Job Description

Family Participation Convenor

Full time Permanent

Based in Cairns

Salary: Wuchopperen Health Service Limited Enterprise Agreement (2023)

Social, Community, Homecare and Disability Employees and grade 4

$87,043.66- $93,655.19 per annum

Wuchopperen Health Service

‘A culturally dynamic community where everyone thrives in health and wellbeing’.

Wuchopperen is a Community Controlled Aboriginal Health Organisation providing holistic health care services to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Cairns.

Benefits of working with Wuchopperen:

We provide a positive work culture and a diverse and inclusive environment. Our people matter to us, and we are committed to supporting them:

• Competitive Salary + 12% Super + Salary Sacrifice (up to $15,899 for tax free benefits and $2,650 p/a for entertainment benefits).
• 5 weeks annual leave and 15 days personal leave pro rata.
• Commitment to professional development.
• EAP for employees and family members.

About the role:

The Family Participation Program (FPP) services are provided by Wuchopperen to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to participate in child protection decisions that affect them through Family Led Decision Making (FLDM) Meetings.

The Family Participation Convenor works with families who have children and young people under the age of 18 at risk of entering the Child Protection System through a child protection notification, or who are already subject to statutory child protection intervention. Working with families through the FLDM process supports them to build their capacity in leading their case plan decisions and process to address the child protection concerns for their family.

The Family Participation Convenor is supervised by the Coordinator of the Child Wellbeing team and the position has no supervisory responsibilities. This position works closely with other members of the Child, Youth, Family Services and maintains regular contact with other program staff to ensure effective outcomes for clients.

Key responsibilities:

• Knowledge of Child Protection legislation relevant to service delivery including supporting the primary principle that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have the right to self-determination, and the implementation of the five (5) elements of the Child Placement Principle. This includes understanding and actioning the role of the Independent Person as required.
• Use of strength-based approach in building culturally appropriate relationships and creating a culturally safe space when communicating and engaging with families referred to the program.
• Assist families with Genogram and community support mapping to identify key family and stakeholder support in assisting them to meet their family goals in line with the FLDM principles and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle.
• Prepare, coordinate, and Convene FLDM meetings and reviews with families inclusive of support services and other family members identified by the family.
• Maintain positive working relationships with service providers to enable best outcomes and ongoing support for clients during and after exiting the service, including working within agreed timeframes.
• Assist families to develop family plans, safety plans, and/or case plans based on their agreed goals as part of the FLDM meeting, ensuring all parties sign off and agree to the family plan, safety plan and/or case plan.
• Adhere to all reporting requirements and participate in organisational and community activities to advance the social, health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Work within Wuchopperen’s Policies and Procedures including the Staff Code of Conduct and the Work Health and Safety requirements and contribute to continuous improvement processes to ensure compliance with relevant standards and safe, effective service delivery.
• Other duties as required of the program within your skills, experience, and capacity.

Core Capabilities:

Assessment of merit for this role will be based on the knowledge, skills and experience, potential for development and personal qualities. The competencies listed below are considered to the most critical for success in this role.

For applicants to be successful in this role, they should demonstrate:

• Demonstrated ability and experience in case management with a focus on the development of family plans/case plans in line with Family Led Decision Making principles.
• Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies and cultures from an historical and contemporary perspective, including the ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Extensively developed interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to liaise with a range of stakeholders and effectively advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a multi-disciplinary team environment, prioritise and meet deadlines, deal with matters of a sensitive and confidential nature.
• Demonstrated ability to meet and work within the core values and behaviours of Wuchopperen

Qualifications and experience:

• It is a condition of employment in this role for the employee to be, and remain, vaccinated against measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), pertussis (whooping cough) and hepatitis B
• It is recommended for the employee to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
• Proof of relevant qualifications is required to be provided prior to the commencement of duty.
• The Family Participation Convenor is an Identified position. It is a genuine occupational requirement that an Identified position be filled by an Aboriginal person or Torres Strait Islander person, as permitted by and arguable under section 25, 104 and 105 of the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act (1991).
• It is a condition of employment that all employees are holders of a current and valid ‘blue card’ or Working with Children Check. This is at your cost. Employment cannot continue or commence if you do not have a ‘blue card’ or if your ‘blue card’ is withdrawn or is disqualified.
• Possession of a current CPR certificate or commitment to obtain within the first six weeks of employment is essential.
• Possession of a current Queensland “CA” class driver’s licence is essential.
• Commitment to work within the principles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community control sector including a willingness to develop the leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.
• Ability to use Microsoft products and the ability to use or willingness to gain proficiency in the relevant client information management systems.
• Consent to a broader criminal history check at Wuchopperen’s cost.

Requirements:

• Hold a current Blue Card (for suitability to work with children and young people).
• Proof of qualifications is required to be provided prior to the commencement of duty.
• Possess a current driver’s licence.
• A commitment to adhere to Wuchopperen’s policies and procedures.
• Successful applicant to consent to a broader Criminal history check

Applicants who do not address these requirements, will not be considered for shortlisting.

Note: Revised legislation requires applicants to hold a blue card prior to commencement. Refer to Qld Government’s Blue Card Services website for more information.

How to apply:

To be eligible for interview, applicants must submit a cover letter (no more than two pages), addressing the Core Capabilities and an up-to-date Resume including two referees and complete the screening questions provided from Employment Hero.

For more information contact Karen, Manager, Child Wellbeing on 07 4080 1014

The above is an Identified position. It is a genuine occupational requirement that an Identified position be filled by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, as permitted by and arguable under section 25, 104 and 105 of the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act (1991).

Wuchopperen is a Child Safe Organisation and the safety and wellbeing of children is of utmost importance.

Closing date for applications: 5pm on Monday 5th October 2026