• Permanent Part Time

*Life Without Barriers considers that being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent is a genuine occupational requirement as outlined in section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act (1991) and permitted as a 'special measure' under section 8 of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) and by articles 1(4) and 2(2) of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. 

Please note: To be considered for and appointed to a position at Life Without Barriers, you must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or hold a valid medical exemption certificate.  You will be required to provide evidence of your vaccination status during the recruitment process.

About the Organisation

Every day, Life Without Barriers provides support and care to children and young people, as we work collaboratively with families, carers, and communities, to ensure they have the environment they deserve to grow. With a focus on ensuring safety and respect, this is an opportunity to make a positive and meaningful difference in these young lives and help pave a brighter future.

Life Without Barriers is a leading social purpose organisation of 8,000 employees working in more than 500 communities across Australia. We support children, young people and families, people with disability, older people, and people with mental illness. We work with people who are homeless and refugees and asylum seekers. Join a community of people dedicated to breaking down barriers.

We want to employ people who reflect the diversity of our clients to ensure we can support each client's individual needs and wants. We encourage people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background and people with disability to apply.

About the role

The purpose of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Cultural Support Planner is to develop cultural support plans for Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Island children and young people in Out of Home Care and establish and maintain relationships between Life Without Barriers and local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities.  

Develop and maintain relationships with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and to identify and explore alternative sources of information to fulfil the individual cultural heritage components of the cultural support plan, while working with children or young people, family, Life Without Barriers case managers and relevant government agency staff.

This position is being offered as permanent part-time, working five days per fortnight. Days of work can be negotiated with the successful applicant. This role is based at our office in Cairns.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop cultural support plans for children and young people in out-of-home care, in partnership with children and young people, and a multidisciplinary team.
• Work with the other relevant stakeholders to ensure that the C&YP identified goals within their cultural support plan are implemented.
• Ensure that any risk with implementing or delivering goals are communicated with appropriate manager.
• Proactively work to ensure that LWB achieve 100% compliance with cultural support plans.
• If required, develop, deliver, and support Cultural Awareness programs, activities, and other training
• Support and promote engagement with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities and community groups.
• Develop, promote, and maintain linkages with state-wide and national specialist and peak Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander bodies.

Skills & Experience

• Demonstrated ability to work with individuals, families, and communities from a strength-based, culturally appropriate perspective.
• Demonstrated experience in managing competing priorities and to deliver high quality outcomes within agreed timeframes.
• Extensive knowledge of issues impacting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities in contemporary society and a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Working knowledge of relevant legislative and regulatory environment for areas of business responsibility.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders including peers, employees, external organisations, funding bodies and government agencies.

Essential Criteria

• Must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander decent.
• Relevant tertiary qualification in Social Science, Community Development, Social Work, or related discipline, and/or demonstrated knowledge and experience working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities.
• Strong verbal communication skills and presentation ability.
• Proficient ability in the use of the Microsoft Office suite of programs.
• Have demonstrated ability to manage work and meet competing demands and deadlines
• Current Drivers Licence.

Successful candidates will be required to clear probity checks including National Criminal History Record Check and Working with Children Check (where relevant to the role).

Benefits

• Attractive remuneration including salary packaging
• Work for one of Australia's largest social purpose organisations
• Fantastic career opportunities

How to Apply

Include your resume and covering letter in one document, click ‘Apply Now’ and follow the prompts. For any enquiries including persons with disability that require adjustments, contact [email protected] using the subject line: Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Support Planner - Cairns enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as applications are continuously reviewed prior to the closing date; and as such the closing date is subject to change without notice.

Life Without Barriers supports the Royal Commission into violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation of people with disability. We believe people with disability need to be heard and for these experiences to influence how support services like ours are delivered. View our statement (https://bit.ly/2GzZGWA)