Location: South Eastern Melbourne
Program: Disability Services
Position type: Carer

Disability carers provide care and accommodation, in their own homes, to children and young people, who for a variety of reasons cannot live with their birth families. The disability carers help to support the natural family and, where appropriate, the reunification of the birth family.

Carers come from all types of backgrounds and families. They can be individuals, couples or part of a family. Carers can work part time or full time or be at home full time. Our carers are culturally, religiously and ethnically diverse, male or female, and vary in age.

What is most important is that carers can provide a safe and nurturing environment.

Objectives

Children and young people with disabilities from birth to 18 years of age may need home based care.

The decision to place a child (or young person) in home based care can be made by either the Child Protection Service, which is part of the Department of Human Services, or the family.

Home based care may be required for children or young people who have had a number of difficult experiences, including death or illness of family members. They may come from a family that requires extra support. The may have been abused or neglected and display at risk behaviour. Their parents may not be unable to protect them or they may be homeless.

Children (or young people) may enter home based care individually or as a sibling group.

They may display emotional or behavioural difficulties.

Key responsibilities

In relation to each child (or young person) in home based care, the disability carer must ensure

• health, welfare and progress are promoted
• participation is encouraged - as far as is reasonable and practicable - in the ordinary life of the community
• observance of his or her religion (if any) and the preservation of cultural identity
• a consistant standard of care and discipline in the home
• they will participate in the care planning processes
• they complete a written and pictorial record of their time with the child. It is required that this documentation be provided to the child when they leave the carer's care
• they will securely store all personal information (including family information) and provide access only to appropriately approved persons.

Qualities required

• must enjoy developing relationships with children and young people
• provide practical and physical support as needed
• ability to engage with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• ability to work as part of a team
• be flexible and patient
• abiliy to take initiative

Requirements

OzChild carers will be required to complete Police and Working with Children Checks before beginning their caring role.

Enquiries and applications

Contact OzChild Disability Services through the online volunteer and carer enquiry form, or phone (03) 5975 7644.