Dawn Colbeck

• Provide forensic and/or clinical/psychosocial assessment of children and their parents where allegations of abuse and neglect have been raised in order to inform investigations of maltreatment, assess risk and protective factors and identify therapeutic needs.
• Construct high quality comprehensive written reports for completed assessments.
• Deliver an urgent crisis response service to inpatients and outpatients referred to Child Protection Services for medical assessments.
• Contribute to comprehensive health and developmental assessments of children and young people in out of home care.
• Provide antenatal assessments of high risk infants and their parents.
• Deliver therapy services using a range of treatment modes, which contribute to the recovery from abuse, improved quality of family relationships and prevention of further abuse.
• Ensure therapeutic services are evidence based, trauma and attachment informed and culturally safe.
• Consult with professionals in order to provide advice and recommendations about child abuse and neglect issues.
• Deliver intake services to referring agents and providing a Child Protection consultation service to the region and the general community.
• Work in accordance with the Interagency Code of Practice (Child Abuse and Neglect).
• Participate in decision making about children’s welfare and protection through attendance at case conferences and through liaison with other appropriate professionals.
• Contribute to the development of an effective child protection system by promoting interagency cooperation, identifying gaps and problems in service delivery and contributing to their resolution.
• Formulate and accurately communicate objective clinical opinion and recommendations to referring agents, statutory bodies (DCP and SAPOL), and Courts.
• Provide children and their family/carer/s with objective, accurate information.
• Advocate for individual clients and their family, as appropriate.
• Refer to other services and agencies, as appropriate.
• Participate in approved professional development activities including clinical supervision.
• Undertake professional training, and where relevant and in conjunction with clinical supervision, integrate current approaches into clinical practice.
• Continuously review existing practices and promote change where required.
• Attend relevant meetings and contribute to the development of practice guidelines and integrate outcomes, where relevant, into clinical practice.
• Contribute, as a member of a multidisciplinary team, to the development of policy and procedures.
• Actively participate in service development and planning processes.
• Develop health promotion strategies in relation to child protection.
• Contribute to the Child Protection Service’s research and evaluation programme by participating as a team member in evaluating the service and conducting research on child abuse issues by collating and analysing data recorded about the consumers of the service.
• Offer training to students, professionals and others who work with abused and neglected children and their families by preparing and presenting lectures, seminars and workshops in order to share knowledge and skills.
• Increase awareness of the issues associated with child abuse by developing, implementing and recommending strategies that will assist in the protection of children and their recovery after abuse.
• Supervise tertiary students on placement at the Child Protection Service and provide training to enhance their practice, performance and professional development and the university requirements of their placement.
• Contribute to a safe and healthy work environment, free from discrimination and harassment by working in accordance with legislative requirements, the Code of Ethics for the South Australian Public Sector and departmental human resource policies, including WHS requirements.
• Comply with National Safety & Quality Health Service Standards.
• Contribute to a team environment, which promotes positivity, learning and development, safety and welfare of employees, acknowledges cultural and personal differences, and encourages creativity and innovation.
• Demonstrate a positive approach and commitment to client service.
• Maintain a positive team culture by actively dealing with conflict and inappropriate behaviours expediently and effectively.

• Undertake carer assessments in order to determine the suitability of applicants. Identify potential risk factors in the care placement including training and support requirements in order to reduce the potential for care concerns.
• Identify the potential for placement breakdown and work collaboratively with carers and Offices across the Region.
• Operate within and across relevant professional networks to enable all perspectives to be considered when assessing the capacity and motivation of carers.
• Identify risks to safety, well-being and developmental needs of children and young people to enable care teams to provide relevant and targeted support to carers.
• Assist in the direct delivery of assessment services to Aboriginal people that contribute to a life of well-being, caring and healing to strengthen and preserve families.
• Identify, collect and share information about potential carers and their situations, in a manner which promotes dignity and allows carers to develop strategies that contribute to their and their children’s well-being and to ensure active participation of carers in the assessment process.
• Act as a witness in Court processes where required.
• Provide direct social work support to carers through the assessment process and liaise closely with DCP Office social work staff.
• Identify, collect and share information about potential carers and their situations, in a manner which promotes dignity and allows carers to develop strategies that contribute to their and their children’s well-being and to ensure active participation of carers in the assessment process.
• Develop effective and positive working relationship with carers, children and young people and their birth families.
• Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers to ensure that assessment recommendations fit with family culture.
• Compile professional reports as required for a range of audiences ensuring that high quality information is gained from all relevant sources and sound social work analysis is utilised to ensure recommendations and assessment outcomes that support children and young people and their placement.
• Provide advice and professional/clinical leadership in case consultation to less experienced staff and social work students on practical issues regarding casework and case management.
• Contribute to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment by taking personal accountability by identifying and reporting incidents, hazards and injuries in accordance with DCP policy & procedure, and cooperating and complying with reasonable instructions of DCP line management and WHS Officers.

• Establish rapport, build and interact effectively with children, young people and their families and carers.
• Contribute to the assessment of the individual needs and circumstances and where required, in the development, provision and review of care programmes which meets children and family’s needs.
• Enable and support children to participate in various programmes and activities which encourage growth and development.
• Ensure all children have access to Medical Assessment when entering care.
• Support the interests, rights and needs of clients within the legislative framework and duty of care requirements.
• Communicate across government and non-government organisations, families, community and with individual clients to strengthen the supports to individuals and families in managing the key issues that face them.
• Complete enrolment forms for all eligible children to enter school or childcare.
• Identify and respond to needs and risks to safety, wellbeing and development of children and young people
• Assist children in out of home care to reconnect with their birth families, strengthen relationships.
• Work in a culturally appropriate manner with community, kin and family for the safety of children.
• Complete and submit all relevant forms for Early Childhood Early Intervention / NDIS funding as required by young person.
• Undertake regular visits and support career.
• Understand the context of child development, parenting capacity and family and environmental factors in which to establish the need of an individual child.
• Investigate and assessments in a child-centred manner, care concerns filed against carers.
• Operate within and across relevant professional networks.
• Work closely with various specialists and take advice in devising and implementing clinical intervention with children and their families, in various settings including family homes.
• Work cohesively with other government/non-government agencies and community to promote positive outcomes for children and families.
• Utilise Solutions Base Casework approach and evidence-based research to inform sound case management and culturally inclusive practice.
• Work effectively within a multidisciplinary team towards achieving the identified outcomes of the team and/or program.
• Manage the workload and organise and plan work activities taking in to account the need to prioritise tasks and responsibilities.
• Take responsibility for own professional development by attending supervision and learning and development opportunities.
• Maintain/manage information about children and their families by inputting information/data in to the C3MS system, keeping case files well organised, up to date and able be able to provide concise and accurate information about a child’s circumstances.

• Undertake carer assessments in order to determine the suitability of applicants
• Identify potential risk factors in the care placement including training and support requirements in order to reduce the potential for care concerns
• Identify the potential for placement breakdown and work collaboratively with carers and Offices across the Region
• Operate within and across relevant professional networks to enable all perspectives to be considered when assessing the capacity and motivation of carers
• Identify risks to safety, well-being and developmental needs of children and young people to enable care teams to provide relevant and targeted support to carers
• Assist in the direct delivery of assessment services to Aboriginal people that contribute to a life of well-being, caring and healing to strengthen and preserve families
• Identify, collect and share information about potential carers and their situations, in a manner which promotes dignity and allows carers to develop strategies that contribute to their and their children’s well-being and to ensure active participation of carers in the assessment process
• Act as a witness in Court processes where required
• Provide direct social work support to carers through the assessment process and liaise closely with DCP Office social work staff
• Identify, collect and share information about potential carers and their situations, in a manner which promotes dignity and allows carers to develop strategies that contribute to their and their children’s well-being and to ensure active participation of carers in the assessment process
• Develop effective and positive working relationship with carers, children and young people and their birth families
• Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers to ensure that assessment recommendations fit with family culture
• Compile professional reports as required for a range of audiences ensuring that high quality information is gained from all relevant sources and sound social work analysis is utilised to ensure recommendations and assessment outcomes that support children and young people and their placement
• Provide advice and professional/clinical leadership in case consultation to less experienced staff and social work students on practical issues regarding casework and case management
• Contribute to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment by taking personal accountability by identifying and reporting incidents, hazards and injuries in accordance with DCP policy & procedure, and cooperating and complying with reasonable instructions of DCP line management and WHS Officers.

• Establish rapport, build and interact effectively with children, young people and their families and carers
• Contribute to the assessment of the individual needs and circumstances and where required, in the development, provision and review of care programmes which meets children and family’s needs
• Enable and support children to participate in various programmes and activities which encourage growth and development
• Ensure all children have access to Medical Assessment when entering care
• Support the interests, rights and needs of clients within the legislative framework and duty of care requirements
• Communicate across government and non-government organisations, families, community and with individual clients to strengthen the supports to individuals and families in managing the key issues that face them
• Complete enrolment forms for all eligible children to enter school or childcare
• Identify and respond to needs and risks to safety, wellbeing and development of children and young people
• Assist children in out of home care to reconnect with their birth families, strengthen relationships
• Work in a culturally appropriate manner with community, kin and family for the safety of children
• Complete and submit all relevant forms for Early Childhood Early Intervention / NDIS funding as required by young person
• Undertake regular visits and support career
• Understand the context of child development, parenting capacity and family and environmental factors in which to establish the need of an individual child
• Investigate and assessments in a child-centred manner, care concerns filed against carers
• Operate within and across relevant professional networks
• Work closely with various specialists and take advice in devising and implementing clinical intervention with children and their families, in various settings including family homes
• Work cohesively with other government/non-government agencies and community to promote positive outcomes for children and families
• Utilise Solutions Base Casework approach and evidence-based research to inform sound case management and culturally inclusive practice
• Work effectively within a multidisciplinary team towards achieving the identified outcomes of the team and/or program
• Manage the workload and organise and plan work activities taking in to account the need to prioritise tasks and responsibilities
• Take responsibility for own professional development by attending supervision and learning and development opportunities
• Maintain/manage information about children and their families by inputting information/data in to the C3MS system, keeping case files well organised, up to date and able be able to provide concise and accurate information about a child’s circumstances.

