JOB DESCRIPTION

Are you motivated and compassionate, with an interest in supporting Indigenous young people in your local community - particularly those in the Youth Justice system and who may present with complex trauma? Do you have a heart for the wellbeing of Indigenous young people with an empathetic approach to supporting them? Do you have a genuine desire to help Indigenous young people, and their families obtain the professional assessment, advice and guidance that they may need to manage or treat mental health, behavioural, and emotional disorders? Do you have current experience working as a Family Support Worker - preferably, with young Indigenous people?

Silver Lining Foundation Australia Ltd (SLFA) has an exciting opportunity for an individual to join our team as a Family Support Worker in our Neuro Ability Support Services (NASS) Program, Cairns. Our Cairns NASS Program works with Australia's First Nations young people (and their families and/or carers), who are primarily involved with the Cairns Youth Justice Service Centre, and generally aged between 10-17 years, with suspected or diagnosed neurodevelopmental disabilities.

SLFA is a growing charity whose objective is to provide benevolent relief to First Nations Australians. SLFA has multiple programs based in Queensland that provide culturally appropriate services that cater for the diverse needs of disenfranchised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The NASS Program, with the support of Department of Youth Justice Qld, aims to connect, and ensure an ongoing connection for Indigenous young people who are diagnosed with a neurodevelopment disability - such as, but not limited to - intellectual disabilities, ASD, FASD, acquired brain injury and ADHD, to appropriate support services so that their disability needs can be met.

THE ROLE

The successful applicant will be someone who is dedicated and passionate about supporting Indigenous young people - predominantly those in the Youth Justice system, and their families. You will provide support to young people who are engaged in the NASS Program, and assist them to access and attend health, mental health and other services that NASS Program staff have connected them to in response their disability needs (particularly those disability needs that may contribute their risk of reoffending).

Working collaboratively as part of a small team, the role requires the Family Support Worker to work alongside other NASS Program staff to achieve program objectives and deliverables. The role will be supported by the SLFA Executive Officer and other SLFA leadership staff. Hours of work will generally be Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm.

Summary of Duties

Assist young people and their families/carers to access and attend diagnostic services by transporting them to and from clinical and health appointments if/when required.

Liaise and network with all relevant agencies and develop strong partnerships with healthcare providers, social services, and other relevant services to create a comprehensive support network for young people and their. families/carers.

Deliver practical and emotional support, guidance and services to young people and their families/carers involved and provide professional support to help young people and their families/carers to work through difficult situations.

Visit young people and their families/carers at the homes or other relevant locations.

Develop and maintain effective working relationships and partnerships with young people and their families/carers, Youth Justice representatives, caseworkers, and other external support agencies, and provide comprehensive support and case management that optimises young peoples’ access and engagement in a variety of health and mental health services.

Collaborate with the Department of Youth Justice Qld - Cairns branch, and other partners as required to support young people participating in the NASS Program.

Provide an advocacy role for young people and their families/carers, including supporting them to exercise their own cultural authority throughout the process.

Work alongside other NASS Staff to offer emotional and health support to vulnerable families.

Monitor and report on the progress of clients to NASS leadership staff and assist with case management record keeping in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Justice Qld.

Perform other relevant activities to support young people as identified in their Youth Justice case plans.

Other General Duties

Perform routine administration tasks such as photocopying, filing, record-keeping, reporting, use of Microsoft 365 and other record management systems used for the NASS Program,

Build positive but professional relationships with young people and their families, carers, caseworkers, etc, and effectively communicate with them.

Model and promote respectful behaviour and support the physical, social, and emotional wellbeing of our young people in a professional manner.

Drive company vehicles as and when instructed or required.

Engage in SLFA, events, meetings, and activities as required.

KEY SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Experience: Experience of working with young people, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, who are marginalised and disenfranchised and who may present with a complex history of trauma - as well as their families/carers.

Teamwork: Ability to contribute to the effective operation of a team and work collaboratively with others to fulfil objectives and achieve goals and strategic plans.

Communication: Excellent interpersonal, oral and listening skills, including the ability to communicate messages and concepts clearly and concisely, collaborate, negotiate and effectively manage conflict resolution and competent written skills.

Interpersonal Impact: High standards of professional behaviour and demonstrated ability to make a positive impression on others in a range of interpersonal contexts. Demonstrates empathy, emotional understanding and support while maintaining professional relationships.

Relationship management: Strong ability to engage in and foster quality relationships with young people, staff, parents/carers and other key stakeholders and ability to maintain effective and professional working relationships.

Trauma-Informed Approach: Understanding of or willingness to learn how adverse childhood experiences and trauma can affect young people, and ability to support and assist with the facilitation of response plans.

ICT Proficiency: Proficient in using ICT tools, including Microsoft 365 applications (Outlook, Word, Excel), for administration tasks, record keeping and communication.

Achieve Results: Self-motivated, resourceful, organised and ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritise work demands and competing tasks and meet deadlines in a diverse environment.

Health and Safety Compliance: Understands and ability to follow health and safety standards and guidelines, with the ability to plan, monitor, and address issues in accordance with policy.

QUALIFICAITONS

At a minimum, you must have at least one of the following qualifications:

Certificate IV in Community Services;

Diploma of Community Services;

Diploma of Counselling;

Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention;

Diploma in Child, Youth and Family Intervention; or

Extensive experience working in a similar role.

You must also have both of the following in order to apply:

Valid Driver Licence: at least a Class Code C (Car) and Type Code O or P2 (Open or Provisional 2) Driver Licence; AND

Blue Card (BC) - Working with Children:

The successful candidate must have a paid BC (or Exemption Card) before commencement as per the No Card, No Start policy developed by Queensland Government.

If you are a ‘Restricted Person’ for the purposes of a working with children BC, you are not eligible to apply for this position. It is an offence for a restricted person to commence or continue working with children if they are a ‘restricted person’.

If you do not have a BC (or Exemption Card), and you are not a restricted person and are eligible to hold a BC, please apply for one via Blue Card Services before you apply for this position. You must have a valid BC (or Exemption Card) for your application to proceed.

Working with Children - Statement of Commitment

SLFA supports the rights of its young people and is committed to taking all reasonable steps to provide them with a safe and supportive environment and promote their safety and wellbeing, and protection from foreseeable harm. In order to give practical effect to SLFA’s commitment, SLFA will act in accordance with its legal obligations under the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 (Qld) (‘the Act’) SLFA aims to eliminate and minimise risk to the safety of its young people and ensure the safety and wellbeing of its young people by implementing employment risk management strategies, practices and procedures to promote the wellbeing of its young people and to protect them from harm.

Position Start Date

Monday 26th May 2025 - or earlier (start date is negotiable).

Applications must include:

Cover Letter: explaining your reason/s for applying, and why you would be suited to this role.

Current CV / Resume: including at least two professional referees (referees will be contacted following an interview).

The successful applicant will be required to complete an Application for Employment and provide all necessary documentation prior to be offered a contract, including:

Driver Licence

Blue Card

Qualifications

Applications Close: Tuesday 20th May 2025.

Note: Please submit your application through SEEK.