Family Support Practitioner

Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation; Darwin; On-site; AUD 78,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging up to $15,899

5 weeks pro rata annual leave

35-hour week

Employee assistance program

Learning and development support

Job summary

Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation in Darwin, NT, is seeking a Family Support Practitioner to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families with children aged 0-18 within CaFIS, focusing on early support and family wellbeing.

You will partner with the Family Support Worker, develop Family Support Plans, apply trauma-informed practice, advocate for children, and coordinate services with communities to improve family functioning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree or Diploma in Social Work, Psychology, Family Therapy or related field.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience working with children and families, including trauma-informed practice.
• Demonstrated ability to work respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Responsibilities

• Engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in a respectful, culturally responsive manner.
• Develop and monitor comprehensive Family Support Plans with families.
• Apply trauma-informed practice to assessments, planning and interventions.
• Advocate for the best interests of children and support families to create safe environments.
• Coordinate services across internal and external providers; liaise with community stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate case notes, contribute to reporting and participate in team activities.

Skills

Family engagement

Trauma-informed care

Cultural safety

Communication

Education

Bachelor degree or Diploma in Social Work or related field

Job description

Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation (LNAC) is the peak advocacy and support agency for the Larrakia people, the traditional landowners of the Greater Darwin area. Initially established in 1998 to represent the Native Title interests of the Larrakia people, LNAC has since evolved into a vital service delivery organisation focussed on addressing the social, cultural and economic aspirations of the Larrakia people by initiating and administering programs, projects and services for the broader Aboriginal community.

LNAC is a not-for-profit organisation, receiving the majority of its operating expenses from funding from the NTG & Commonwealth Government.

About the Program

The Children and Family Intensive Support Program (CaFIS) is a part of the Families and Children Activity and is funded by the Department of Social Services, supports Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander families in the Greater Darwin Region (NT) with children and young people aged 0-18 years. The program focuses on early support and prevention, assist families navigating complex situations including child protection involvement. CaFIS aims to strengthen family relationships, improve the health and safety, wellbeing of children and encourage community participation. Services are culturally responsive, trauma informed, child centred and evidence based, ensuring that support is tailored to the unique needs of each family.

Benefits and perks

• Conditions of employment covered by the Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation Enterprise Agreement 2024.
• Salary range starting at $45.59 per hour.
• Option to salary package a maximum of $15,899 from your gross salary each year;
• 5 weeks pro rata annual leave per year;
• and a 35-hour week.
• We have a dedicated employee assistance program and excellent learning and development support and opportunities.

Key Responsibilities and Practice Principles

• Work in partnership with the Family Support Worker to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in a respectful and culturally responsive manner.
• Build and maintain trusted, therapeutic relationships with children, parents, and extended family members.

Development of Family Support Plans

• Co-design comprehensive Family Support Planswith families, identifying strengths, needs, goals, and actions to enhance parenting capacity and family functioning.
• Ensure plans are child-centred, realistic, and culturally appropriate, with a strong focus on child safety and family preservation.

Trauma-Informed and Culturally Affining Practice

• Apply a trauma-informed approach to all assessments, planning, and interventions.
• Ensure all engagement strategies and service responses affirm and respect the cultural identity, values, and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

Child-Centred Support and Advocacy

• Advocate for the best interests of children while supporting parents and caregivers to develop safe, nurturing environments.
• Monitor and respond to child safety concerns in collaboration with internal teams and external stakeholders, in accordance with relevant legislation and protocols.

Case Coordination and Service Integration

• Coordinate services and supports identified in Family Support Plans, ensuring families have access to appropriate internal and external resources.
• Liaise with community agencies, health providers, and statutory bodies to ensure integrated and holistic service delivery.

Outreach and Flexibility

• Provide flexible, community-based outreach support to families in their homes or preferred environments.
• Adjust work schedules and locations to best support families and encourage engagement.

Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential case notes and records in accordance with organisational policies and program requirements.
• Contribute to data collection, progress reporting, and program evaluation activities.

Team Participation and Supervision

• Actively participate in regular team meetings, case reviews, reflective supervision, and professional development activities.
• Work under the direction of the Team Leader and contribute to a collaborative, respectful teamwork culture.

Community Engagement

• Develop and maintain strong links with local Aboriginal communities, Elders, and cultural advisors.
• Support community-driven initiatives that align with the program's goals and enhance family and child wellbeing.

Work in partnership with the Family Support Worker to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in a respectful and culturally responsive manner.

• Build and maintain trusted, therapeutic relationships with children, parents, and extended family members.

Development of Family Support Plans

Co-design comprehensive Family Support Planswith families, identifying strengths, needs, goals, and actions to enhance parenting capacity and family functioning.

• Ensure plans are child-centred, realistic, and culturally appropriate, with a strong focus on child safety and family preservation.

Trauma-Informed and Culturally Affining Practice

Apply a trauma-informed approach to all assessments, planning, and interventions.

• Ensure all engagement strategies and service responses affirm and respect the cultural identity, values, and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

Child-Centred Support and Advocacy

Advocate for the best interests of children while supporting parents and caregivers to develop safe, nurturing environments.

• Monitor and respond to child safety concerns in collaboration with internal teams and external stakeholders, in accordance with relevant legislation and protocols.

Case Coordination and Service Integration

Coordinate services and supports identified in Family Support Plans, ensuring families have access to appropriate internal and external resources.

• Liaise with community agencies, health providers, and statutory bodies to ensure integrated and holistic service delivery.

Outreach and Flexibility

Provide flexible, community-based outreach support to families in their homes or preferred environments.

• Adjust work schedules and locations to best support families and encourage engagement.

Documentation and Reporting

Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential case notes and records in accordance with organisational policies and program requirements.

• Contribute to data collection, progress reporting, and program evaluation activities.

Team Participation and Supervision

Actively participate in regular team meetings, case reviews, reflective supervision, and professional development activities.

• Work under the direction of the Team Leader and contribute to a collaborative, respectful teamwork culture.

Community Engagement

Develop and maintain strong links with local Aboriginal communities, Elders, and cultural advisors.

• Support community-driven initiatives that align with the program's goals and enhance family and child wellbeing.

Selection Criteria

• Bachelor degree or at minimum Diploma in Social Work, Psychology, Family Therapy, Community Services or similar profession with a minimum of 3 years' experience working with children and young people with a trauma background.
• Demonstrated knowledge/experience in working with culturally diverse communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
• Demonstrated experience in the delivery of brief intervention, counselling and/or mediation.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the range of family risk and protective factors which impact on child outcomes.
• Ability to conduct holistic family assessments, co-develop Family Support Plans, and implement evidence-informed interventions that build parenting capacity and improve family functioning.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and a commitment to early intervention as a strategy to optimise child outcome.
• Demonstrated knowledge of child protection issues and the NT child protection system.
• Ability to build trust and rapport with vulnerable families, often in challenging and complex circumstances.
• Understanding of the importance of culturally responsive practice, together with a willingness to work respectfully in accordance with Larrakia and other Indigenous cultures.
• Possession of, or ability to quickly acquire, a First Aid & CPR Certificate.
• A valid Working with Children (OCHRE) Card, Current NT Driver's Licence (C Class minimum), Current Police check.

Advantageous

• Identify as Larrakia
• Proven experience leading and developing a new team

Applicants are required to undergo Drug and Alcohol testing if you are in the final selection as part of the recruitment process.

For further information call Katrina 0457 344 799

Family Support Practitioner • Darwin, NT, AU