Winanga-Li Permanency Support Program Cultural Support/Connections Worker – Male

Permanency Support Program Cultural Support/Connections Worker – Male

Winanga-Li Aboriginal Child and Family Centre is accredited as an Aboriginal Out-of-Home Care Service. Our Out-of-Home Care service is located in Gunnedah and covers the New England Region including Gunnedah, Quirindi, Tamworth, Narrabri, Moree and neighbouring towns.

The PSP Cultural Support/Connections Worker is responsible for supporting children and young people in Out-of-Home Care by developing, growing, and fostering their connection to their culture. This role will work closely with the children, young people, their family, kin, carers, and community to identify their cultural needs and develop appropriate cultural plans. 

The Cultural Support/Connections worker will implement a range of cultural activities and programs that enhance the knowledge and understanding of their culture, provide emotional and cultural support, and work collaboratively with other professionals to ensure cultural considerations are integrated into support plans. Additionally, this role will assist the children and young people in improving their employability, cross-cultural communication skills, building strong relationships, and increasing access to community support, while promoting their self-awareness and confidence and enhancing their health and wellbeing.

You will be joining a dedicated team, working along-side a female Cultural Support/Connections Worker, who are committed to providing the best possible support to children, and young people.

This position is a full-time position, working 37.5 hours over 5 days per week. At times you will be required to work on weekends and participate on the on-call roster. 

This is an Aboriginal identified position.

Tasks & responsibilities:

• Research and gather information regarding each individual child and young person’s family, Kin and Country including ensuring each child has a complete genogram.
• Work with Caseworkers to develop a priority schedule of plans for existing children and young people.
• Conduct research to identify significant family and Kin to the child/young person in the PSP Program. Establish contact and build trusting relationships with family and Kin so they are comfortable and willing to contribute family history and cultural information about the child/young person while exercising significant judgement and initiative when consulting with family members.
• Review and implement processes, templates and record keeping for Cultural Plans. Educate and advise the PSP team on processes and
  information required to facilitate the effective and efficient development of each child/young person’s Cultural Plan.
• Develop and maintain accurate and an up-to-date system for ensuring each child/young person’s Cultural Plan is developed, renewed, and maintained at all times.
• Provide guidance to Caseworkers and the PSP Team to implement individualised strategies to establish, maintain and develop connections to family and culture.
• Working with Caseworkers with respect to each young person in preparation to leave care, ensuring the young person is linked into cultural supports that will support the young person when they leave care.
• Identify suitable services for children/young people that will assist with the connection to family and culture including services from their community of belonging.
• Maintain accurate up-to-date records of contact details, conversations and meetings for each child/young person and Carer files, utilising both paper and electronic case management tools.
• Share specialised knowledge and help the PSP team members with respect to the developed cultural plans for each child/young person. 
• Liaise with the Carer Support Worker to ensure Carers have resources and training to facilitate the implementation of the child/young person’s Cultural Plan, particularly non-Aboriginal Carers.
• In coordination with the Carer Support Worker, participate in information sessions and assist with the delivery of cultural awareness training to Foster Carers.
• Notify PSP Manager and report all cases of suspected risk of harm to children/young people to DCJ and/or other authorities as required by current legislation.
• Assist caseworkers with the preparation of legal documents such as Affidavits, court documents and court reports.
• Undertake administrative functions associated with the work performed to ensure the maintenance of current and accurate records in compliance with legislative standards.
• Complete monthly reports including statistical reports, project work and client reviews.
• Establish and maintain good working relationship with relevant agencies and other stakeholders.
• Organise and plan regular Cultural Camps for the children, young people and their Carers.

Essential Selection Criteria

• Be male, and of Aboriginal descent and a demonstrated understanding of why this is relevant to the role, including an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in out-of-home care. 
• Strong understanding and proven ability to engage with and work within the local Aboriginal Community.
• Qualifications or extensive experience in Aboriginal Cultural Studies, Aboriginal Welfare, Child Protection or related area.
• Specialist knowledge in finding family and cultural connections.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Out-of-Home Care (Foster Care) sector including Aboriginal Child Placement Principles.
• Proven experience in person or family centred approach to service provision.
• Excellent communicator, with strong interpersonal, facilitation and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent report writing and document preparation skills including preparation of court documents.
• Strong computer skills including database entry, word processing and Microsoft Office suite of programs.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and deliver to competing deadlines.
• Proven ability to work with other community groups, services and agencies.
• Working knowledge of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 and the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Regulation 2000.

This position is subject to applicants having a current Working With Children Check, Criminal Record Check clearances and a current unrestricted NSW Driver's License.

Aboriginality is a genuine occupational qualification and is authorised by Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1997.

Being male is a genuine occupational qualification for this position as described under Section 31(2(h)of the Anti-Discrimination Act, 1977 (NSW).

To apply for this exciting role please email *****@winanga-li.org.au 

• A copy of your Resume 
• Letter addressing your suitability based on the above Essential Selection Criteria
• Detail why you are interested in the role of PSP Cultural Support/Connections Worker - Male
• Explain your understanding of the Child Safe Policies and what you think of the Child Safe Policies.

For inquiries about the position please contact Madi Ellis on 6743 0944.