Family Services Practitioner

About the role:

If you have experience in providing specialist support to families and children’s overall wellbeing, and are a passionate, and innovative social worker looking to contribute directly to community development and social change, then we want you! Our community wants you! Step away from feeling stagnant and burnt-out with city life, and jump on this opportunity for a scenic change…come join our team in the peaceful regional Rural City of Wangaratta. 

Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) is searching for a new team member to join our Wodonga or Wangaratta office. This new team member is someone who is just as excited as our staff to be a part of our culturally supportive team environment where wellbeing for community and staff is our central focus. In this role you will use your skills in addressing complex social, cultural and systemic challenges to contribute to the self-determination and fulfillment of our Ovens & Murray Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander families and children’s lives to promote and endorse family well-being, stability and resilience.

At MAC we welcome passion, creativity, innovation and invite you to collaborate your bright ideas to support our community. We are all about positive contribution and advancement, which we know comes from our awesome team members and community members.

What we will give you!

• Relocation assistance!
• Competitive salary package with salary packaging options (up to $18,550.00 salary sacrificing benefits)!
• Wellbeing Initiatives!
• Christmas and New Year period gifted!
• Culturally safe and inclusive work environment!
• Ongoing professional development opportunities and support!
• Access to laptop, mobile phone, and flexible work arrangements!
• Free and confidential Employment Assistance Program and more!

Key responsibilities:

• You will provide quality interventions and services that focus on outcomes to families experiencing vulnerability and the safety and wellbeing of children.
• You will work with families to support reunification or meaningful contact with the child/ren or young people, as well as intensive outreach that focuses on safety and wellbeing oof children and young people.
• You will provide education and practical support to families to enhance parenting skills and capacity and reduce risk factors impacting the safety of the child/ren or young people.
• You will promote and engage in relationships with Aboriginal controlled organisations and Aboriginal families that promote culture as a safety for children.
• You will actively engage (including outreach visits) children, young people, and families, including those who may be resistant, by being flexible, responsive, strengths-focused, and creative.

Essential

• A qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Welfare, Youth Work, or willingness to obtain one whilst being employed in the role.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures preferably with established links to the local community.
• A current Driver’s Licence
• Victorian Working with Children Check

Key Selection Criteria

• Sound knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal Culture and the issues impacting the Aboriginal community. Commitment to providing a Culturally safe service.
• Sound understanding of case management work with families in crisis and who have experienced trauma.
• Experience in conducting risk and needs assessments. 
• Sound understanding of the Child Protection and welfare system, and experience in collaboration with a range of professionals in a care team approach.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, time management and organisational skills.
• Ability to advocate, negotiate and problem solve.
• Ability to partake in reflective practice and to be self-directed. 
• Skills, knowledge, and experience Skills in in the delivery of child and Family Services, substance abuse, child protection, early years, family violence, therapeutic interventions and/or mental health will be an advantage. 

Working at MAC:

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We are a Community Controlled Organisation (Not-for-profit) that has been servicing the Aboriginal and/Torres Strait Islander community since 1994 when it was established by local Aboriginal Community Members. The purpose of MAC was and continues to be promotion of a healthy and proud community through motivation, education and cultural acknowledgement while ensuring a sense of belonging. MAC has grown to over 30 staff members and is projected to grow exponentially over the coming years. 

As MAC’s Family Services Practitioner you will report to the Family Services Team Leader. You will contribute positively to the multi-disciplinary Child and Families team and engage and build external relationships with local stakeholders and agencies, with the common purpose of supporting parents to ensure best social, emotional, educational outcomes for children. You will harness our values of cultural proudness, empowerment, collaboration, respect, integrity and compassion in all aspects of your position within community and MAC and will have these values reciprocated. MAC promotes a supportive and culturally safe environment in all personal and professional realms. MAC will strive to support any professional development to advance your capabilities in successfully completing your role and responsibilities with numerous opportunities for growth within the organisation.

If this sounds like a workplace you would like to be a part of, then apply now!

APPLYING FOR THIS ROLE

If this role and organisation sounds like something you wish to be a part of, then act quick, and reach out to our People & Culture Officer to request the Position Description! 

We highly encourage applicants to review the position description before applying for the role. You can contact us at **@mungabareena.org.au or call us at 02 6024 7*** for a confidential phone call.

In your application, please submit a brief cover letter, address the key selection criteria and an updated resume. This should not exceed 5 pages.

Applications are open until successfully filled.