Case Worker First Nations

About the role
An exciting opportunity currently exists in Toowoomba to join the Foster and Kinship Care Team at Mercy Community as a Permanent Full-time Foster and Kinship Care Practitioner (Case Worker). This role is responsible for the provision of high-quality support to foster and kinship carers to assist carers to meet the identified needs of the children and young people placed in care.
$82,044 annually (award) plus superannuation plus generous salary packaging available
What you will be doing

• Identify cultural needs and connect children and young people with culturally appropriate resource options in their local community, in accordance with the intervention plan for the young person and as directed by the Foster Care Caseworker or line manager

• Assist with recruitment, induction and associated processes for foster and kinship carers to meet identified placement needs of children requiring Family Based Care

• Assessing carers and helping to inform and develop their skills and knowledge regarding the support of children living in Family Based Care

• You will be the first point of call for Foster & Kinship Carers

• Build effective relationships with young people that are living in foster care and work to support them therapeutically with a range of stakeholders (Department of Child Safety, QLD Health and QLD Education and other Mercy programs)

• Support and educate carers about the Child Protection system and support them to understand the legislation and what this means for them and the children they care for

About you
As the successful applicant, you will possess:

• 3 or 4 year tertiary qualification in Social Work, Human Services or related discipline or relevant experience in Social Work or Human Services

• Demonstrated experience in the support and mentoring of children and young people in Family Based Care

• To perform this role, it is essential that the person who holds the position be an Aboriginal person or Torres Strait Islander person and is therefore a genuine occupational requirement under section 25, 104 and 105 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld)

• A highly developed understanding of First Nations peoples, cultures and societies and the issues which impact upon them in contemporarily, together with a commitment to culturally appropriate engagement and practice

• Demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with First Nations people

• Demonstrated intermediate ability to use computer IT systems including MS Word and Excel

• Queensland Provisional Green or above Driver Licence

• Ability to obtain positive notice in the Working with Children Check (Blue Card) and any other legislatively required personal history screening as required

• Evidence of current vaccination against whooping cough or willingness to obtain prior to commencement, unless applicable exemption provided as per the relevant MC procedure

Why Mercy Community
Mercy Community is a Catholic not-for-profit, compassionately inspiring and supporting people to live hopeful, connected lives within inclusive communities. We support families and young people, people living with a disability, and older people, and live by our values of Compassion, Integrity, Dignity and Empowerment. We have been providing services and support for over 150 years and our team operates across a network that encompasses urban, rural and remote communities.
Mercy Community has an active Cultural Connections Leadership group that consists of First Nation staff from across our service delivery and corporate streams who directly support the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and Mercy Community’s Mission and Values.
The Leaders also advise on the operational effectiveness of Mercy Community by reviewing policy and procedures and supporting systems and specific programs that advocate for the health and well-being of Mercy’s First Nations staff members, First Nations clients, First Nations stakeholders, and the broader First Nations community.
Being part of the Mercy Community team, means you have access to some fantastic benefits, such as:

• Increase your take home pay through the use of generous salary packaging - up to $18,550 per annum of your salary is available as a tax-free component
• Pay for your Queensland Blue Card and NDIS Worker Screening Card when you need – saving you up to $144 if you need both cards!
• Provide you and your immediate family free, professional and confidential counselling services including specialised First Nations counsellors

Depending on your role, you may also be eligible:

• For annual influenza and/or other vaccination reimbursements
• To receive pay bonus’ of $500 for successful employee referrals
• To cash out or purchase annual leave and to take advantage of extra leave entitlements

We also ensure all our employees have access to a wide variety of excellent learning and development tools to continue your professional and personal development. This includes making sure you have access to a range of other career pathways and opportunities across Mercy.
APPLY NOW! Please note we may contact applicants prior to closing date so not delay in applying.
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