CQID is experiencing organisational growth across all services and seeking suitable candidates for a range of positions.

CQID is one of the largest employers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Central Queensland region. Offering a broad range of service areas, with roles that serve our community across Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Emerald, Gladstone, Hervey Bay, Longreach, Maryborough and Woorabinda.

A new organisational structure, designated HR team and the implementation of a new Workforce Strategy. Striving to support employees on their career journey is a priority and contributes us to being an Employer of Choice.

Purpose of the Position

The Child Family Support Practitioner, Strong Carer, Strong Children (Family Based Care Services)

The Child Family Support Practitioner role is to support the Team Leader to Provide Foster and Kinship Carers with personalised support, case management and journey with them to ensure the safety and successful placement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in a family home environment. The Child Family Support Practitioner major responsibility is to ensure a high level of therapeutic support is provided to placements of children and young people who we CQID identify and in agreeance with the Department require additional in home support.

Strong carers. Strong children. Strong culture. Strong community.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, kinship systems, cultural authority, family relationships, community and connection to Country guide all service delivery.
• Embed culturally safe, family-led, strengths-based, trauma-informed and child-centred practice consistent with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle.
• Allocate and monitor referrals, caseloads, assessment progress and staff responsibilities to ensure equitable workloads and timely service delivery.
• Oversee the timely completion of initial and provisional kinship carer assessments, Household Safety Studies, Blue Card requirements and associated documentation.
• Provide regular staff supervision, performance support, reflective practice and professional development, escalating complex practice matters when required.
• Ensure prospective kinship carers and their households receive clear information, culturally safe engagement and practical assistance throughout the assessment and approval process.
• Support staff to identify and address barriers to caring through coordinated referrals, practical assistance and the appropriate use of brokerage.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with children, families, kin, CQID programs, Child Safety, prescribed delegates, assessment panels and community partners.
• Support culturally safe and coordinated referrals and transitions between Connecting Kin, Equipping Kin and Supporting Kin services.
• Ensure service delivery complies with relevant legislation, departmental requirements, assessment guidelines, contractual obligations, CQID policies and quality standards.
• Advocate for carers with the Department of Child Safety and other organisations
• Follow Assessment and Case Management procedures and standards, including ongoing approvals
• Build respectful and professional relationships with service users, carers, agencies, partners, community and colleagues.
• Provide direct care of children and young people in placement and assist Foster and Kinship Carers to best meet the challenging needs of the children and young people in their care
• Active engagement in building relationships through interaction and activities
• Applied knowledge and understanding of trauma-based behaviours
• Assessing complex needs of children and care environments, developing and implementing individual care plans
• Maintain accurate quality record keeping
• Participate and contribute to the organisation’s compliance obligations under the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System and Health Standards Quality Systems (HSQS)
• At all times work within CQID’s Workplace Health & Safety Policies and Procedures
• Other responsibilities as directed by the Team Leader

Detailed procedures, practice requirements and operational responsibilities will be outlined in the Strong Carers, Strong Children Practice Manual.

Key Performance Indicators

• Ability to implement therapeutic strategies with foster and kinship care families.
• Percentage of families meeting goals outlined in their placement support plan
• Measurable decrease in family risk factors after intervention period.
• Hours contributed to each home have been achieved each week.
• Engagement with other key stakeholders to help achieve the goals within the foster or kinship home.
• Therapeutic supports implemented into the household that are linked to the needs of children and carers.
• Number of in-home psychosocial activities the children and young people have been involved in are linked to their care plan.
• Development of care plan and placement plan of each household
• Number psychoeducational information provided in the home to increase Carers knowledge regarding trauma and support required for the children.

Qualifications and Experience

• A relevant tertiary qualification in social work, human services, community services, child protection, leadership or a related field, or a combination of relevant qualifications, cultural knowledge and significant demonstrated experience.
• Strong cultural identity, knowledge and connection to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community, with the ability to work respectfully across different communities, cultures and kinship systems.
• Demonstrated experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, kin and communities in a culturally safe, respectful and strengths-based way.
• Demonstrated experience within kinship care, foster and kinship care, child protection, family support or a related child and family service.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating service delivery, managing competing priorities and ensuring work is completed accurately and within required timeframes.
• Strong understanding of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle, family-led decision-making, cultural safety and the impacts of colonisation and intergenerational trauma.
• Experience working collaboratively with Child Safety, prescribed delegates, assessment panels, community-controlled organisations and other government and community partners.
• Knowledge of relevant child protection legislation, information-sharing requirements, privacy obligations, quality standards and organisational policies.
• Demonstrated ability to engage respectfully with families experiencing complex circumstances and support staff to identify practical solutions to barriers affecting kinship care.
• Demonstrated experience in working closely, creatively and appropriately with families, and engaging with them with a strengths-based focus to meet the social, emotional and psychological needs of the children and young people in their care.