NGATANWAAR (Welcome)
We are seeking the services of a Kinship Care Practitioner for a 12-month period fixed term
Work in an appreciative and supportive environment, that offers generous remuneration – including tax savings and additional leave where you will achieve real and meaningful outcomes that positively affect our community.
Established in 1979, Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative’s vision is simple: “Empower the individual the family wins, Empower the family the community wins, Empower the community our culture wins”. Our team of dedicated professionals work together to achieve this outcome as evidenced in our latest audit where we received two rare commendations Workforce Development and Diversity & Cultural Safety. Put simply, this is a great and highly supportive place to work.
IDENTIFIED POSITION
This is an identified position. The Equal Opportunity Act permits special measures that help people who experience disadvantage to access equal opportunity in employment. Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples are eligible to apply for this position, which is exempt under the Special Measure Provision, Section 12 (1) of the Equal Opportunity Act 2011 (Vic).
THE ROLE
• Full case management of children on protective orders and where the child is placed long-term with their extended families
• Supporting carers and children involved in statutory Kinship Care placements
• Regular visits to children in kinship care placements
• Provide family support to carers needing short term family support intervention
• Organise and facilitate access between the children in kinship care placements and their parents or other family members
• Identify training and support needs of kinship carers, including non-Aboriginal kinship carers in terms of their cultural competence and connection to the Aboriginal community
• Provide cultural information and support to non-Aboriginal kinship carers
• Identify children’s needs using the Looking After Children framework and the resources needed to meet these needs as well as completing LAC documentation
• Complete Carer Assessments and Permanent Care Assessments as required
• Structuring of and implementing avenues for Respite Care
• Complete quarterly reports, court reports and Best Interests Draft Case plan reports for each allocated child in a kinship care placement
• Liaison with related community and government organisations concerning Kinship Care
Networking and Collaboration
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with a broad range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and mainstream services, across a variety of sectors
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with Child Protection & Child First staff
• Network and collaborate with a broad range of Child, Youth and Family Services to ensure an integrated service response to children, youth and families in the program
• Work collaboratively with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and other agencies
Administration
• Meet contractual case management tasks and reporting requirements to DHHS
• Provide accurate information to update and maintain client data on the CRISSP, CRIS electronic data systems
• Assisting our community integrate culturally appropriate practices that promote strength and resilience in today’s society
• Ensure the effective management of the program’s administrative functions, including planning, meeting deadlines, monitoring, and reviewing Program performance in line with Gunditjmara objectives and DHHS funding expectations
• Maintain accurate, confidential, and up to date case notes, record keeping, and client data collection
• Participate in ongoing supervision with the Team Leader, Child, Youth and Family Services, and professional development as negotiated with the Manager of Child, Youth and Family Services, including attending relevant training and information sessions
• Contribute to program reviews and evaluations
• Maintain accurate and confidential records and statistics of daily activities, mother/family profiles and other documents which will be required for submitting and reporting on funding.
• Write reports and assessments adhering to best practice and professional standards
• Ensure all contact information is entered into the required data systems in a timely manner.
• Participate in 12 monthly performance appraisals
• Oversee and provide supervision to placement students.
• Participate in professional development
• Utilize Staff member program engagement plan developed by practitioner and team leader and review regularly
Risk assessment, planning and review
• Conduct risk assessments on child safety and well-being. Include team leader and manager as required (SAFER Framework)
• Conduct Brief and intermediate MARAM assessments as required where family violence has been identified (In consultation with Family safety and healing team if required)
• Safety planning around risks identified by family/practitioner using GAC provided templates
• Liaise with community-based child protection and Navigator around Section 38 consults and L17’s.
THE IDEAL PERSON FOR THIS ROLE
Essential
• Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
• Demonstrated awareness and commitment to working within the Best Interest Principles outlined within the Child, Youth and Families Act 2005 and a dedication to supporting the best interest of children and young people.
• An understanding of Child Safe Standards and how these Standards apply to the role.
• Demonstrated understanding of the Child Protection system and child welfare work with the ability to liaise with DHHS Child Protection in relation to addressing protective concerns for children.
• Ability to provide a high-quality service to families with complex needs, including crisis intervention and supporting the safety and wellbeing of children and their families by thinking broadly and holistically in relation to interventions with children and their families, engaging with families reluctant to using support services, and identifying and responding to risk factors for children and families.
• Demonstrated experience in working within a multi-disciplinary team and the ability to work with either minimal direction, or cooperatively as part of the team with a proven ability to work with and maintain confidentiality and knowledge of privacy requirements relevant to the role and with an understanding of Mandatory reporting, excellent record keeping and report writing skills.
• Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and understanding of the local Aboriginal Community.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with people, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
• Have an understanding and commitment to positive Aboriginal health outcomes and Aboriginal culture.
• Ability to work with Aboriginal organizations, communities, and individuals in culturally appropriate ways.
• Practical knowledge and understanding of a range of child rearing practices and values, as they relate to Aboriginal culture.
• Willingness to work with and impart knowledge to other team members.
• Intermediate level computer and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to respond effectively and flexibly to families with high needs. Seeking assistance as required.
HOW TO APPLY
Position descriptions are available on request by emailing Recruitment@gunditjmara.org.au
Please forward your covering letter (addressing the key selection criteria) and resume to recruitment@gunditjmara.org.au .
We are looking to fill these position ASAP, however we will wait for the right candidate, so get in quick.
We are a Child Safe organisation. This means that any job offer will be subject to strict screening processes and proof of immunisation (both childhood & Covid). See the position description for further information.
For further information, please contact Sally Goullet on (03) 5559 1234
