Working at Melba Support Services (Melba)

• We support people with disability to live the life they want.
• We have a Zero Tolerance approach to violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
• Every member of the Melba community is committed to The Melba Way Charter, our vision, purpose and values.
• Melba aims to create welcoming and respectful workplaces that promote inclusive and collaborative working relationships.

For over 50 years Melba Support Services has been providing services to people with disability that focus on supporting people to dream big, embrace life and do what they choose and value. Melba is firmly grounded in upholding human rights and recognises that part of living a happy, healthy life is being independent and being able to do the things that bring us joy. Melba won the 2023 National Disability Award for Excellence in Service Quality. 

Why Join Us? 

We are a human-rights, values-based, not-for-profit community organisation committed to providing services that support individuals with disability to lead everyday lives of their choice, if this resonates with you, come join us!

What you?ll be doing (Key accountabilities) 

•  Work in accordance with Melbas Vision, Mission, Values, Human Rights, and Zero Tolerance. 
• Work in accordance with Melbas Policies & Procedures and Quality Framework, including reporting requirements.  
• Establish and manage the delivery of high-quality services to people with a disability in line with Melba?s Vision, Mission & Values.  
• Prepare required plans, reports, business cases and evaluations as required. 
• Manage risk in a manner that accords individuals dignity, choice and control.  
• Provide ongoing support and management to direct support staff and foster a workplace free from bullying and harassment. 
• Through role modelling and positive work practices, lead a team of staff in providing a high quality and person-centred services to the people we support to ensure that individuals? physical, spiritual and emotional health is at optimal level. 
• To actively participate in the recruitment, induction, orientation and training of staff. 
• To develop, complete and update SIL quotes as required. 
• To attend NDIS review meetings if/when required. 
• To develop house rosters based on approved SIL quotes (with Outcome Manager approval prior to implementation). 
• To oversee and manage day to day property issues and maintenance requests. 
• To ensure all required documentation is current, accurate and up to date. 
• To develop agenda items for, and to lead regular staff meetings. 
• To seek and receive ongoing feedback from individuals and staff to ensure the continual satisfaction and improvement of service delivery. 
• To promote and adopt a PCAS (person centred active support) approach to assist individuals to be actively engaged in all areas of their daily lives. 
• To deliver supports and services in line with the principles of PBS (positive behaviour support). 
• Develop and maintain effective and strategic working relationships and networks with: funding bodies which includes the NDIS, regulatory agencies, partners and other service providers.  
• Respect and safeguard the Human Rights of people supported ensuring they feel safe, well and are free from abuse and neglect.  
• Build relationships and partnerships with other service providers that assist in creating opportunities for individuals accessing the service. This can include Clinicians, Consultants, Specialists, community-based organisations, funding bodies, regulatory agencies, and relevant business partners.   
• Maintain personal knowledge of relevant legislation, NDIS Service Standards and contemporary practices to support the role. One avenue is through professional development activities.  
• Role model high quality person centred practices to staff that demonstrates support appropriate to assist an individual to participate in their daily routines and achieve their chosen outcomes.  
• Organisation and supervision of staff around supported persons plans, programs and key outcomes, including day to day supervision, performance management and skill development. 
• Effectively manage, coordinate and support the development of skills within the staff team to ensure staff meet the individualised requirements of the individuals supported.  
• To effectively lead a team of staff to:  Support individuals to develop and maintain family relationships, friendships and intimate relationships; assist individuals to identify and pursue a broad range of social, educational, vocational and recreational opportunities that bring meaning and value to their lives; support individuals to become recognised and accepted as valued and contributing members of their community and support individuals to use their preferred communication method and/or receive support that encompasses their preferred communication method. 
• Provide supports that ensure an individual?s health is maintained at an optimal level for that person.  
• Understand and monitor NDIS budgets for each person supported. 
• Ensure that the rostering of direct support staff is in line with each person?s agreed supports as set out in their Service Agreement and compliant with the Melba Enterprise Agreement. 
• Document and maintain relevant information in relation to a person?s supports and outcomes, including supporting the implementation of Personal Outcomes Measures (POMs) provided by Melba.  
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with individuals who purchase services and their families, carers or advocates. Respond to enquiries from people with a disability and their families about appropriate support options to meet their needs and desires which includes making appropriate referrals as necessary. 
• Other duties as directed by the Outcomes Manager. 

Your Background (Skills and attributes)  

•  A track record of effectively leading teams of staff to perform their roles to a high standard and to provide innovative and progressive service delivery models.  
• An understanding of both physical and intellectual disabilities and other complex presentations (including mental health support).  
• A good understanding of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and person-centred practice. 
• Experience in supporting people with a disability and their families. 
• Ability to advocate on behalf of people with intellectual disabilities. 
• Experience in working effectively with people who have complex communication needs.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to form effective working relationships with colleagues, management, families and external bodies. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to form effective working relationships with colleagues, management and external bodies.  
• Capacity to follow instructions, policies and procedures.

Requirements  

• Certificate IV in Disability or equivalent (desirable, not mandatory). 
• A current First Aid and CPR Certificate. 
• A current NDIS Worker Screening and Working with Children Check. 
• The ability and relevant driver?s license to perform travel and work a variety of shifts, including weekends. Position may also require working active nights. 
• Compliance with OHS&W regulations, legislation, and Policies and Procedures is required. 
• Successful completion of pre-employment safety screening checks, mandatory training, and their subsequent renewals is necessary. 

Occupation Health Safety and Wellbeing (OHS&W) 

• Take reasonable care for their health, safety and wellbeing and that of others 
• Observe safe systems of work 
• Follow OHS&W policies and procedures 
• Report hazards, near misses and incidents in accordance with the agreed incident reporting system 
• Compliance with OHS regulations, legislation and Policies and Procedures 
• Successful completion of Pre?Employment Safety Screening checks and mandatory training and their subsequent renewals  
• Contribute to a positive culture in relation to OHS&W and participate in consultative structures 

Inclusion at Melba

Melba Support Services recognises the contribution that a diverse workforce makes to continuous improvement and service delivery and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Melba Support Services values diversity and encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders. People with disabilities and from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are also encouraged to apply. Melba Support Services is committed to making reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process and day-to-day work. As a provider of supports and services to children, Melba is committed to ensuring that every child feels safe and respected. All Melba staff and volunteers have a responsibility to make sure that children?s wellbeing and safety comes first, that they are supported to achieve their potential, respected, and protected from abuse and neglect.