Organisational Purpose

Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Service (BWAHS) is the lead specialist Aboriginal Specific family violence agency, servicing the Eastern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne.

BWAHS was established in 2006 following the recommendations of the Victorian Eastern Family Violence Strategy Taskforce Report (2003) and transitioned to being an independent Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation in 2019.

BWAHS provides a range of services and programs to Aboriginal individuals and families who have either current or historical experiences of family violence.

Role Purpose

Full Time - Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants preferred.

As the Family Practitioner, you will provide a whole-of-family response where there are young people causing harm through their use of violence in the home.

You will be responsible for undertaking individual and family risk assessments, providing culturally appropriate and trauma informed therapeutic case management, incidental counselling responses and structured family sessions. In addition, as the Family Practitioner you will also provide necessary advocacy to enable Aboriginal young people and their families to engage with local services and supports.

Your therapeutic interventions and advocacy will be carried out at a combination of locations including onsite at BWAHS Bayswater / Lilydale offices, in educational and community settings, and where safe, on occasion at community member’s homes.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Service Delivery - Role Specific:

• Complete comprehensive psychosocial, risk and needs assessments with families, and develop intervention plans that to respond to referral behaviours and other identified needs.
• Identify and implement support and advice to young people and their families using a range of approaches, including family therapy, coaching, psychoeducation and service referrals to build the family’s capacity.
• Provide case management support using an assertive outreach model to young people and their families.
• Attend client meetings, team meetings, workshops and conferences as and when required.
• Fulfill program requirements including case recording, data collection, model fidelity and dissemination and any other requirements as needed.
• Professionally represent BWAHS and the organisations services at forums, meetings and training with external agencies.
• Carry a case load as assigned.

Therapeutic Group Support:

• Work with the Programs Coordinator to support the engagement of this cohort of young people to participate in cultural programs.
• Develop and deliver culturally safe therapeutic group content for this cohort of young people.
• Support the facilitation of groups as required.

Engagement of Key Stakeholders:

• Work with relevant stakeholders (internal and external) to continuously improve the implementation of the BWAHS service delivery model.

Culturally Informed Practice:

• Contribute to a culturally informed practice.
• Contribute to a positive and culturally safe workplace.

Manage Risk:

• Ensure that ongoing risk assessment and safety planning is undertaken with the parent or carer, to enhance their safety and that of other children living in the family home.
• Understand and implement child safety standards in the delivery of care.

Training and Professional Development / Capability Development:

• A willingness to undertake ongoing professional development and participate in supervision, reflective practice and case consultation meetings.
• Participate in other training and development opportunities to ensure all necessary qualifications, skills, certificates and clearances are obtained to meet the position requirements.
• Contribute to the development of continuous improvement and initiative strategies.

Administration:

• Fulfil program requirements regarding case recording, data collection, model fidelity and dissemination and any other requirements.
• Maintain appropriate and accurate case notes, records, reports and data-input, in line with the service area and function/position requirements.

Policies, Procedures and Systems:

• Comply with all organisational policies and procedures.
• Proactively communicate, identify, report, assess WHS related risks and hazards.
• Ensure familiarity and compliance with all governance, policies and procedures.
• Adhere to all legislation, program requirements and relevant procedures relating to service provision.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

• Tertiary qualifications in Social Work or other related fields; post-graduate study in family therapy, psychology or counselling desirable.
• Understanding of the historical and contemporary issues that impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities.
• An understanding of trauma-informed family violence case management including risk and needs assessments.
• Demonstrated practical experience in working with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities.
• Experience in collaborating with young people and families to develop intervention goals and plans focused on building protective factors and reducing identified risks.
• Experience in developing and maintaining family violence and referral services networks.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders from all backgrounds and levels, including with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of relevant Acts and Standards, ethical principles and legislation governing professional practice.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Sound judgement and decision-making ability, ability to work autonomously and flexibly in a changing environment.
• Understanding of current legislation e.g. Child safe standards, Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 and The Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 and the application of these to the practice requirements of this position.
• Relevant experience of the collection and collation of data in order to demonstrate outcomes for children, young people and families.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

It is a condition of employment that BWAHS be provided with the following:

• Current Victorian Driver’s License
• Current Working with Children’s Check
• Undertake National Police Check

Please contact Georgia Hooper at [email protected] using the subject line: Family Practitioner - Adolescent Family Violence in the Home Program enquiry via EthicalJobs for further information or a copy of the position description.