The Aboriginal Child Specialist Advice and Support Service (ACSASS) Case Worker provides expert advice and case consultation to Child Protection about culturally appropriate intervention in respect of all reports regarding the abuse or neglect of Aboriginal children and regarding significant decisions in all phases of Culturally appropriate child protection intervention. In accordance with the best interests’ principles and decision-making principles in the case of an Aboriginal child, you will provide consultation to Child Protection in relation to all best interests planning decision making and meetings, including the protective plan and review meetings, particularly where this relates to involving relevant members of the child’s Aboriginal community.

• Base/Location: Njernda Family Services, 103 Hare Street, Echuca.
• Reports To: Family Services Manager.
• Hours: Full Time -12 Month Contract.
• Award: SCHADS 2010 Schedule B- Level 4 PP1.

Organisational Values

Respect

Establishing relationships based on respect and trust.

Accountability

Taking ownership and initiative of Njernda values to ensure trusted collaborations are formed.

Resilience

Encouraging cultural and spiritual growth to enable personal growth.

Advocacy

Working to transform the disadvantage and challenge that causes impact on our community.

Cultural Sensitivity

Welcoming and serving our community with understanding and without judgement.

Key Selection Criteria

• Sound Knowledge of local issues and needs of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and the issues that Aboriginal families are facing today.
• Sound understanding of the issues that Aboriginal families are facing today.
• Ability to communicate effectively with Aboriginal people.
• Ability in convening and mediating outcomes with groups
• A sound understanding of child and adolescent development, intervention techniques and strategies related to the protection of children and young people from abuse and neglect.
• Well-developed interpersonal communication skills.
• Capacity to engage Aboriginal children and their families in collaborative planning processes.
• Demonstrated knowledge of requirements in relation to policies, legislation, program, and practices in relation to child welfare.
• Demonstrated capacity to work within social welfare programs.
• Ability to develop, plan, implement. Manage and evaluate a program.
• Experience in preparing written reports including reports with statistical data collected from service delivery reporting and recording accurate case notes.
• With strengths-based approach, solve problems based on operational knowledge and experience, sourcing useful information, looking for underlying reasons and suggesting alternative actions for clients and staff.
• Take action to provide services that are inclusive of Aboriginal people and engage in learning about other cultures to better establish relationships and improve services.
• Ability to work flexible hours and current Victorian Drivers Licenses.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the intake of Child Protection referrals between Bendigo and District Aboriginal Corporation and Njernda Aboriginal Corporation.
• Provide consultation to Child Protection on all significant decisions and actions concerning Aboriginal children and young people, ensuring a culturally informed and effective response to the protection of Aboriginal children from harm.
• Provide an Aboriginal perspective on risk assessment and safety assessments for Aboriginal children and young people.
• Participate in the planning of an investigation including the first visit with Child Protection.
• Attend joint visits with Child Protection to investigate protective concerns, where there are no family objections.
• Assist children, young people, and families to better understand the reasons for Child Protection’s involvement and the investigation processes.
• Provide information and advice to Child Protection on the child’s family and community, suitable local support services and community networks for the purpose of referral.
• Assist Child Protection to identify and involve the child’s extended family and community members in decision making and best interests planning.
• Where appropriate and agreed to by the child and family, participate in best interests planning meetings, including those held as Aboriginal Family Decision Making meetings.
• Provide advice to Child Protection on deciding to place an Aboriginal child in out-of-home care and, where a decision has been made to place the child in out-of-home care, ACSASS will provide advice to Child Protection on placement options regarding the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle.
• Provide advice and, where appropriate, direct involvement in the assessment and investigation of quality-of-care concerns relating to Aboriginal children.
• Assist Child Protection in Cultural Support planning for Aboriginal children in out-of-home care.
• Provide advice to Child Protection on reports concerning unborn children (where the mother is Aboriginal, or the family is known to be Aboriginal).
• Provide advice to Child Protection on irreconcilable differences applications concerning Aboriginal children.
• Provide advice to Child Protection and, where appropriate, direct involvement in the investigation of Therapeutic Treatment Reports concerning Aboriginal children.
• Provide advice to Child Protection on the interstate movement of Aboriginal children subject to protection orders under the Transfer of Child Protection Orders and Proceedings.

Administration and Compliance

• Ensure that you report any risks identified immediately to the Family Services Manager.
• Ensure that your reports are given to the Family Services Manager including relevant statistical data and reporting targets.
• Ensure data and required reporting to funding bodies is exported in a timely manner, with a report to management upon completion.
• Support the collation and documentation requirements for Accreditations.
• Attend and participate in all relevant meetings as required.
• Maintain Program compliance Register and Records.
• Participate in Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.
• Ensure that you adhere and comply with legislative requirements.
• Ensure that your client records are maintained with all relevant up to date information including client case notes and plan reviews, and regular scheduled file audits occur in your program area with report submitted to Family Services Manager.

Preferred/Desired Education, Training and/or Competencies.

• Preferred minimum relevant Degree in Social Work or Diploma of Welfare/ Community Services.
• Experience working in the community services sector.

Commitment to Safety

All children have the right to be children and live free of abuse and neglect, so they can grow, learn, and develop. Everyone within Njernda is responsible for ensuring a culture of child safety, preventing child abuse, and abiding by the Child Safety Principles

Other Relevant Information

• Must pass & provide copy of Criminal Police Record Check.
• Must pass & provide copy of Working with Children’s Check.
• Must hold current Victorian Drivers License and provide a copy Commitment to equal opportunity and occupational health and safety principles and practices are required.
• You will need to disclose any pre-existing illness or injury you know about which could be affected by the described work duties. Under section 82 (7) of the Accident Compensation Act, failure to disclose such a pre-existing illness or injury will mean that, if employed, you will not be paid compensation for that condition.

Please Note: This is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander designated position, classified under Section 12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. This employment opportunity is only available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.