Organisational Values:

 

• CULTURAL SENSISTIVITY–Welcoming and serving our community with understanding and without judgment
• RESPECT–Establishing relationships based on respect and trust
• ADVOCACY–Working to transform the disadvantaged and challenge the causes that impact on our community
• RESILIENCE– Encouraging cultural and spiritual growth to enable personal growth
• ACCOUNTABILITY–Taking ownership and initiative of Njernda values to ensure trusted collaborations are formed

About our Foster Care Program

The Foster Care Program works in partnership with DFFH and other key stakeholders to assist in the provision of safe, relevant, culturally sensitive and appropriate care to all Aboriginal in home based care.

 

Key Responsibilities

 

Primary Responsibilities

The primary role of the Foster Care Case Worker is to provide supports to children placed in statutory home based care placements that are contracted to Njernda Aboriginal Corporation and ensure their ongoing safety, stability and developmental needs are met.

Within this role the Foster Care Case Worker will complete all day-to-day case management tasks and reporting requirements including completing any agency court reports, quarterly reports, reports to DFFH, cultural plans and other tasks as per contract agreements.

 

Case Management

• Providing placement support and case management for children/young people within the home based care system and their caregivers and families through regular phone calls, home visits, care team meetings and meetings for the scope of the role.
• Undertaking comprehensive risk assessments in relation to the children and young people and their environments in order to prioritise child safety.
• Supporting the Foster Care Recruitment and Assessment worker to build the capacity of the foster carers to better understand and respond to the needs of the children and young people in their care, promoting their safety, stability and development through the provision of targeted family support and services.
• Engaging children and young people through providing practical support, in line with the Looking After Children Framework, that enhances their wellbeing and development.
• Liaising with the child/young person, family, caregiver family, and key internal and external stakeholders including DFFH to provide consultation, advice, support, supervision, direction and manage the child’s placement to maintain a quality service.
• Identifying, negotiating and coordinating the delivery of services to meet the child’s needs, including respite services as appropriate.
• Facilitating contact with the child/young person’s family/extended family/community and to support reunification of children with their families wherever possible.
• Assessing newly established carers placements to identify support needs for the carer and the young person to ensure ongoing placement stability. Working closely with carers to provide support and supervision and to resolve any issues impacting on the carer’s capacity to meet the child’s ongoing safety, stability, and developmental needs.
• Undertaking longer term contracted case management for Out of Home Care placements (where required) including completion of permanent care assessments.
• Empower Aboriginal families and communities to make positive, informed choices and decisions for improved and constructive life outcomes of children and young people.
• Provide relevant information and support to children and young people, their families and other professionals and services.
• Participate in the development of Cultural Support Plans, connection plans and family finding using a strength based and holistic approach to support a young person’s connection to culture, family, community and culture. Ensure the implementation and reviews of cultural plans in ongoing care.
• Development of up-to-date community resources available to assist foster carers, extended family members, stakeholders and the community in order to provide the best possible care and support for children growing up in foster families
• Establishing, maintaining, and working within a collaborative care team approach with relevant internal and external stakeholders, including Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) – Child Protection, Department Justice and Community Safety Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Services, other peak bodies, and a range of Allied Health Professionals. To achieve the best outcomes for Aboriginal children and young people and to promote integration of the service in the community and to enable to the development of best practice in the field.

 

Administration and Compliance      

• Maintaining accurate and up to date file notes and provide other reports in relation to support and placements where necessary, such as agency court reports, quarterly reports, accreditation records, and Looking After Children documents (Assessment and progress record, 15+ Care and Transition plan) and ensure compliance for all care types are adhered to.
• Ensuring that all Occupational, health and safety risks are identified immediately with your line manager
• Ensuring that you participate and attend all scheduled supervision appointments
• Ensure that you participate in team meetings, staff meetings and other community activities as requested
• Ensure that you adhere to legislative requirements.
• Participate within the team to ensure performance against expectations including performance management and staff development, in accordance with NAC’s policies and procedures.
• Ensure that all staff are provided with and operate in a safe environment in accordance with NAC’S O H & S policies and procedures.
• Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities

 

 

Key selection criteria

 

• Demonstrated ability to successfully provide case management services using a solution focussed and strength-based approach.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community including issues that have an impact on the safety and well-being of Aboriginal children and young people, including intergenerational trauma.
• An understanding of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005, DFFH policies and procedures regarding Aboriginal policies, leaving care, case planning including related framework such as “SAFER” and “Looking after Children”.
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to work closely with Child Protection, as well as internal and other external stakeholders.
• Good organisational skills including ability to prioritise and work to deadlines.
• An understanding of client focussed and child centred approaches including practices in gathering and advocating for a child’s voice.
• Demonstrated knowledge of trauma, child development and attachment theories
• Well-developed verbal and written communication skills including experience in effective problem solving, dispute resolution and advocacy for clients, report writing, case notes, incident reports and the use of a range of electronic data systems.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully work as part of a team and the capacity to work flexible hours according to work demands.

 

Preferred/Desired Education, Training and/or Competencies

• Formal Qualification in Community Services discipline or equivalent

 

Other relevant information

• Appointment is subject to a satisfactory Police check & Working with Children 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.

 

• Written applications should include:
  • a covering letter
  • resumes and must
  • address the selection criteria otherwise interview will not be given
  • Please include the names and telephone contacts of at least two referees and forward to:

 

All applicants must address the Key Selection Criteria and include a recent resume

 

Address your application marked: “Private & Confidential”

To:                  HR Manager

Njernda Aboriginal Corporation

307 High St, Echuca Vic 3564

PO Box 201, Echuca Vic 3564

Email              jobs@njernda.com.au

 

All applications close: January 12, 2024

 

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).

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