Kinship Care Practitioner (Fixed Term)

NGATANWAAR (Welcome)

We are seeking the services of a Kinship Care Practitioner for a 12-month period fixed term

Work in an appreciative and supportive environment that offers generous remuneration including tax savings and additional leave where you will achieve real and meaningful outcomes that positively affect our community.

Established in 1979 Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperatives vision is simple: Empower the individual the family wins Empower the family the community wins Empower the community our culture wins. Our team of dedicated professionals work together to achieve this outcome as evidenced in our latest audit where we received two rare commendations Workforce Development and Diversity & Cultural Safety. Put simply this is a great and highly supportive place to work.

IDENTIFIED POSITION

This is an identified position. The Equal Opportunity Act permits special measures that help people who experience disadvantage to access equal opportunity in employment. Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples are eligible to apply for this position which is exempt under the Special Measure Provision Section 12 (1) of the Equal Opportunity Act 2011 (Vic).

THE ROLE

Full case management of children on protective orders and where the child is placed long-term with their extended families

Supporting carers and children involved in statutory Kinship Care placements

Regular visits to children in kinship care placements

Provide family support to carers needing short term family support intervention

Organise and facilitate access between the children in kinship care placements and their parents or other family members

Identify training and support needs of kinship carers including non-Aboriginal kinship carers in terms of their cultural competence and connection to the Aboriginal community

Provide cultural information and support to non-Aboriginal kinship carers

Identify childrens needs using the Looking After Children framework and the resources needed to meet these needs as well as completing LAC documentation

Complete Carer Assessments and Permanent Care Assessments as required

Structuring of and implementing avenues for Respite Care

Complete quarterly reports court reports and Best Interests Draft Case plan reports for each allocated child in a kinship care placement

Liaison with related community and government organisations concerning Kinship Care

Networking and Collaboration

Develop and maintain effective working relationships with a broad range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and mainstream services across a variety of sectors

Develop and maintain strong working relationships with Child Protection & Child First staff

Network and collaborate with a broad range of Child Youth and Family Services to ensure an integrated service response to children youth and families in the program

Work collaboratively with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and other agencies

Administration

Meet contractual case management tasks and reporting requirements to DHHS

Provide accurate information to update and maintain client data on the CRISSP CRIS electronic data systems

Assisting our community integrate culturally appropriate practices that promote strength and resilience in todays society

Ensure the effective management of the programs administrative functions including planning meeting deadlines monitoring and reviewing Program performance in line with Gunditjmara objectives and DHHS funding expectations

Maintain accurate confidential and up to date case notes record keeping and client data collection

Participate in ongoing supervision with the Team Leader Child Youth and Family Services and professional development as negotiated with the Manager of Child Youth and Family Services including attending relevant training and information sessions

Contribute to program reviews and evaluations

Maintain accurate and confidential records and statistics of daily activities mother/family profiles and other documents which will be required for submitting and reporting on funding.

Write reports and assessments adhering to best practice and professional standards

Ensure all contact information is entered into the required data systems in a timely manner.

Participate in 12 monthly performance appraisals

Oversee and provide supervision to placement students.

Participate in professional development

Utilize Staff member program engagement plan developed by practitioner and team leader and review regularly

Risk assessment planning and review

Conduct risk assessments on child safety and well-being. Include team leader and manager as required (SAFER Framework)

Conduct Brief and intermediate MARAM assessments as required where family violence has been identified (In consultation with Family safety and healing team if required)

Safety planning around risks identified by family/practitioner using GAC provided templates

Liaise with community-based child protection and Navigator around Section 38 consults and L17s.

THE IDEAL PERSON FOR THIS ROLE

Essential

Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

Demonstrated awareness and commitment to working within the Best Interest Principles outlined within the Child Youth and Families Act 2005 and a dedication to supporting the best interest of children and young people.

An understanding of Child Safe Standards and how these Standards apply to the role.

Demonstrated understanding of the Child Protection system and child welfare work with the ability to liaise with DHHS Child Protection in relation to addressing protective concerns for children.

Ability to provide a high-quality service to families with complex needs including crisis intervention and supporting the safety and wellbeing of children and their families by thinking broadly and holistically in relation to interventions with children and their families engaging with families reluctant to using support services and identifying and responding to risk factors for children and families.

Demonstrated experience in working within a multi-disciplinary team and the ability to work with either minimal direction or cooperatively as part of the team with a proven ability to work with and maintain confidentiality and knowledge of privacy requirements relevant to the role and with an understanding of Mandatory reporting excellent record keeping and report writing skills.

Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and understanding of the local Aboriginal Community.

Well-developed interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with people particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Have an understanding and commitment to positive Aboriginal health outcomes and Aboriginal culture.

Ability to work with Aboriginal organizations communities and individuals in culturally appropriate ways.

Practical knowledge and understanding of a range of child rearing practices and values as they relate to Aboriginal culture.

Willingness to work with and impart knowledge to other team members.

Intermediate level computer and written communication skills.

Demonstrated ability to respond effectively and flexibly to families with high needs. Seeking assistance as required.

HOW TO APPLY

Position descriptions are available on request by emailing

Please forward your covering letter (addressing the key selection criteria) and resume to .

We are looking to fill these position ASAP however we will wait for the right candidate so get in quick.

We are a Child Safe organisation. This means that any job offer will be subject to strict screening processes and proof of immunisation (both childhood & Covid). See the position description for further information.

For further information please contact Sally Goullet on (03)