• Adelaide SA, Australia
• Full-time
• $90,000 – $99,000 per year

This full time position is based at the ALRM Adelaide Office. The successful applicant will work alongside with Family Law & Civil solicitors in providing a service in the Adelaide metropolitan area. We are looking for a social worker with experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. The role is to ensure provision of high quality, professional and culturally competent non-legal support addressing the social needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

Purpose

• Demonstrated experience with an ability to relate to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients with sensitivity and understanding.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the impact of the Child Protection and Family Law systems on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and their communities.
• Demonstrated capacity to provide and deliver a high quality and holistic service in the engagement of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander families and their communities.
• Making referrals for culturally appropriate interventions that build and strengthens families and the safety and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
• Demonstrated success in working as part of a team in the delivery of quality service.
• The ability to maintain good relationships with clients and working relationships with Aboriginal communities and other key stakeholders in order to achieve appropriate outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and their children.
• Ability to manage cases for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families involving Child Protection and Family law matters.

ALRM Core Objectives

The central object of the Movement is to assist Aboriginal persons (especially those Aboriginal persons who are detained in custody or imprisoned) to relieve their poverty, the consequences of their dispossession and social misfortune and to assist further in removing destitution and helplessness amongst Aboriginal people through the use of the legal system of the State of South Australia and the Commonwealth of Australia. (Please refer to ALRM Intranet for more core ALRM Objectives).

Key Responsibilities 

• To work as part of a team including legal practitioners, field officers and support staff to provide a high quality support service.
• Identify, collect information and observe clients and their situations in a manner which is respectful and culturally appropriate to assess and determine strategies that provide a suitable and just outcome.
• Provide support and assistance to clients when going the Federal Circuit and Family Court and Adelaide Youth Court.
• Support clients to connect with community based services which can address their needs and which can support them to make sustainable changes that provide a safe environment for them and their children.
• Ability to write reports relating to families concerning child protection issues.
• Interact and work effectively with internal and external stakeholders, particularly with Aboriginal communities and the Department for Child Protection. 
• Liaise with other Aboriginal organisations, communities and individuals.
• Responsible for daily record keeping and data entry in relation to Aboriginal Family Support Practitioner clients including case and file management. 
• Participate in Community Legal Education Activities. 

Essential Criteria

• Certificate in Community Service or equivalent qualification and/or community experience. 
• Persons of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, who have the appropriate background and skills. 
• Knowledge of and experience in working with clients who are litigants in the child protection and family law jurisdictions.
• Excellent problem solving skills.
• Must understand de-escalation in order to properly handle crisis or emergency situations.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to show empathy with clients. 
•  Ability to listen to clients without being judgmental. 

Desirable Criteria

• Demonstrated knowledge of Family Law and Child Protection systems. 
• Equal Opportunity, Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare standards.
• A sound understanding of the objectives of Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement Inc., its services and clients.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the diversity of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Organisation’s Core Values (Code of Ethics) and the Employee Conduct Policy.