Wandiyali is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation established in Awabakal (Newcastle) in 1997. As the largest accredited Aboriginal provider of Permanency Support Program (PSP) Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) services across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, the Hunter Region and Port Stephens, Wandiyali is committed to delivering culturally safe, trauma-informed and community-led supports for Aboriginal children, young people and families.

In addition to OOHC services, Wandiyali delivers a broad range of Family Preservation and community support programs, working in partnership with children, young people, families and communities to achieve safe, culturally strong and sustainable outcomes.

Job Description
The Opportunity

Wandiyali’s Aboriginal Family Preservation (AFP) is funded by DCJ and is a key part of the broader child protection system, and wider service system that supports children and families and is considered a key lever in responding to the over representation of Aboriginal children in the foster care system. The primary objective of our AFP is keeping Aboriginal children safe at home with their families, connected to Culture, Community and Country.

Wandiyali’s AFP is grounded in our Social and Emotional Wellbeing Framework (SEWB) and draws on evidence informed practice to provide a Culturally responsive and holistic program. AFP recognises families’ strengths, capabilities and goals, with practitioners working alongside families to increase safety for children. The foundation of the AFP framework are the following core components:

Engagement
Case Management
Family and Parent Support
Therapeutic Support
Child-focussed Support
Healing
Advocacy
Cultural Casework Support is a key role in this team, contributing to a collaborative approach to ensure that all AFP team members are supported to provide the highest quality services. The Cultural Casework support role has several key responsibilities:

Works collaboratively with the team in:
providing Cultural guidance and mentoring, supporting connections with family, kin and community
delivering outcome focussed support to families
advocating and coordinating within service systems
Contributing to our Quality Assurance processes
Establishes effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders

The Benefits

As a Wandiyali employee, you benefit from additional career development support, including,

12 weeks induction.
Ongoing training and opportunities for career advancement.
Flexible home/office-based working arrangements (after 12-week induction)
You will also have the option to reduce tax and cost of living expenses through,

Salary Packaging of up to $15,900 each FBT year
Meal and Entertainment Salary Sacrifice of up to $2,650 each FBT year
Employee Benefits programs providing discounts on a large variety of consumer services and products.
If you are looking for a career that is dedicated to truly making positive changes and you have experience working with Aboriginal children, young people, families, or communities we would like to hear from you.

This is an identified position. Applicants must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent. Exemption is claimed under Section 14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).

How to apply

Please note a current WWCC, National Police Check (completed in the last 12 months), First Aid certificate including CPR, and a current Driver's License (P2 or above) is required prior to the successful applicant's start date.

A current resume
A cover letter introducing yourself, and an overview of your experience working with vulnerable children and families in the context of Child Protection or the Community Services Sector.

Desired Skills and Experience
Essential criteria;

A commitment to the Vision, Mission, and Values of our organisation
Aboriginal or/and Torres Strait Islander and is Culturally confident and able to demonstrate their knowledge and experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the community
Relevant qualifications in Community Services or a related field or equivalent demonstrated experience working with children, young people and families in the preservation sector.
Demonstrated understanding of the developmental needs of children, young people and families and an understanding of the key risk factors of transgenerational trauma on childhood development.
Demonstrates qualities of strong communication, including conflict resolution and the capacity to build effective relationships with families, community and stakeholders
Demonstrated organisational, time-management and problem-solving skills
Intermediate level of computer skills and experience using databases.