Job Description

This position is responsible for supporting the development, endorsement, implementation, and
review of cultural plans for vulnerable Aboriginal children and young people living in out-of-home care. The role will support the development of cultural plans by care teams, assessing and providing support where needed, and recommend cultural plans are endorsed. This includes reviewing cultural plans and working with care teams to ensure they are of a suitable standard and address the cultural needs of vulnerable Aboriginal children and young people. The Senior Advisor works collaboratively as a senior practitioner with the Chief Executive Officer and senior managers to provide effective service delivery and support to child protection and other agencies.

The position will also support child protection practitioners and contracted case managers in the implementation of contemporary methods, systems and approaches to enhance the capacity of care teams to better respond to Aboriginal children and young people. The Senior Advisor will have a lead role with local child protection and mainstream agencies to increase the awareness of, and participation in Aboriginal cultural activities by Aboriginal children and young people. This will include contributing to the development, implementation and maintenance of the cultural information portal.

Responsibilities:

• Provide, promote, and model effective, culturally safe, trauma-informed and client-centred practices and communications across all interactions and service delivery, adhering to RDAC’s Code of Conduct and Values.
• Work collaboratively as part of a broader team and actively contribute to a safe, supportive environment that promotes critical reflection and continuous learning.
• Provide quality, timely and effective specialist knowledge to care teams, including complex matters, in developing and reviewing cultural plans. Assist care teams to ensure cultural plans meet the cultural needs of vulnerable Aboriginal children and young people, as well as reflecting the best interests principles as the primary consideration for all child protection planning.
• Collaborate with care teams to ensure Aboriginal input into all cultural plans; and ensure care teams undertake reasonable steps to identify, gather information, and explore vulnerable Aboriginal children and young people’s Aboriginal heritage and family. When necessary work with and Aboriginal children and their families to obtain information and develop plans.
• Prepare documentation, present information and make recommendations to the Chief Executive Officer or appropriate senior staff member on cultural plans, ensuring decisions and actions are in the best interests of the child.
• Provide information to children, families, carers and service providers on procedures, practices, and guidelines and provide advice and case consultation on the Aboriginal cultural needs of Aboriginal children and young people, including services available to help meet needs.
• Actively contribute as a collaborative team member in the ongoing development and review of cultural plans, related to strengthening Aboriginal children and young people’s connection to their Aboriginal community and culture.
• Monitor, analyse and review cultural plans; assess the effectiveness of the plan provided to Aboriginal children and young people and provide well-developed recommendations on future actions required to support the maintenance and strengthening of Aboriginal children and young people’s connection to their Aboriginal community and culture.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships, ongoing communication and successful negotiations with Child Protection and key stakeholders.
• Comply with RDAC policies, service delivery frameworks, and relevant legislative and regulatory standards including Child Safe Standards, mandatory reporting requirements, Social Services Regulations, CIMS, CISS, FVISS and MARAM, and the Child, Youth and Families Act 2005.
• Participate in regular supervision with direct line leadership, external supervision, reflective practice and ongoing professional development opportunities.

Qualifications:

• Qualification in Social Work, Community Services or related discipline with demonstrated
  experience in child & family services, child protection or related fields.
• Other qualifications and experience may be considered based on relevance to the
  position.
• Minimum of 3 years' experience working with Aboriginal communities in a cultural advisory role.
• Strong understanding of Aboriginal culture, history, and contemporary issues.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Current Working with Children's
• Satisfactory Criminal History Check
• Satisfactory drug & alcohol testing screening.