Organisational Values:

 The Placement and Support worker will embrace Njernda’s vision for empowering our Aboriginal community and the organisations values:

•       Respect

Establishing relationships based on respect and trust.

•       Resilience

Encouraging cultural and spiritual growth to enable personal growth.

•       Cultural Sensitivity

Welcoming and serving our community with understanding and without judgement.

•       Advocacy

Working to transform the disadvantaged and challenge the causes that impact on our community.

•       Accountability

Taking ownership and initiative of Njernda values to ensure trusted collaborations are formed.

Kinship care

The Kinship Care Program works in partnership with DFFH, Anglicare & Njernda Corporation Family Services to assist in the provision of safe, relevant, culturally sensitive, and appropriate Kinship care to all Aboriginal children requiring alternative care.

 

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide information, advice, recommendations to services providing Out of Home Care services to Aboriginal children to maintain connectedness to their culture, community, family, and country, as appropriate.
• Assist in the development of service improvements to increase capacity of Out of Home Care services to provide cultural safety for Aboriginal children in care.
• Assist organisations connect with significant Aboriginal cultural
• Educate and promote the importance of cultural support plans (CSP) for children placed in out of home care and provide advice on most appropriate way of fulfilling the child’s CSP.
• Participate in the development of a cultural plan for Aboriginal children in out of home
• Involve interested relevant parties in the development of cultural plans ensuring the building of relationships between the child, their family, and the caregiver.
• Participate in the coordination of transition of Aboriginal children to and from Out of Home Care
• In a timely manner ensure non-Aboriginal carers receive information on culturally appropriate caring, to ensure the child’s cultural values, beliefs and practices are respected and
• Develop and maintain positive engagement with appropriate services, including other Aboriginal services, family members and community networks.
• Maintain data and report to team leader on
• Make appropriate referrals/links with/for agencies to ensure the needs of Aboriginal children are
• Work with the Aboriginal community to support community
• Assist in building the understanding and knowledge of mainstream caregivers to understand caring for Aboriginal children cultural needs and lifestyle.
• Source and provide information/stories about a particular child’s tribe/clan
• Work cooperatively to develop local community events e.g., family days, NAIDOC week, cultural events etc.
• Participate in ongoing training and
• Always ensure the confidentiality of client

 

Key Selection Criteria:

Applicants must possess:

• Knowledge of Kinship connections and how the dynamics of the family linkages connect within the local Aboriginal community.
• Well developed interpersonal and communication skills including proven experience to engage Aboriginal children, young people, Elders, and family in a collaborative planning process
• Demonstrated understanding of the issues that Aboriginal families, children and young people face in the Child Protection system including an understanding of the Aboriginal Child Placement
• The ability to work as part of a team and a strong commitment to collaborative working relationships with internal and externals services.
• Well-developed verbal and written communication skills and the ability to communicate with Aboriginal families in a culturally sensitive manner including experience in effective negotiation and advocacy for families, children, and young people.
• Proven knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal people and Aboriginal Culture
• Knowledge of child and adolescent development and strategies for working with families, young people, and children.
• Well developed skills and knowledge in utilising computers and software programs such as
• Demonstrated ability to successfully work as part of a team and the capacity to work flexible hours according to work demands.
• Good organisational skills including the ability to prioritise deadlines, collate and record data, and maintain records.

 

Other relevant information

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

 

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

Written applications should include a covering letter. Please include the names and telephone contacts of at least two referees and forward to:

Address your application marked: “Private & Confidential”

 To:                  HR Manager

Njernda Aboriginal Corporation 84 Hare, Echuca Vic 3564

PO Box 201, Echuca Vic 3564

Email              jobs@njernda.com.au

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: 11th Aug 2023