Organizational Values

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

A goal of the Njernda Aboriginal Corporation is to be a leader in the care and protection of children and young people and in working with families and communities to build capacity, resilience, and independence. Wala Yarka Team Leader will embrace Njernda’s vision for empowering our Aboriginal community and the organisations values.

 

The Responsibility And Role Of The Team Leader:

The Team Leader is responsible for the effective service delivery and management of a small team of practitioners in the new Wala Yarka program under Section 18 of the Children Youth and Families Act 2005 during the preauthorisation phase.
The Team Manager will be responsible for:

• -Endorsement and review of case plans and to bring about the changes necessary to ensure the safety, stability and development of children and young people and to promote the achievement of case plan objectives within specified timeframes.
• -Confidently prepare and represent child protection in the Children’s court – support the case managers to prepare court reports, initiates, prepares, and present in Children’s Court, or other tribunals.
• -Work collaboratively and with a solution focus with vulnerable families and children involved in Statutory Child Protection Program in their healing journey.
• -Interventions will be guided by the Best Interest Case Practice Model; taking inconsideration the need to protect the child from harm, protect their human rights, and will promote their development. Support families and children to build cultural connections in the community.
• -Provide professional, effective, and timely case management which will include conducting home visit and provide contact opportunities for children with their families. Contact may include the transporting the child
• -Involve families and child in case planning and decision making.
• -Utilise resources when working with families including the practice manual.
• -Prepare plans, letters, emails, and reports and write case notes using clear, concise and grammatically correct language. Ensure written communications contains necessary information to achieve their purpose
• -Support the child and families to access services by referring to other Njernda services or mainstream services to support a family to meet their goals.
  Manage competing demands able to negotiate and provide advocacy for children and their families.
• -Able to be flexible and work after hours
• -Participate in Supervision with a focus on professional development, accountability, and worker self-care.
• -Participate in training to develop practice.

 

Key Selection Criteria

• -An understanding the legislative framework of the Children’s Youth and families Act 2005 and the core principles of the Act.
• -Understands the risk factors that place a child art risk of abuse or neglect and can articulate risk verbally and written to a range of stakeholders including the parent, children, and other professionals.
• -Works confidently with Aboriginal child/ren and families to promote safety and culture. Understands child development stages within a child’s life, and attachment and trauma theories when assessing risk.
• -Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the issues relating to families who are involve either directly or indirectly with Child Protection.
  Experience in care and case planning able to set goals and tasks to address risks.
• -Practice guided by the Best Interest Practice Framework is child centred and family focussed, working towards solutions, understanding of the impact of trauma of a child’s development and supports healing for child/ren and families.
• -Skills and commitment to Supervision and performance management.
• -Good written and verbal skills able to write reports maintain records.
• -Flexible and able to work after hours.

 

Personal Qualities:

• -Ability to achieve results – takes initiative to proactively crating solutions and solving of problems
• -Decisiveness – Makes rational and sound decisions based on consideration and facts
• -Resilient – responds thoughtfully, seeks guidance, communicates effectively when working with children and families in crisis and who have experienced trauma.
• -Adaptable – willing to learn

 

Essential:

A recognised Social Work Degree or Diploma of Community Services qualification which includes:
(a) primary focus on child development, human behaviour, family dynamics and/or impacts of trauma; and
(b) preferably a practical component such as counselling or 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

Appointment is subject to a satisfactory National Police Records Check and Working with Children Check & Driver’s License check.  Commitment to equal opportunity and occupational health and safety principles and practices is 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. 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).

Address your application marked: “Private & Confidential” to:

Corporate Services Manager
Njernda Aboriginal Corporation
P.O. Box 21 Echuca Vic 3564
Email jobs@njernda.com.au

All applications close: 23rd Sep 2022