TraCS (Trauma Consultancy Service) Practitioner

Position title: TraCS (Trauma Consultancy Service) Practitioner

Team: Trauma Informed Programs, TraCS

Reports to: Program Manager, TraCS

Job type: 2 year contract, Part Time – 0.7fte (will consider hours up to and including, full time)

About the Alannah & Madeline Foundation

The Alannah & Madeline Foundation was set up in memory of Alannah and Madeline Mikac, aged six and three, who were tragically killed with their mother and 32 others at Port Arthur, Tasmania, on 28 April 1996. In memory of his daughters, Walter Mikac AM and a small group of volunteers set up the Foundation with the belief that all children should have a safe and happy childhood without being subjected to violence. The then Prime Minister launched the Foundation on 30 April 1997.

The Foundation:

• identifies issues that adversely affect the wellbeing of children; we work to help them recover and protect them from bullying and violence
• works across the spectrum of prevention and care to deliver state-of-the-art, evidence-based programs and products
• works with the best minds to identify and reduce significant threats to children’s safety through innovation and partnerships
• speaks out on the need for systemic change to build a supportive and safe society.

The Foundation also supports Dolly’s Dream, educating and empowering families and communities to prevent the devastating effects of bullying.

Our organisation has the highest commitment to child safety, and our Child Safe – Policy outlines our safe practices for children.

Our organisation values are embedded into every way in which we operate at the Foundation. Everyone has a responsibility to promote and demonstrate our values: We are curious, We are kind, always, We lead with authenticity, We believe in the power of play, We take action.

Position in context:

The TraCS (Trauma Consultancy Service) program is primarily funded through School Readiness Funding, which is funding to help children to start developmentally on track by enhancing supports for kindergarten services and educators. The TraCS Practitioner will work closely with educators and other early childhood staff working with children aged 3-5 years in kindergartens and early childhood services to build their capability to work with traumatised and vulnerable children, strengthening the impact of their existing programs.

Our Practitioners are hands on and required to work in services when children are present to provide in-the-moment coaching and support to build the capacity of educators to provide trauma sensitive and attuned environments and relationships with their children and families. The Practitioners also work with educators during out-of-session time (and occasional planned after hours work as required) to provide reflective support, training and guidance to further promote the educator and service capacity and to provide safe and confidential spaces for educators to discuss their work with children and families experiencing vulnerability.

Reporting to a TraCS Program Manager, the TraCS Practitioner is a member of the TraCS Team.

This role is based at the Foundation’s head office in South Melbourne, but will require travel to deliver support onsite at kindergartens and early childhood services. At times, and depending on demand, travel to regional areas may be negotiated with the team member to support the delivery of service to communities outside the metro area.

We support our staff to work flexibly, both in location and hours, based on the premise that work will remain the focus of any arrangement. How and where you work is discussed with each staff member based on individual circumstances, role requirements and accountability for delivery of high-quality work.

Major job responsibilities

• Using specialist knowledge, skills and experience the Practitioner will provide a mix of onsite and virtual guidance and support to teachers and early childhood educators to strengthen their skills and capacity in working with children whose lives have been affected by trauma.
• Undertake trauma informed assessments within kindergartens and early childhood education and care services (ECEC’s) to build, deliver and regularly review service plans with stakeholders to address the needs of staff and children.
• Working independently, manage key stakeholder relationships to ensure the program delivers service in line with agreements and plans and within budget parameters.
• Build stakeholder relationships in order to engage and deliver clinical reflective practice and coaching for early childhood staff and line managers within early years services to enable them to embed trauma knowledge and theory and to reflect on their interactions with children and families.
• Using expert knowledge, skills and experience to support teachers and early childhood educators to provide safe and supportive learning environments for children who have experienced trauma, enhancing their social and emotional readiness for school.
• Provide guidance and support to educators regarding the implementation of trauma informed approaches which create connection and defuse conflict.
• Develop plans and provide expert advice to strengthen educators work in supporting children with the development of pro-social skills including emotional and social regulation.
• Provide expert advice to enable teachers and early childhood educators to understand the impact of their own emotional regulation as vital to providing a safe and supportive learning environment
• Foster collaborative relationships with key stakeholders, including kindergartens, schools, family services, allied health professionals, local government, the Department of Education, & Department of Health & Human Services.
• Provide expert advice to support referrals and links to relevant services to support children and families experiencing vulnerability
• Support kindergartens to work through non-attendance barriers of enrolled children and support transition to school where required
• Ensure skills and knowledge of research and practice relating to children and violence, resilience and recovery are cutting edge.
• Maintain accurate and up to date client management and statistical records.
• Contribute positively to the Foundation’s culture through developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with colleagues and supporting program developments and improvements.
• Adherence to relevant Program and Foundational Policies and Procedures, as well as with legislation relevant to working with children and families.
• Contribute to the development, implementation and review of policies and procedures within the TraCS program as well as relevant foundation policies responsible for the safe guarding of children
• Other tasks as directed by the Program Manager, TraCS, Director, Trauma Informed Programs, CEO and Executive Team.

Knowledge, experience & requirements

• A minimum of five years’ experience in providing high quality, complex case management to children, youth and families in the context of violence or abuse and trauma (essential)
• An appropriate tertiary qualification in social welfare such as Social Work or Psychology, with eligibility for membership of professional organisation (i.e. AASW or APS) or other qualifications suitable for practice in the child and family welfare field (essential)
• Demonstrated, expert knowledge of the best practice models and theories relating to children, families, trauma and violence or abuse.
• High level professional understanding of trauma informed practice principals and frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience in translating trauma informed practice, relevant and emerging knowledge and theory into practice with key stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work autonomously, use initiative and take responsibility appropriately.
• Demonstrated ability to work in collaboration with other disciplines to support positive client outcomes.
• Preparedness to provide in person outreach service and travel to early childhood services.
• Capacity to work independently at an offsite location and still maintain important Foundation relationships.
• Excellent organisational skills (time management, thoroughness, efficiency) and verbal/written communication skills.
• Proven ability in networking, service promotion and fostering collaborative relationships with relevant agencies.
• Hold a current drivers’ license and willingness and ability to use own vehicle (appropriate reimbursement of expenses provided).
• Valid Working With Children Check and Police Check.