Practitioner, Children Youth and Families

Um Holdings; Canberra; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Health and Community Services Directorate in Canberra is seeking a practitioner to support children, youth and families within the statutory child protection and youth justice framework.

You will work with families and multidisciplinary teams to deliver trauma-informed case management, build partnerships with community services, and support clients from early intervention through to out-of-home-care. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culturally safe practice is emphasised.

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Social Work, Psychology, Criminology, Law, Social Science or related discipline.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture awareness is desirable.
• WWVP registration and National Police Check may be required.

Responsibilities

• Work with families and multi-disciplinary teams to support children and young people.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with community partners.
• Support from early intervention through to court work and out-of-home-care.
• Provide trauma-informed, solution-driven case management to aid child and youth development.
• Foster culturally safe and inclusive practices for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

Skills

Social Work

Psychology

Criminology

Law

Social Science

Education

Tertiary qualifications in Social Work

Job description

Practitioner, Children Youth and Families

Protecting and supporting our most vulnerable children and young people is one of the most important jobs you can do.

Working in Children, Youth and Families in the Health and Community Services Directorate gives you the chance to:

• make a difference in the lives of children and young people at risk of abuse and neglect
• provide a positive influence on young people and help them find their place in our community
• build relationships across the ACT’s community service sector to support children, young people and their families.

Our Child, Youth and Family Safety team have responsibility for the ACT’s statutory child protection response. Our Youth Justice and Adolescent Services team supports young people at risk of engagement with the justice system. We also run our youth detention centre Bimberi, and support young people when they leave custody.

We are looking for practitioners who:

• can work alongside families and multi-disciplinary teams to support children and young people
• know how to develop and maintain professional relationships with community partners
• want to work with families across the child protection and youth justice continuum, from early support, through to court work and out-of-home-care
• have proactive, trauma-informed, and solution-driven case management skills to support children and young people to develop and grow
• committed to fostering culturally safe and inclusive practices for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, ensuring respect, dignity, and culturally responsive support in all interactions.
• have strong written and verbal communication and engagement skills.
• Want to apply their experience and qualifications in social work, psychology, criminology, law, social science, or related disciplines

The Health and Community Services Directorate is committed to addressing the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the child protection and youth justice systems and is committed to meeting the cultural needs of young people we work with.

The Health and Community Services Directorate acknowledges the significant contribution that individuals with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage and experience bring to improving outcomes for young people.

We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have the appropriate background, experience, and capability, but may not hold the essential tertiary qualification to consider applying for these roles.

Health and Community Services Directorate (HCSD) is an inclusive employer where all people are respected and valued for their contribution. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, People with Disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, veterans, mature age workers and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people.

Eligibility/Other requirements:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Social Work, Psychology, Social Welfare, Social Science or related discipline are essential. Please note: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who do not have these qualifications, but who have appropriate and relevant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage and experience are eligible to apply.
• For Youth Justice positions, a relevant qualification in Criminology or Law may be considered.
• This role may work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, cultural awareness, the capacity to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is highly desirable.
• Prior to commencing this role, a current registration issued under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 is required. For further information on Working with Vulnerable People registration refer to - Apply for or renew a WWVP registration - Access Canberra
• Prior to commencement, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a pre-employment National Police Check.

Note: A merit pool or merit list will be established from this selection process and will be used to fill vacancies over the next 12 months.