Organisational Purpose

Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Service (BWAHS) is the lead specialist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 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 and Torres Strait Islander individuals and families who have either current or historical experiences of family violence.

POSITION SUMMARY

The role of the IFS Coordinator is to lead the IFS team, exercises managerial responsibility within the IFS Team, and delivers family-focused services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their families impacted by family violence. The IFS Coordinator provides strategic direction, supervision and identifies opportunities to develop the IFS program, team and relationships to ensure exceptional service delivery to families affected by family violence living in the Eastern Region.

The role of the Integrated Family Services (IFS) Coordinator is to promote healthy family functioning, including safety from violence, overall safety, stability and the development of Aboriginal children, young people and their families. The coordinator leads their team in working collaboratively with Aboriginal families and communities to build child, family and community capacity, and resilience through strong case management and effective management across case coordination. Assessments and planning are undertaken using the Best Interests’ Framework and Family Violence Risk Assessment Framework.

KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS

Service Delivery

• Provide advice and strategic direction to the Women’s and Children’s FV Services Practitioners in relation to the program's operational functioning.
• Contribute to IFS Service improvement through the development, implementation and review of program operations, processes and procedures.
• Develop and review IFS procedures in accordance with relevant legislation.
• Ensure the BWAHS’ client experience is positive and effective.
• Manage complaints or grievances in line with BWAHS policies and procedures.
• Implement risk management strategies and ensure they are assessed and reviewed quarterly.

Funding and Service Agreement Coordination

• Ensure IFS Services operate within existing legislative, funding and service agreements, and ensure completion of all relevant reporting requirements.
• Manage financial resources including brokerage, within a delegation, with support from the Women’s and Children’s Family Violence Services Leader.
• Maintain BWAHS electronic client data and ensure reports meet contractual obligations.

Practice Leadership

• Conduct regular supervision with all members of the IFS team.
• Support the team with intake and assessment requirements and offer expertise in complex case consultations.
• Model informed leadership and understanding of sector legislation, organisational policy and procedure, and the application of theoretical practice to achieve the best outcomes for children and families.
• Provide practice and organisational leadership at a high level and model inclusive and culturally safe practices and relationships.

Case Planning, Review and Management

• Provide case management to a small caseload.
• Coordinate and lead the planning, review and management of casework within the IFS team.
• Support the IFS team to holistically assess and case manage Aboriginal parents and their families affected by family violence.

Manage Risks

• Provide an escalation point for high-risk cases and assist in the development and implementation of risk management plans for these cases.

Leadership

• Work with practitioners to develop individual training and professional development plans.
• Provide a point of contact for reflective practice and case escalation in regard to case work practices.
• Provide ongoing practice support and mentoring to all practitioners.
• Understand trends and funding priorities in the family violence sector and assist in the development of innovative responses to those needs.
• Work collaboratively with the Board and Senior Management in BWAHS’ strategic planning process and organisational action planning.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with all organisation policies, procedures, staff handbook and BWAHS code of conduct.
• Proactively communicate, identify, report and assess WHS related risks and hazards.

Culturally Informed Practice

• Understand and communicate the application of culturally informed, child-focused practice to the IFS team and support its implementation in case planning and service delivery.
• Contribute to a positive and culturally safe workspace.

Training and Professional Development/Capability Development

• Provide leadership and coaching to the team to ensure consistent and quality service delivery.
• Plan and deliver the onboarding and induction of new workers in the IFS team and participate where required in the onboarding of new staff from other program areas.
• Identify professional development opportunities for the IFS team and personally participate in professional development opportunities as identified in line with the BWAHS’ Professional Development Policy.

Key Stakeholders Engagement

• Successfully engage with the organisations key stakeholders in relation to the case management needs of clients and creating networking opportunities for the IFS team.
• Facilitate and support case managers to deliver Risk Management Meetings with men’s family violence team and external agencies.

Administration & Data Collection

• Assist staff with data input activities and provide progress and client status reports to the Women’s and Children’s Services Leader.
• Ensure data recording for oneself is accurately imputed into the appropriate systems in a timely manner.
• Ensure all client records are in accordance with BWAHS quality/audit requirements.

Key Performance Indicators

• Provide leadership and role modelling of an inclusive and positive organisational culture.
• Lead and advocate for Aboriginal women and their families, to inform the development of comprehensive case plans.
• Provide supervision, coaching and reflective practice experiences for the IFS team.
• Follow compliance and data collection requirements for the team and provide data reports when required.
• Advocate for service delivery embedded in Aboriginal knowledge and understandings.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

• Tertiary qualification in Social Work, Social Sciences, Social Welfare Psychology or a relevant/related discipline.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in program leadership, including supervising and leading staff.
• Possess understanding of historical and contemporary issues impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities.
• Ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in accordance with community protocols and customs.
• Demonstrated understanding of the principles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community control and quality service delivery of specialist programs.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders from all backgrounds and levels.
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of relevant Acts and Standards, ethical principles and legislative requirements governing professional practice.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Sound judgement, decision-making ability, ability to work autonomously and flexibly in an ever-changing environment.
• Understanding of child safe standards and the Children, Youth and Families Acts, and their application in practice.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

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

NEXT STEPS

Please click Apply Now to submit your application.

Please contact Georgia Hooper at [email protected] using the subject line: Integrated Family Services (IFS) Coordinator enquiry via EthicalJobs for further information or a copy of the position description.