Job Description

Your Contribution

The position of Wellbeing Worker is responsible for the provision of day-to-day early intervention, case management and practical support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families with a primary focus on the care and protection of vulnerable children and young people.

The position requires working from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander/strengths-based perspective to support vulnerable and at-risk families to strengthen their capability, parenting skills, and resilience to prevent problems from developing or escalating to crisis point in order to avoid entry into the statutory system or when exiting from the statutory system.

Support includes building on parenting knowledge; information and support for healthy child development and wellbeing, access and participation in education; skills development; building connection to community networks, access to relevant services. Support is delivered through a case management model underpinned by the Family Wellbeing Service Workplace Practice Procedures and Family Wellbeing contractual agreement standards.

Outcomes for families include:

• Children and young people are reunified or remain with family and community
• Families improve their capacity to meet their children’s care, protection and development needs
• Families are supported to care for their children and young people
• Fewer children and young people out-of-home care
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families have access to support to strengthen their capacity to nurture and care for their children’s wellbeing
• Reduction of the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in the child protection system.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Provide a comprehensive and holistic assessment of family’s needs
• Monitor client needs, identify risks, develop a case plan, and monitor and review the case plan
• Build and support families capabilities and connections using a culturally holistic case management approach
• Complete ongoing assessment:
• Wellbeing Domains (initial subsequent and closing)
• Child profiles
• Advocate for the provision of appropriate services for the child and parents and support efficient referrals to salient services for children and their family
• Demonstrate effective predictive planning
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with clients and provide nurture and support for clients while assisting in the development of their skills and build capacity within the family
• Referrals completed and sent to internal and external services with consent provided and based on identified needs of the family
• Participate in all aspects of family support and case management practice as per the Human Services Quality Standards
• Liaise with the Line Supervisor in relation to all client related matters, including client needs, engagement, issues, observations, or concerns
• Reports submitted to Manager / Practice Lead / Coordinator in accordance with reporting schedules and directions
• Ensure secure management of all program files and compliance with applicable privacy legislation and policies
• Develop and document good working relationships and/or collaborative partnerships with relevant agencies
• Actively participate in scheduled Family Wellbeing community-based activities to provide brief interventions for information, advice and referral and promote and support family’s participation in evidence-based community programs

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Certificate IV or higher in Community Services or Human Services
• Relevant industry experience in a similar role
• Developed knowledge of child development and parenting skills models and theory, attachment theory and strengths-based service delivery
• Ability to operate within a case management model with strong capabilities around building relationships with and motivating vulnerable people, assessing needs and advocating for the client
• Proven understanding of the historical, social, cultural, and economic issues effecting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
• Demonstrated experience/positive engagement when working with persons of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds and an understanding cultural competence
• Demonstrated oral communication skills and competence in use of business technology and desktop applications, internet, word, spreadsheet, and database packages
• High level communication skills, written, verbal and interpersonal when liaising with clients and Departmental representatives
• Knowledge of or the ability to acquire knowledge of the relevant government statutes governing statutory child protection work (i.e. Child Protection Act 1999) and Domestic and Family Violence work (i.e. Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012) and the ability to keep current of the legislative, practice and procedural changes within the system.

To Apply:

Please visit the TAIHS Careers Page for more information and to view the Position Description at: https://www.taihs.net.au/working-with-taihs/

Please email your expression of interest to hr@taihs.net.au