Senior Child and Family Wellbeing Practitioner - Katherine

Within the Katherine and Big Rivers region TeamHEALTH deliver programs to Children, Families and Adults. These include the Child and Family Wellbeing Service, Child and Family Intensive Support Service (CaFIS), the Resilient Childrens Mental Health Awareness Program (RCMHAP) and the Recovery Assistance Program (RAP).

The Child and Family Wellbeing Service provides early intervention support to vulnerable families with children and young people who are showing early signs of, or are at risk of developing a mental illness, to improve their wellbeing and enable them to better participate in their communities and reach their full potential.  The key outcomes are:

Children and young people have improved emotional health and wellbeing

Children and young people can better manage the different aspects of their lives

Families and carers are helped to support their children and young people

Communities have a better understanding of and response to mental health issues that affect children and young people.

In partnership with Kalano Community Association, TeamHEALTH deliver the Big Rivers Child and Family Intensive Support (CaFIS) service, a co-designed early intervention program for at-risk Children and Families. CaFIS activities will build on early intervention approaches in the Child and Family Wellbeing service to include elements of holistic and Family-based case support interventions in a culturally safe and appropriate way. The aim is to integrate supports with other service provider programs, supporting stronger outcomes for children and families across the Big Rivers region. The Program further aims to support families, strengthen relationships, improve the wellbeing of children and young people and increase participation of people in the community to enhance family and community functioning.

Reporting to the Team Leader, the Senior Child and Family Wellbeing Practitioner will work closely with the Youth and Family Services Manager at Kalano to focus on delivering early intervention, risk assessment, risk minimisation and relapse prevention approaches for participants referred to the CaFIS Program which is both timely and culturally sensitive. The role may also include development and delivery of mental health education sessions for the purpose of upskilling the CaFIS team members from both TeamHEALTH and Kalano Community Association.

The Senior Child and Family Wellbeing Practitioner will also work closely with the Team Leader to deliver strength-based case management and activities to children, young people and families in line with the Child and Family Wellbeing Service Program guidelines. Outreach support is also provided to assist in the development and implementation of participant centred Family Action Plans.

The Senior Child and Family Wellbeing Practitioner will be responsible for developing collaborative partnerships internally within related TeamHEALTH Programs and externally with local organisations, to facilitate the development of strong community relationships and support for increased knowledge and understanding of mental illness.  They will work to establish good referral pathways, into and out of the services in order to reach vulnerable children, young people and families who may not otherwise engage with the mental health or children’s service sector.

The role will be key in establishing professional and supportive relationships with clinical services such as Top End Mental Health Service (TEMHS) and will be responsible for identifying gaps in services for participants and making recommendations on methods or new services by which these gaps and system improvements can be addressed.

Under the direction of the Youth and Family Services Manager the Senior Child and Family Wellbeing Practitioner will also provide education, training and information to promote awareness and support change and maintain safety and improve relationships to help keep families together through mentoring of other workers in case management and direct intervention approaches.

Although the Senior Child and Family Wellbeing Practitioner provides services in the Katherine region, they at times will be required to provide support or assistance to other TeamHEALTH Programs/Regions. This may involve travel that entails overnight or weekly absences.

Key Selection Criteria

1. A National Police Certificate that was issued less than two years ago or proof of an application for a National Police Certificate.
2. A current NT Driver’s Licence
3. A current Ochre Card and NDIS Worker Screening Clearance 
4. NDIS Worker Orientation Module Certificate.

1. Relevant tertiary qualification in Social Work, Counselling, Psychology or less formal qualifications with substantial experience in a related area.
2. Demonstrated cultural competency in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people and families.
3. Demonstrated experience and application of the strength-based approach and competence in a range of interventions relevant to children and young people, conducting risk and needs assessments and implementing action plans.
4. Demonstrated ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with key stakeholders including participants, community members and other services.
5. Demonstrated ability to lead, coach and develop staff to ensure they perform and reach their full potential.
6. Action orientated, flexible and innovative with the ability to work independently and as part of a small team.
7. Demonstrate a high level of communication skills, including written and verbal, and demonstrated computer literacy.
8. Demonstrated ethical work practices including the limits of confidentiality and the use of appropriate personal boundaries.

1. Demonstrated knowledge and/or experience working in rural and remote settings.
2. Experience in the delivery of training to young people and adults in both individual or group settings.

TeamHEALTH recognises the value of experience in all facets of life and work and encourages individuals with a lived experience of mental illness to apply.  

TeamHEALTH offers above award conditions including 5 weeks annual leave, salary packaging and a friendly and flexible work environment. An attractive salary package will be negotiated with the successful applicant commensurate with qualifications and experience.

TeamHEALTH have worker shared accommodation available for the right applicant that may be considering relocating to the Katherine region. 

Please note applications must include a Resume and Cover Letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria including essential for the position. Applications not containing a Cover Letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria will not be considered.

If you would like further information please visit our website teamhealth.asn.au/careers or contact our Human Resources Team **@teamhealth.asn.au   

Applications close Sunday 28th April 2024.