Guidance Associate / Guidance Officer / Senior Guidance Officer

Job Summary

Assist Unit Leader, Residential Care (RC) in the operations of the Home to ensure that all the residents are provided with quality care and protection.

Provide proper supervision, guidance and quality care are delivered to the children or youths in an identified unit (approx. 10 to 15 residents) in Melrose Home.

Duties and Responsibilities

Home Management

• Programme Development:

To support and support the Unit Leaders and Senior Guidance Officers’ efforts in developing and implementing biopsychosocial or educational programmes in the unit.

Resident Management:

• Supervision of Residents’ Physical Needs - To ensure residents received adequate food nourishment and support them in doing their laundry.

Supervision of Residents’ Psychosocial Needs

• To provide supervision and care to the residents. The GO is to actively promote the involvement of all residents in the Home’s social group, counter the isolation of individuals by others, nurture friendships between residents, and support those residents who for any reason do not readily “fit in” to the social group.
• To guide and develop socially acceptable behaviour in residents, in a manner that does not infringe on their rights or the rights of others, and which is consistent with sound behaviour management principles.
• To support the residents’ adherence to the Unit’s behaviour management system. This system gives clarity to the rules and requirements of the Home and sets clear expectations on how residents should relate to one another.
• To manage residents’ behavioural issues using a trauma-informed approach.
• To provide guidance for residents in supporting their growth and development and motivate/mentor the residents.
• To provide support for the positive social and emotional development of the residents.

Health and Hygiene

• To ensure the proper maintenance and cleanliness of the Home’s premises and the unit’s dormitory.
• To educate and reinforce acceptable personal hygiene standards to youth and children.
• To oversee the medical and health needs of the residents in the unit.

Academic and Cognitive Needs

• To oversee the academic needs of the residents in the unit.

Crisis Management

• To provide on-site incident or crisis management when necessary

Supervision Outside of Melrose Home

• To escort and supervise youths and children to and from the clinic, the hospital, the school or to attend programmes and activities outside the Home.

Integrated Care Plans

• In consultation with the Caseworker, to support the Residents’ integrated care plans through the programmes delivered in the unit or through day to day tasks/activities

Undertake any other duties directed by Unit Leader and / or Manager, RC

Note: The residential home setting is a 24/7 facility. Guidance Officers are rostered to work shifts (sometimes 7am to 4pm, mostly 1pm to 10pm; 5 days a week with 2 rotational off days).