AddressThe Placement and Support worker will provide information, advice, recommendations to services providing out-of-home care services to Aboriginal children to maintain connectedness to their culture, community, family and country as referred by the Placement and Coordination Unit (PCU) of the Department of Families, Fairness, and Housing.
*Please note that this is a position open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants only.
ORGANISATIONAL VALUES:
The Placement and Support worker will embrace Njernda’s vision for empowering our Aboriginal community and the organisations values:
- Respect – Establishing relationships based on respect and trust.
- Resilience – Encouraging cultural and spiritual growth to enable personal growth.
- Cultural Sensitivity – Welcoming and serving our community with understanding and without judgement.
- Advocacy – Working to transform the disadvantaged and challenge the causes that impact on our community.
- Accountability – Taking ownership and initiative of Njernda values to ensure trusted collaborations are formed.
KINSHIP CARE
The Kinship Care Program works in partnership with DFFH, Anglicare & Njernda Corporation Family Services to assist in the provision of safe, relevant, culturally sensitive, and appropriate Kinship care to all Aboriginal children requiring alternative care.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide information, advice, recommendations to services providing Out of Home Care services to Aboriginal children to maintain connectedness to their culture, community, family, and country, as appropriate.
- Assist in the development of service improvements to increase capacity of Out of Home Care services to provide cultural safety for Aboriginal children in care.
- Assist organisations connect with significant Aboriginal cultural events.
- Educate and promote the importance of cultural support plans (CSP) for children placed in out of home care and provide advice on most appropriate way of fulfilling the child’s CSP.
- Participate in the development of a cultural plan for Aboriginal children in out of home care.
- Involve interested relevant parties in the development of cultural plans ensuring the building of relationships between the child, their family, and the caregiver.
- Participate in the coordination of transition of Aboriginal children to and from Out of Home Care services.
- In a timely manner ensure non-Aboriginal carers receive information on culturally appropriate caring, to ensure the child’s cultural values, beliefs and practices are respected and upheld.
- Develop and maintain positive engagement with appropriate services, including other Aboriginal services, family members and community networks.
- Maintain data and report to team leader on targets.
- Make appropriate referrals/links with/for agencies to ensure the needs of Aboriginal children are met.
- Work with the Aboriginal community to support community placements.
- Assist in building the understanding and knowledge of mainstream caregivers to understand caring for Aboriginal children cultural needs and lifestyle.
- Source and provide information/stories about a particular child’s tribe/clan culture.
- Work cooperatively to develop local community events e.g., family days, NAIDOC week, cultural events etc.
- Participate in ongoing training and development.
- Always ensure the confidentiality of client information.
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA:
Applicants must possess:
- Knowledge of Kinship connections and how the dynamics of the family linkages connect within the local Aboriginal community.
- Well developed interpersonal and communication skills including proven experience to engage Aboriginal children, young people, Elders, and family in a collaborative planning process
- Demonstrated understanding of the issues that Aboriginal families, children and young people face in the Child Protection system including an understanding of the Aboriginal Child Placement Principles.
- The ability to work as part of a team and a strong commitment to collaborative working relationships with internal and externals services.
- Well-developed verbal and written communication skills and the ability to communicate with Aboriginal families in a culturally sensitive manner including experience in effective negotiation and advocacy for families, children, and young people.
- Proven knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal people and Aboriginal Culture
- Knowledge of child and adolescent development and strategies for working with families, young people, and children.
- Well developed skills and knowledge in utilising computers and software programs such as Microsoft.
- Demonstrated ability to successfully work as part of a team and the capacity to work flexible hours according to work demands.
- Good organisational skills including the ability to prioritise deadlines, collate and record data, and maintain records.
Other relevant information
- Appointment is subject to a satisfactory Police check & Working with Children check.
- Commitment to equal opportunity and occupational health and safety principles and practices are required.
- You will need to disclose any pre-existing illness or injury you know about which could be affected by the described work duties. Under section 82 (7) of the Accident Compensation Act, failure to disclose such a pre-existing illness or injury will mean that, if employed, you will not be paid compensation for that condition.
Written applications should include a covering letter. Please include the names and telephone contacts of at least two referees and forward to:
All applicants must address the Key Selection Criteria and include a recent resume
Address your application marked: “Private & Confidential”
To: HR Manager
Njernda Aboriginal Corporation
84 Hare, Echuca Vic 3564
PO Box 201, Echuca Vic 3564
or apply through our website:
www.njernda.com.au/employment-opportunities
Please check the closing date to ensure your application is received within the specified time. Applications may be posted, emailed, hand delivered or faxed (provided that a hard copy is posted on the same day).
Applications may be posted, emailed, hand delivered or faxed (provided that a hard copy is posted on the same day).
All applications close: 8th May 2024
