This is an Aboriginal Designated Position, classified under 'special measures' of section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply.

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.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Therapeutic Group Facilitator role is responsible for facilitating a range of group programs delivered to Aboriginal women, and children aged 5 to 17 who are impacted by or have experienced family violence. The role provides a range of educational and healing programs to women and children who are impacted by family violence with a focus on promoting safety through respectful relationships and cultural connection.

The therapeutic group facilitator will be responsible for working in collaboration with external partners and the women and children’s services team within BWAHS, to develop and implement a range of programs for clients and other stakeholders. Group programs are offered to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their families to improve safety by supporting families to stabilise their lives and strengthen connection to Aboriginal culture, Community and family networks.

The Therapeutic Group Facilitator will maintain effective networks with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCO’s) and other family violence agencies to facilitate the healing journey for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, children and young people in the Eastern Metropolitan Region (EMR).

The Therapeutic Group Facilitator will consult with BWAHS staff and make referrals where required to the appropriate services to ensure safety and to meet the diverse needs of Community members.

This position has a flexible work arrangement to deliver programs as they may be delivered outside of standard operating hours and/or weekends.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Program Development

• Undertake intake, assessment and referral processes for cultural healing groups and primary prevention programs, including women’s healing camps.

• Work collaboratively with BWAHS staff and Community members to develop and plan culturally appropriate therapeutic programs for Aboriginal Community members impacted by family violence.
• Conduct evaluations of all group programs to ensure ongoing quality program development.
• Provide a detailed activity work plan and program calendar biannually.

Program Implementation

• Coordinate programs and services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their families who are impacted by family violence.
• Deliver quality programs for women, children and young people that deliver to a range of identified needs.

Engagement of Key Stakeholders

• Build partnerships with other relevant service providers to ensure increased access to programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, children and young people.
• Engage and consult with cultural leaders and family violence experts in developing and delivering an Aboriginal cultural healing program.
• Represent BWAHS at appropriate forums, meetings and Community gatherings as required.

Culturally Informed Practice

• Respect and contribute to ongoing alignment with culturally informed practice.
• Contribute to a positive and culturally safe workplace.

Inclusive and Trauma Informed Practice

• Provide informed and safe support to Aboriginal and Torre Strait Islander people and their families who identify as LGBTQIA+ and have been affected by family violence.
• Contribute to a positive and safe workplace for people who identify as LBGTQIA+.
• Provide informed and safe support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their families who are living with a disability and have been affected by family violence.

Risk Management

• Provide assessments including risk assessments for clients and family groups and proactively respond as per the child safe requirements and BWAHS policies and procedures to implement a risk management plan for the children and families.
• Provide risk assessments for all programs conducted.

Training and Professional Development / Capability Development

• Participate in regular supervision as negotiated with the Therapeutic Coordinator.
• Seek and access relevant professional development opportunities to build and maintain professional skills in consultation with the Therapeutic Coordinator.

Administration

• Maintain records including case notes, funding reports, program plans and relevant data collection to meet BWAHS contractual funding obligations.

• Ensure that client records are kept in accordance with BWAHS confidentiality, quality and audit requirements.

The employee will be expected to perform other duties outside of those set out in the Position Description as directed from time to time, which will fall within the employee’s skill, qualification, experience and competence level in order to meet the organisation’s operational needs.

This Position Description may be amended from time to time at the organisation’s discretion. Where there is inconsistency between KPI’s in this Position Description and those within the Organisation Objectives, the Organisation Objectives will stand.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

• An understanding of Aboriginal culture and the history of intergenerational trauma.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in community services, social work, psychology, family therapy, art therapy or a related discipline along with demonstrated experience facilitating and coordinating programs and group activities, cultural groups or therapeutic groups.
• Experience in working within the family violence sector or related areas.
• Theoretical understanding of the issues underpinning family violence, particularly as it relates to the cultural context of women, children and young people within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community.
• Familiarity with a range of appropriate responses for supporting families, increasing safety and promoting healthy relationships that are free from violence.
• Demonstrated experience in project management, working to a budget and the facilitation of group programs.
• Ability to engage with internal and external stakeholders to provide and facilitate services and programs for women, children and young people who are impacted by family violence.
• Knowledge of relevant support services in the Eastern Metropolitan Region.
• Understanding of State and Regional Aboriginal family violence strategies and frameworks.
• Basic computer skills including Outlook, Word and data reporting applications such as IRIS.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a small team.
• Willingness to embrace opportunities for professional development where appropriate.

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: Therapeutic Group Program Facilitator - Women, Children and Youth (Identified Position) enquiry via EthicalJobs for further information or a copy of the position description.