Senior Case Worker

WUNGENING ABORIGINAL CORPORATION - Healing Mind, Body & Spirit

FIRST NATIONS PEOPLE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

Centrecare Incorporated, in partnership with Wungening Aboriginal Corporation and Lamp, have established an integrated approach to delivering the Department of Communities – Child Protection and Family Support (CPFS) Building Safe and Strong Families: Earlier Intervention and Family Support Strategy (the EIFS Strategy).

The overarching outcome will be to have children living in safe, stable nurturing environments, achieving good life outcomes, protecting from abuse and neglect and to support families and individuals who are at risk of crisis.

These services focus on the needs of vulnerable children and families experiencing significant disadvantage and adverse consequences. Providing culturally secure, family focused services to support families to minimise risk to children and young people and to divert them from the child protection system.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Reporting to the Team Leader, this position will support the statutory intensive in-home support, community intensive in-home support and implementation of the early diversionary support network components of the regional service model within the Department of Communities Child Protection and Family Support (CPFS) Southwest district.  

You will support the most vulnerable Aboriginal families in the South West area to nurture moorditj djerripin koorlungas (strong happy children). You will work with the Team Leader/Coordinator of the service to promote practice excellence in working with Aboriginal families while adhering to Wungening’s and/or Centrecare’s service model. 

This will enable the service to deliver the outcomes prescribed by our funding body:  

• Families improve parenting skills to safely care for their children  
• Families address issues that impact negatively on their children  
• Families develop skills and get their children to school  
• Families improve and develop culturally safe support networks  

This position will work within the Alliance Programs, providing a culturally appropriate, in-home family support service to families who are most at risk of child protection intervention to assist them to build their capacity as parents/caregivers and provide protection to their vulnerable and at risk children. The service encompasses strength based approaches to enhance the capacity of families, children and individuals to create a safe, protective environment, to develop skills to enhance their safety and life skills and improve their connectedness to the community and to available resources. You will also support and work within Wungening’s and Centrecare’s therapeutic framework to ensure consistency in program design, program application (integrity), service delivery, and outcome measurement. 

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

• A bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology or related discipline or 3-5 years of significant relevant experience in a child protection / family support setting.
• Considerable experience in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to promote healing and family safety and wellbeing.
• Understanding and knowledge of the issues and challenges experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and children in contact with the child protections system.
• Demonstrated high level communication, facilitation and negotiation skills including written, oral and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage stakeholder relationships and promote the reputation of the Wungening Alliance program and work part of a team to deliver a quality service.
• Ability to facilitate case conferences and therapeutic groups from an anti-oppressive framework that promotes empowerment and self-determination.
• Excellent time management skills, with the ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines and act decisively.

ESSENTIAL PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

• WA Working with Children Card
• Police Clearance
• WA Divers Licence
• Department of Communities Clearance

Join us in creating a healthy, safe, strong and sustainable Aboriginal community.

WORKING WITH WUNGENING – JOB BENEFITS AT A GLANCE

In additional to fulfilling a passion for social justice and community healing, you will enjoy the many benefits of our generous Enterprise Bargaining Award Agreement, including:

• 2 wellness days per year
• 3-day additional Christmas shutdown leave
• 4-week top up maternity leave
• Excellent salary packaging options available
• Long Service after 6 years
• Mentoring and training opportunities
• Clear pathways for advancement

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR APPLICANTS

Applications must include a one page covering letter addressing the Essential Criteria, plus a concise CV clearly outlining your qualifications and experience.

Applications close Wednesday 10 April 2024.

 All enquiries should be directed to Acting Family and EIFSS Manager, Skye Frizza on 0436 609 ***

Our organisation is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. We require all applicants to undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment.

Being suitable for a position does not guarantee an offer of employment.

We reserve the right to close applications and appoint prior to the nominated closing date.