Katungul Aboriginal Corporation Community and Medical Services is a not for profit organisation providing culturally attuned, integrated health and community services on the Far South Coast of New South Wales. Katungul is managed by an elected Board of Directors.

The Koori Connections Officer provides a broad variety of culturally sensitive services to Katungul clients and community in order to improve community safety and wellbeing. The position involves internal and external referrals, outreach, casework, community liaison, community education, groups, and hosting activities and events.

This role works closely with the Manager Social Health Team, who mentors and develops the skills of Katungul community workers.

Specific Responsibilities

Individual Support Work

• The position primarily focuses on facilitating access to support including mainstream agency support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• Provide one-on-one support services to vulnerable Aboriginal people to improve safety and wellbeing. Service delivery may encompass: Information, advocacy, case work, drop-in assistance, outreach and home visiting, personal and practical assistance, referral
• Deliver support to clients using a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach
• With the Manager Social Health Team, learn how to work with clients in a structured way including undertaking client assessment, case planning, monitoring, exit planning and follow up
• For specialist matters beyond the scope of the role (eg child sexual assault), ensure the client is supported by other professional agencies (eg police and specialist counsellors)
• Provide referrals to other services and facilitate transition to alternative services when required
• Observe child protection legislation and mandatory reporting obligations in all work with clients
• Participate in interagency networks and committees to improve client outcomes

Community Education and Group Work

• Offer community education and group work to vulnerable Aboriginal community groups who are in need of support including children, the elderly, youth, people with depression, isolated people
• Conduct regular community research/needs assessments to inform service planning
• Plan and evaluate groups, activities, events and community education initiatives
• Propose project ideas and write small grant applications (with assistance from Manager Social Health Team)
• Develop and coordinate community education initiatives, events and activities to support the wellbeing and safety of Aboriginal people
• Promote the benefits of chronic disease prevention and Health Checks to clients and community
• The Koori Connections Officer must host or co-host 12 group activities – this can align to Deadly Choices

Accountability

• Koori Connections Officer to work with 82 individual clients per year, providing early intervention, liaison, casework and intensive case management, including a three month follow up phone/face to face contact
• Ensure that Aboriginal Koori Connections Officer targets and KPI’s are achieved in line with funding agreements
• Work with the Manager Social Health Team to address any anticipated or actual difficulty in achieving KPI’s
• Maintain relevant client records in line with our Case Management Framework
• Submit regular and accurate service data in accordance with policy and funding requirements
• Provide regular reports to the Director Community Services regarding community work statistics
• Participate in Branch Meeting, Stream Meetings and weekly Community Team Meetings
• Provide reports as required to the Manager Social Health Team, Director Community Services and CEO regarding community program statistics and any key issues or successes
• Complete monthly Board Report to Manager Social Health Team
• Assist the Manager Social Health Team, Director Community Services and CEO with funding submissions through the provision of advice and statistics on local needs, service performance and other community matters

Short Term Case Work and Advocacy

• Develop and maintain relationships with external government departments, community organisations and other agencies to improve client referrals to these agencies (for example employment agencies, family violence support, health services, legal services, child care and housing)
• With the Manager Social Health Team and Community Team, participate in client intake processes and needs assessments to identify client needs, develop plans to achieve outcomes, and allocate appropriate resources to meet client needs
• Provide individuals and families with culturally appropriate short term casework support using a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach
• Assist clients and community members to access internal and external support services to meet their social, health and lifestyle needs
• Commit to work with the Community Team, Katungul staff and external agencies to improve client outcomes through collaboration and shared care
• Commit to follow Katungul’s client confidentiality, privacy, record keeping and reporting/legislative requirements at all times
• Maintain a working understanding of child protection legislation and uphold this in all work with clients
• Assist with drop-in or emergency clients as required or as delegated by the Manager Social Health Team
• Facilitate improved outcomes by promoting Katungul’s preventative services to community members and clients (such as counselling, substance use support, and health promotion services)
• Commit to undertaking continued professional development in community service provision
• Perform other short term casework and advocacy duties as required and directed.

Community Development and Projects

• The Koori Connections Officer must deliver or co-deliver 12 Community activities that focus on promoting and engaging local Community members around social, emotional and wellbeing support. (6 each reporting period)
• Design and implement community programs based on local needs and emerging issues
• Participate in events and activities relevant to the wellbeing, lifestyles or issues of clients/community (e.g. Mental Health Days)
• Collaborate on interagency partnerships and projects as appropriate or delegated
• Commit to represent Katungul at interagency committees and meetings to improve organisational relationships and client outcomes
• With the Manager Social Health Team, participate in community research/needs assessments to improve planning and service development in the community team
• Actively promote, advocate for and facilitate regular Health Checks to Katungul clients and community members
• Perform other community development activities and projects as required
• Must demonstrate Community linkages and partnerships (dual casework)
• Attend all relevant Staff, Community and interagency meetings promoting the Koori Connections Program and linkages/referral pathways

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• This position may require travel and outreach work to Katungul’s various clinics as well as community settings
• This position may require work within Katungul’s medical clinics, where the worker is expected to follow Katungul’s WHS policies and NSW Health Infection Control Procedures
• This position may require work with vulnerable or at-risk clients. The worker is expected to follow Katungul’s WHS procedures at all times in order to ensure safety of staff and clients

Essential Criteria:

• Qualification at a Certificate IV level or higher in a field related to individual and/or group work (eg Community Development, Welfare, Aboriginal Studies, Casework, Project Management, Training & Development) or equivalent knowledge and experience.
• Two years experience providing one-on-one support to clients experiencing complex issues (eg abuse, violence, racism, substance abuse, disadvantage, homelessness, unemployment, grief).
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
• Experience working with Aboriginal communities.
• Excellent culturally appropriate verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to collect data and write reports and client notes.
• Current NSW unrestricted Driver License.
• This position requires that the worker possess a NSW unrestricted Driver Licence
• A current Working With Children Check and a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (Police Check) clearance
• Must be able to do a pre-employment medical as well as a drug and Alcohol screening test and random testing as per company policy

Katungul considers that being Aboriginal is a genuine occupational qualification for this position under s14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).

If you feel you meet the above criteria, please apply for an initial confidential discussion.