Abuse of Older People Lead Practitioner

We are looking for passionate Abuse of Older People Lead Practitioner with extensive knowledge and understanding of the aged care system in NSW to join our Sydney team!

• Join a collaborative and fun work culture in a growing organisation
• Great flexibility and access to hybrid work arrangements
• Access to additional leave and NFP Salary Packaging benefits

ABOUT US 

Seniors Rights Service has been assisting older Australians as the leading provider of legal services, aged care advocacy and rights education and information to seniors in NSW since 1986. Seniors Rights Service provides support to older people to know and assert their rights. We have a free legal service as well as aged care advocacy and service system navigator programs. Seniors Rights Service also delivers community education and information of relevance to older people across NSW.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The purpose of the Abuse of Older People Lead Practitioner is to provide expert information, support and training to internal staff and advise Seniors Rights Service aged care advocates and service delivery staff who are working directly with older people experiencing or at risk of experiencing abuse. This role will liaise with external stakeholders about client matters relating to the abuse of older people within the aged care sector.

The Lead Practitioner will contribute to the design and delivery of aged care advocacy services and will take a leading role in ensuring Seniors Rights Service is operating within culturally appropriate, inclusive and best practice frameworks in the provision of advocacy to older people experiencing or at risk of experiencing abuse within the aged care sector.

The Lead Practitioner will also provide expert information, support and training to internal staff and will improve access for vulnerable people by providing information and individual aged care advocacy casework to older people experiencing or at risk of experiencing abuse within the aged care sector.

This role reports to and works closely with the Senior Advocacy Advisor and maintains a supportive, collaborative and productive working relationship with all Seniors Rights Service staff.

The Lead Practitioner is responsible for ensuring that all information and services provided are consistent with the purpose, vision and values of Seniors Rights Service and comply with relevant legislation, quality standards, contemporary research and practice wisdom.

This role has access to hybrid work arrangements which include a blend of community-based, office-based and remote working arrangements. This position is full-time on a max-term contract arrangement to the end of June 2025, aligning with our current funding period.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Maintain the highest level of expertise within the specialist area including maintaining up to date knowledge about practice and policy.
• Maintain a high level of knowledge and understanding of issues impacting the specialist area client group and actively upskill Seniors Rights Service staff.
• Coach, mentor and provide on the job support to Seniors Rights Service staff to build capability in your speciality and promote awareness of issues and policies relating to the specialist area.
• Champion the specialty within Seniors Rights Service including participation or facilitation of appropriate networking groups and internal working groups. Design, develop, lead and implement a Community of Practice for the specialty area across Seniors Rights Service.
• Develop and maintain positive trusting professional relationships with staff and stakeholders. Demonstrate the ability to work positively and communicate effectively within a team environment as well as autonomously to manage workload effectively.
• Monitor and analyse referral patterns in the specialist area.
• Maintain education and other related resources for the specialist area.
• Work closely with the Advocacy Managers to Identify service needs/gaps and escalate issues to the CEO which negatively impact the organisation’s clients.
• Effectively manage a small caseload of clients in line with individual caseload requirements.
• Attend and actively participate in case discussions, team meetings and project work.
• Complete external and internal reporting in a timely manner ensuring the program meets contractual obligations.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of effective policies and procedures
• Participate in Seniors Rights Service’s Performance and Development Review program
• Promote safe work practices that are consistent with Seniors Rights Service’s policies, comply with WHS legislation and ensure strategies are in place to monitor and support individual and team wellbeing
• Promote and actively support a safe and inclusive working environment that celebrates everyone’s uniqueness, including their race, gender identity, age, disability, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation and experiences
• Some intrastate travel is required
• Undertake other tasks as assigned by the manager

WHAT WE OFFER

• A collaborative and fun work culture in a growing organisation
• Great flexibility with access to hybrid work arrangements
• SCHADS award Level 6.1 with NFP Salary Packaging benefits
• 15 days personal/carer’s leave each year
• Gifted leave between Christmas and New Year
• Additional Long Service Leave provisions

At Seniors Rights Service, we seek a workforce that is as diverse as our society - in race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexuality and cultures - and one that reflects the communities we work in. We believe diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our culture and core values and we demonstrate this commitment through all our employment practices. Our inclusive workplace culture contributes to making Seniors Rights Service a great place to work. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People to apply.

Details

Essential Criteria

1. Strong clinical and client centred understanding of the speciality area and willingness to be informed by contemporary research, evidence and policy developments.
2. Knowledge and experience in working with older people experiencing or at risk of experiencing abuse and disadvantaged/vulnerable groups.
3. Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships across the organisation and with external stakeholders
4. Ability to effectively manage a small caseload of clients in line with individual caseload requirements
5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and fluent in the use of technology including Microsoft Office and reporting applications.
6. High level skills in mentoring, training and building the capacity and knowledge of internal staff who work with older people experiencing or at risk of experiencing abuse.
7. Ability to work under pressure, manage complex and often competing tasks and priorities and the ability to prioritise your own work to deliver results.
8. Demonstrated understanding of the rights of older people and the dynamics of ageism.
9. Willingness to obtain an annual flu vaccination and be fully COVID vaccinated. Hold a valid National Criminal History check and driver’s license.

How to Apply

To be considered for this role you will need to address the selection criteria and provide your CV via this link.

Applications close 3 December 2023.

Strong applicants may be interviewed prior to the close date.

Seniors Rights Service