Kinship Support Officer - Strengthening Families & Culture

Central Queensland Indigenous Development Inc.; Rockhampton Regional; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

CQID in Rockhampton, Queensland, is seeking a Kinship Support Officer for Strong Carers, Strong Children, Family Based Care. The role supports kinship carers through assessments, safety studies and Blue Card processes, ensuring cultural safety and connection to Country.

Reporting to the team structure, you will work with families to identify strengths, address barriers and coordinate referrals while upholding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and community relationships.

Qualifications

• A relevant qualification in community services, human services, child protection, social work or a related field, or a mix of cultural knowledge, skills and experience.
• Strong cultural identity, knowledge and connection to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities, with ability to work across diverse communities and kinship systems.
• Experience in kinship care, foster care, child protection, family support or related community services is highly desirable.
• Knowledge or experience with carer assessments, Household Safety Studies, Blue Card requirements and carer approval processes is desirable.
• Understanding of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle, family-led decision-making and cultural safety.
• Ability to engage and build trusting relationships with families in complex circumstances.
• Ability to gather and analyse information and prepare clear, culturally respectful written reports.
• Demonstrated ability to identify family strengths, needs and practical barriers to caring.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, organisation, record-keeping and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and complete documentation within required timeframes.
• Ability to work collaboratively with Child Safety, prescribed delegates and community organisations.
• Knowledge of confidentiality, information sharing and professional boundaries.
• Willingness to participate in supervision, cultural reflection, training and ongoing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Work under supervision to deliver CQID’s Equipping Kin service.
• Build trusting relationships with prospective kinship carers, children and families through culturally safe engagement.
• Ensure engagement and assessment activities are guided by culture, kinship and Country.
• Complete initial and provisional kinship carer assessments and related documentation on time.
• Support carers and households to understand and complete Blue Card, health and approval requirements.
• Provide families with clear information about statutory care and assessment processes.
• Identify family strengths and barriers and develop practical strategies to address them.
• Coordinate referrals and brokerage in line with guidelines and approval processes.
• Ensure children's views and safety are considered throughout assessments.
• Collaborate with CQID programs, Child Safety and community partners.

Job description

CQID in Rockhampton, Queensland, is seeking a Kinship Support Officer for Strong Carers, Strong Children, Family Based Care. The role supports kinship carers through assessments, safety studies and Blue Card processes, ensuring cultural safety and connection to Country.

Reporting to the team structure, you will work with families to identify strengths, address barriers and coordinate referrals while upholding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and community relationships.