Aboriginal Permanency Coordinator - Sydney Metro

Department of Communities and Justice • Ashfield, NSW

1d • A$129,464 - A$133,105 • Hybrid

About The Position

Aboriginal Permanency Coordinators are permanency consultants, advocates, and advisors to DCJ and Permanency Support Program (PSP) Service Provider staff. They are skilful collaborators, influencers, and negotiators. They help embed a culture that values and prioritises relational, physical, cultural, and legal permanency for children and young people. This role is committed to providing better, more responsive and culturally sensitive programs and services that reflect the perspectives of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities we serve.

Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge, skills and experience with a minimum of 2 years’ experience in child protection or out of home care (DCJ or NGO)
• Current driver’s licence as travel will be required
• Tertiary qualifications in Social Work, Psychology, Social Science Welfare or related discipline with demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development. (Note: It is not essential for candidates applying for Aboriginal targeted roles to have tertiary qualifications.)
• As an Identified role, this position is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons, Australia’s First Nations people. Where a position is identified, an applicant’s race is a genuine occupational qualification under the exception in Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977. There are two alternatives to confirming your Aboriginality, one of which must be uploaded to be considered for the role as follows. Either will be accepted: Confirmation of Aboriginality form or Written confirmation from 2-3 Aboriginal organisations within the community in which you live/work, which addresses the three criteria listed below: is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, and identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, and is accepted as a such by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.
• Appointments are subject to reference checks and the following pre-employment checks: National Criminal History Record Check in accordance with the Disability Inclusion Act 2014, Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.

Nice To Haves

• The roles and responsibilities of the Permanency Coordinator may change in line with the new operational model and OOHC reform. Successful applicants will need to adapt to future role changes.

Responsibilities

• Consultation and review of permanency options for children in statutory out of home care.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders to support the practice approach of the Aboriginal Case Management Policy.
• Communicate respectfully with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations in a culturally respectful way.
• Use innovative and non-traditional solutions tailored to meet the individual needs of, and drive better outcomes for children, young people and their families by achieving permanency within a set timeframe.
• Provide advocacy when required to ensure that DCJ, PSP Service Providers, NGOs and government agencies are all meeting their accountabilities to achieve case plan goals.
• Identify practice and service gaps and work with DCJ Commissioning and Planning teams and agencies, particularly Aboriginal Community. Controlled Organisations, to develop agency capacity to better meet the needs of children, young people and their families.
• Support restoration, as the preferred permanency outcome for children and young people.
• Provide practical (field) permanency support as needed.

Benefits

• Flexible work practices including work from home, flexible working hours, 35-hour week and flex leave
• A challenging and rewarding career.
• Flexible, autonomous work environment.
• Competitive pay and conditions.
• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities.
• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree