Program Manager - Dundas

Details

Wesley Family Preservation

• full-time permanent position
• based in Dundas
• salary SCHADS Level 7 + Motor vehicle + Super + Salary Packaging

The Family Preservation WSNBM program provides targeted support to vulnerable families to prevent children and young people (0 to 17 years old) from escalating into the child-protection or Out of Home Care system.

We are looking for an outstanding Program Manager who is conscientious, reliable and motivated about making a difference. Staff at Family Preservation apply their skills in the complex child protection area, working within the service provision guidelines and Wesley Family Preservation framework.

What you'll do

• As a Program Manager you will be leading a team of five passionate Team Leaders, responsible for principled case management services. With your team, you will help build strong families where children can live safe from abuse and neglect and have improved wellbeing outcomes.
• You will participate in and contribute to decision making and culture building as part of a Leadership team that supports Family Preservation service delivery in Western Sydney, Nepean Blue Mountains and Lithgow areas. You may be required to travel across this geographical area to be part of various Leadership and program activities.

Your leadership will encompass our Family Preservation Principles:

1. Powerful child participation

• Demonstrated commitment to upholding and promoting child focused practice, that involves the identification and analysis of safety and wellbeing concerns for children.

2. Culture is identity and connection

• Ensure culturally diverse and culturally curious workplace environments.

3. Empowerment, voice and choice

• Support innovative and strength-based casework and committed relationships with families.

4. Responsive and healing

• Safeguard practice to ensure children and adolescence are protected from harm.

5. Strength from families and community

• Promote the family unit, listens to families’ truths and advocate for their needs.

6. Growth through evidence, outcomes and reflection.

• Develop team leaders and practitioners to become autonomous and do all the good they can for children, adolescent and families.

Your team

All staff at Family Preservation WSNBM work hard to develop and maintain harmonious working relationships in an autonomous-supportive work environment where they are all trained to be the best in their field. Wesley Mission provides regular supervision, support and training for all staff.

Essential criteria

• Tertiary qualification(s) in Psychology, Counselling, Social Work, Social Science or related fields,
• At least 5 years’ experience in working with family services, that involves the identification and analysis of safety and wellbeing concerns for children
• Sound understanding of the range of issues faced by vulnerable children and families in child protection and early intervention models of service provision,
• Demonstrated ability to engage families at the point of initial service contact, build relationships of trust and cooperation, problem solve and support planning
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills with a track record in managing staff performance and disciplinary matters professionally and effectively.
• Willingness to contribute to a positive team environment and a genuine interest in upholding the dignity, diversity, and well-being of all clients and stakeholders
• Have a strong commitment to leading practice with Aboriginal families, recognising the importance of culture in each person’s life and their wellbeing
• Working knowledge of and commitment to evidence-based practice, trauma informed, child centred and family focused practice, collaborative and strengths based practice,
• Develop effective strategies and systems to safeguard practices such as group supervision, reporting mechanisms, consultation and supervision methods
• Experience in managing a team with proven organisational skills, team development, meeting deadlines and managing budgets,
• Current NSW or National driver’s licence.

Desirable criteria

• Working knowledge of the local child and family support sector for the area which you are applying
• Experience in SafeCare delivery, or other parenting programs
• Experience in managing electronic files and data bases
• An appreciation of the challenges involved in managing a diverse workforce within a not for profit environment

If you have any queries please contact

Desleigh.Davies@wesleymission.org.au

Closing date: 23 April 2024

Interviews will be held at Dundas: 8 May 2025

Apply now

Please find an Application Pack, including Position Description below.

Only applications which include the following, will be considered:

• Wesley application for employment form
• Current and up to date resume
• Review the six Family Preservation Principles and and share how you have applied two of them, within your previous roles
• Provide a response to the following targeted questions

1. As Program Manager at Family Preservation Dundas, you will be responsible for the positive and inclusive culture of 30 caseworker and 5 team leaders. How would you lead a diverse team of staff members so that they all feel valued and included?

1. In this role, you will lead a team providing services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people and their families. Can you share an example of how you addressed a cultural misunderstanding with your team as a leader?

1. As a Program Manager, you are responsible for leading effective systems that ensure Wesley Mission is successful in meeting our requirements as well as community demands. Describe a current leadership system you have embedded within your team, which has maintained high practice performance during busy periods?

Email your application to: FamilyPresWSNBMRecruitment@wesleymission.org.au

Wesley Mission is a Christian organisation requiring all staff to affirm its values and Worker code of conduct. We are committed to providing an environment in which children can feel safe and valued.

Preferred applicants will be requested to undergo an online psychometric test, prior to interview. The suitable applicant will be subject to the relevant pre-employment checks for appointment to positions within Wesley Mission (including provision of a valid Working with Children Check clearance number). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.