The Intensive support worker is responsible for providing case management support to vulnerable Aboriginal children, young people, and their families. This includes undertaking assessments of the children, young people and their family using the Best Interest Case Practice framework. The caseworker is also responsible for developing child and family action plans with the family and implementing, reviewing progress towards achieving the agreed plans. A key focus of the role is to maintain children safely within the family home whilst building on the family’s strengths, resilience, connections to culture and to support healing. This work may include working in partnership with the family and other services, particularly services within Njernda to provide intensive services within the best interest Case Practice framework. At times the caseworker will also be working across other Family Services programs as needed.
Respect
Establishing relationships based on respect and trust
Accountability
Taking ownership and initiative of Njernda values to ensure trusted collaborations are formed
Resilience
Encouraging cultural and spiritual growth to enable personal growth
Advocacy
Working to transform the disadvantage and challenge that causes impact on our community
Cultural Sensitivity
Welcoming and serving our community with understanding and without judgement
Case Management
• Provide case management to clients in the Intensive Family Services program. Provide parenting support and skills development according to individual family needs. When undertaking case work demonstrate an understanding of trans-generational trauma, community trauma and the adverse effects that underpins the work with the families.
• Develop holistic and comprehensive assessments of the needs of infants, children, young people, and their families within the Best Interests Case Practice Framework. Whilst undertaking this have a good knowledge of the local Aboriginal community, family dynamics, child rearing practices and issues faced within the local community.
• Monitor and assess risks to children and young people and liaise with other professionals when requested.
• keeping a record of all completed work with families on the CSNET system.
Direct Service Delivery
• Provide assertive outreach to families in the community involved in the program, engagement with the family can occur through in home support, within the community or at times be office based.
• Where children and families no longer require the support of Intensive Family Services Program facilitate connections with community and less intensive professional support services to ensure continued support post their engagement with Intensive Family Services.
• Other duties as directed.
Stakeholder Management
• Act as a key conduit and contact point between the child, the family and other professional services ensuring relevant information is shared without jeopardizing confidentiality. This may include coordinating care team meetings, creating a holistic approach.
• Work collaboratively with a range of multi-skilled specialists including but not limited to therapeutic treatment specialists.
• Establish strong working relationships with child protection and other professional services critical to achieving the program objectives and key performance indicators.
• Participate in formal and informal supervision as well as reviews when requested.
Planning and Reporting
• Plan and implement the provision of services and therapeutic support to children and their families. Report through an escalation process any concerning behavior that may place a child/young person at unacceptable risk.
• Provide monthly reports to family Services manager indicating progress towards KPI’s and enter data into program specific database and generate statistical reports for funding bodies as required.
• Actively participate in quality improvements within your division ensuring we provide a quality service.
Corporate Responsibilities
• Support values that respect historical and contemporary Aboriginal cultures and the traditional owners of the lands Njernda operate.
• Complies with relevant Quality Risk and Occupational Health and Safety laws, standards, safe work practices, policies and procedures and attend to all improvements & training opportunities.
• Actively monitor and improve the quality and safety of care and services.
• Assist with and support any internal or external audit processes.
Case Management
Demonstrated experience and understanding of child development, risk assessment, and family centered practices.
A sound understanding of trans-generational trauma, community trauma and the adverse effects along with a sound understanding of the local Aboriginal community, family dynamics, child rearing practices and issues faced within the local community.
Problem Solving
With a strengths-based approach, solve problems based on operational knowledge. and experience. Scanning for useful information, looking for underlying causes and suggesting alternative actions for clients and staff.
Organizing and Planning
Uses knowledge and experience to develop and implement systems to plan and monitor own performance. This includes sound time management skills and the ability to meet the varied needs of the families. Show an understanding of therapeutic intervention underpinned by trauma attachment, theory, and resilience.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Communicate, consult, liaise and negotiate with a broad range of at all levels to achieve broad project objectives and goals. This also includes openness for feedback.
Respect Cultural Diversity
Take action to provide services that are inclusive of Aboriginal people and engage in learning about other cultures to better establish relationships and improve services. Actively promote connection to culture and provide Families with pathways for healing.
Qualifications & Experience
• A recognized Diploma of Community Services Work, or similar qualification which is studied over a minimum of two academic years of full-time study (or part time equivalent) and includes: (a) a primary focus on child development, human behavior, family dynamics and/or impacts of trauma (b) supervised fieldwork placements (ideally completed within the child and family welfare sector) and at least one unit of study in case management, case work practice.
Commitment to Safety
All children have the right to be children and live free of abuse and neglect, so they can grow, learn, and develop. Everyone within Njernda is responsible for ensuring a culture of child safety, preventing child abuse, and abiding by the Child Safety Principles
Other Relevant Information
• The successful applicant will be required to undergo satisfactory pre-employment checks, including providing at least two professional referees, completion of a medical declaration, Police Records Check, Working with Children Check, Victorian Driver’s License, and proof of identify, must have a right to work in Australia and must pass an Employment History 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.
To be Eligible for an Interview the Applicant MUST address the Key Selection Criteria and include a recent resume.
Address your application marked: “Private & Confidential.”
To: HR Manager
Njernda Aboriginal Corporation
P.O. Box 210 Echuca Vic 3564
Email: jobs@njernda.com.au
All applications close: 5pm Friday January 12, 2024
Written applications should include a covering letter. Please include the names and telephone contacts of at least two referees.
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).
All applications close: 12th Jan 2024