Family Support Worker

Wesley Mission Queensland (WMQ) is a large and dynamic organisation with more than 65 locations throughout South East Queensland supporting 100,000 Queenslanders every year. As a not-for-profit organisation with over 100 years' experience in delivering aged care, Wesley Mission Queensland has a history steeped in hope, respect, compassion, empowerment, innovation, justice and integrity. To learn more about our organisation, please see www.wmq.org.au & https://www.youtube.com/user/wmbmedia.

Hummingbird House is Queensland's only children's hospice and provides short break stays, family support services, creative therapies, and care at the end of life for children with life limiting conditions and their families. To learn more about Hummingbird House, please ​visit hummingbirdhouse.org.au. Hummingbird House is seeking to recruit a Community Development Worker. 

Working closely with the FSM and senior management team of Hummingbird House, this position acts to provide support and coordination for all families who will access services provided by Hummingbird House.

The Family Support Worker will build family capacity by providing professional support to families using culturally appropriate and family-centred approaches in both group settings and on an individual basis. The Family Support Worker will provide holistic support and skills development targeted specifically to families who are living with a child with a life limiting condition and receiving care through Hummingbird House. 

The Family Support Worker is responsible for decisions in prioritising their workload; and identifying appropriate psychosocial interventions for children, young people and families associated with Hummingbird House in line with best practice guidelines and in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team.  This role liaises with the Family Support Manager, Clinical Services Manager and General Manager regarding decisions related to service delivery, budget, sponsorship, resources and complaints as well as high risk decisions or conflicts.

The successful applicant will be someone who can show considerable initiative and responsibility working with various stakeholders, across varying operational matters, whilst being accountable for outcomes. 

Key Responsibilities Include:

1. Act as Family Support Team representation and liaison contact for Hummingbird House under the direction of the Family Support Manager. This includes being a primary contact for families who contact Hummingbird House seeking advice and support in relation to their family's psychosocial needs.
2. Collaborate with the Family Support Manger in the development of the Family Support strategic plan.
3. Contribute to the development of essential Hummingbird House documentation.
4. Contribute to the development, coordination and delivery of the Hummingbird House Family Support Program – especially with regard to the development and implementation of support programs required for grant acquittal purposes.
5. Representation of the Hummingbird House Family Support Team to families and community stakeholders.
6. Provide information and education to families and community stakeholders regarding the Family Support services available through Hummingbird House via the provision of information sessions, assessments, consultations and presentations.
7. Develop information pathways resulting in families' awareness of available resources and arrange appropriate referrals to community services which will enhance psychosocial support in the community.
8. Provide memory making opportunities for children, young people and families as well as bereavement support to families around and following the death of a child. This includes assistance with funeral arrangements as appropriate and when required in collaboration with PPCS Grief Bereavement Service.
9. Provide psychosocial support to the children, young people and families in which ever context best supports the individual at any given time including but not limited to in the House, in the community or in hospital.
10. Provide information, referrals and education about community resources that may support children, young people and their families associated with Hummingbird House.
11. Participate as a member of the multidisciplinary intake and referral and Family Support team, and act as a resource in the area of psychosocial expertise.
12. Provide timely and effective services within an evidence-based framework and facilitate quality improvement in the area of psychosocial expertise for children and young people associated with Hummingbird House.
    

Applications must address the 'Qualifications, Knowledge and Requirement' for this role (contained within the attached position description) and are to be submitted online at www.wmq.org.au by 4pm of the closing date. 

For more information, please contact Elham Day via Elham.Day@hummingbirdhouse.wmq.org.au

Wesley Mission Queensland's Vision is a compassionate, just and inclusive society for all.  We are committed to EEO, OH&S, Ethical Practices and the principles of Cultural Diversity.  We are a preferred employer for older workers.  Successful applicants are expected to abide by the WMQ Code of Conduct.  Relevant criminal record checks will be undertaken on recommended applicant.  To view our Privacy Policy, please click here.  Salary Packaging is available to permanent Staff to enhance remuneration.