WHITE RIBBON PROJECT:

• Work with WRA to conduct research and coordinate events and activities to achieve accreditation of the program.
• Provide administrative and project support to the White Ribbon Program.
• Provide operational and administrative support to the White Ribbon program and assist in the development of education, awareness-raising, campaigns and prevention programs and partnerships in collaboration with other council departments.

HUMAN RESOURCE ADMINISTRATION:

• Contribute to the maintenance of appropriate human resources systems, both electronic and hard copy, concerning all employee records, data, and documentation.
• Assist in the maintenance of systems so that all appropriate copies and records of employee correspondence, employment agreements, performance management, training and development and all other appropriate employee records are appropriately and confidentially retained and stored.
• Oversee the management and administration of conditions changes and contractual arrangements, including contract development.

Advisory Services – Human Resources:

• Assist in the provision of quality information across the organisation concerning human resources management issues including to the executive management team, departmental managers, team leaders and general employees.
• Undertake liaison on human resources management issues with Information Management, Finance and all other relevant departments.
• Act as a positive team player in interactions within the People and Culture Division and enhance the reputation of the Division through a customer driven approach.

Recruitment Administration:

• Provide timely and accurate services in the recruitment process, including the lodgement of advertisements and positions online.
• Produce accurate and timely contracts of employment, welcome packs and other employment change documentation.

Continuous Improvement:

• Contribute to updating the HR systems and processes for legislative and enterprise bargaining changes.
• Identify and create improvements in day-to-day processing and administration systems that the position is responsible for.

General Administration Duties:

• Assist in the production and coordination of induction and employee exit activities for the organisation.
• Any other appropriate matters as directed.

See below for duties performed in this role, but not limited to.

• Liaison with other Departments in relation to Strategic Property Projects.
• Ability to find appropriate information sources for the purposes of undertaking research.
• The updating and maintaining of databases relevant to projects including all documentation in relation to the Strategic Property Projects being saved into DataWorks.
• Observe and comply with all health and safety policies and procedures within the City of Salisbury including all safe operating procedures or instructions.

• Maintaining collaborative relationships within the multidisciplinary team to ensure effective outcomes for children and families.
• Leadership and mentoring in social work practices and standards to other professionals within the unit.
• Assessment, counselling, and treatment using a variety of treatment modalities directed to the reduction and/or cessation of tobacco, alcohol and/or other drug consumption.
• Participation in review of team aims, objectives and policies and contribute towards their achievement.
• Promotion of service integration through the development of active collaborative partnerships with relevant agencies and individuals.
• Working with families to support the safe care of their children.
• Working in a culturally appropriate manner with community, kin and family for the safety of children.
• Developing relapse prevention plans including coaching parents to identify warning signs of relapse, enhancing their problem-solving and coping capacities and engaging them to take personal ownership of their care and recovery journey.
• Writing of case plans and maintaining client files.
• Connecting clients to appropriate services including formal and informal community networks.
• Organising, conducting and reviewing all aspects of case work identified in case planning ia the responsibility of the Drug and Alcohol Clinician.
• Utilising a range of professional interventions, case work methods and techniques, in conjunction with a relevant professional member of the team.
• Initiating regular case discussions with appropriate professional and non-professional team members and other parties.
• Consulting with workers undertaking investigations and assessments in a child-centred environment, focused on the safety of the child and on the support of the parent/family to effectively and safely care for their child.
• Engaging family and community to deliver the best possible outcome for children.
• Acting as a witness in court proceedings for child protection matters.
• Contributes to the human resource management of the unit/service by supporting change management processes
• Contributing to communication processes that effectively deal with challenging behaviours and the resolution of conflicts.

• Demonstrated flexibility and sound ability to adapt to changing environments within service provision.
• Demonstrated commitment to improving personal and professional skills through self-directed learning and evaluation.
• Sound contribution to data collection and analysis through development of new evaluation tools for children.
• Sound ability to work professionally at all times in any environment.
• Proven ability to apply various Social Work theories including strengths, systems, crisis intervention, brief intervention and group work.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake physical demands of the job.
• Sound understanding of relevant policies and application to practice, along with a sound understanding of current relevant government policies and the impacts of these on individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty and social inequality.
• Actively participate in team meetings, debriefing and practice reflection.
• Participate in fortnightly supervision and be willing to seek feedback and guidance when required.
• Actively participate in reflective practice both through debriefing with colleagues and in supervision sessions.
• Demonstrated ability and commitment to work effectively in own team and other teams.
• Demonstrated ability to build rapport and effectively communicate with a variety of clients.

• Experience in planning and preparing client sessions
• Experience in relief work with clients
• Experience in the role of lead worker in counselling sessions with clients
• Effective communicator with team members and in team discussion
• Experience in case note reporting and data base entries
• Experience in informing clients of their rights and responsibilities prior to disclosing and sharing information
• Responding to reports of abuse.