coach to join the Parents and Carers team of coaches at ReachOut, with service delivery starting from July 2024.
You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver educational and support services that promote strengths and evidence-based approaches to parenting and child and family wellbeing via a virtual service delivery model. You will work in partnership with parents/carers to coach them to be the parent/carer they want to be and achieve effective and positive relationships with their teen.
Your mental health and risk management experience enables you to effectively manage high-risk situations following the ReachOut Duty of Care Framework, with support from the Team Leader and Senior Manager Clinical Governance.
You will also have the opportunity to contribute as a subject matter expert to innovation projects in the organisation.
We value professional development and you will engage in ReachOut-run learning and development programs, with opportunities for mental health support skill enhancement through YMHFA and ASIST; external supervision and My Impact, RO’s performance and personal development program.
Key tasks
Service Delivery
- Empower parents/carers to understand their needs/goals and to make decisions independently using a proven Coaching framework and phone/virtual dashboard service model to increase parenting capacity
- Demonstrate and promote person-centred, strengths-based, trauma-informed and recovery-oriented approaches
- Attend and engage in external supervision
Duty of Care and risk management
- Ensure the organisation’s duty of care framework and supporting risk systems are well-implemented in the Coaching service and remain fit for purpose.
- Ensure client case notes and risk assessments are documented appropriately and in a timely manner, and managing risk relating to child protection and mandatory reporting across all states and territories.
Service Operations
- Monitor user feedback and escalate platform bugs/issues
- Support internal testing of the online platform and features
Service development
- Contribute as a mental health subject matter expert to innovation and development projects
About You
- Degree or equivalent in a health-related field (coaching, psychology, counselling, public health, community development, social work or related).
- 5 years’ experience working in a mental health or family support setting.
- Demonstrated experience in counselling, family support and/or coaching and mentoring with parents
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience of mental health and family functioning and the range of risk and protective factors which impact on adolescent development
- Demonstrated understanding and experience in a Coaching framework e.g. the GROW model, brief intervention models, solution-focused and strength-based approaches to working with families
- Demonstrated understanding of effective parenting techniques and strategies, and exceptional knowledge of child/adolescent development
- High-level computer literacy and aptitude to provide services online and over the phone. Direct experience working in a virtual service will be highly regarded.
- The ability to work autonomously, set boundaries and to seek support when needed.
- Competent knowledge and experience in Duty of Care and child protection, including risk management, safety planning and reporting to statutory child protection agencies.
- A Working with Children’s Check for your home state.
- A commitment to ReachOut’s values and behaviours.
HOW TO APPLY:
To find out more about ReachOut and read the full position description, please go to https://about.au.reachout.com/join-the-team.
Note: We will be shortlisting for this role immediately. Applications will close once a suitable applicant has been identified so please get your application in ASAP.
Candidates must have the right to live and work in Australia permanently. You will also be required to obtain a current employment Working with Children Check.
As we are a mental health organisation it is important to let you know that you may hear stories of distress, hardship or trauma when working at ReachOut. We really encourage you to reflect on how this may impact you when considering applying for this role. An EAP is available to support employees.
