The purpose of the Family Facilitator (FF) (DFV Specialist) is to work collaboratively with at risk families to assist them in identifying their needs using the Family Led Decision Making (FLDM) framework to ensure their children are safe. The FF (DFV Specialist) will provide support to families through culturally appropriate practices that effectively engage with traditional owners, elders and families across all communities. In addition, the role will work collaboratively with at risk families and FF staff to provide general support and advice in relation to DFV, including the provision of training and technical assistance that promotes safer outcomes for families.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Qualifications in social work, psychology, education, allied health, or social sciences with at least an appropriate certificate relevant to the work required to be performed, eg Certificate III level and ability and willingness to undertake a relevant Certificate IV

• Certificate IV in Training & Assessing (desirable)

• High degree of competency in ARC (database)

• Knowledge of the issues affecting the health and well-being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people living in the Townsville region

• Ability to autonomously and display initiative, self-motivation, time management and solution focused skills

• Ability to work within the QATSCIPP practice framework and standards

• High level communication skills; written, verbal and interpersonal when liaising with clients and Departmental representatives

• Ability to work independently as part of a professional service delivery team

• Ability to work with a team in ways that are respectful, transparent and acknowledging of individual’s skills, abilities and capacities

• Knowledge of or the ability to acquire knowledge of the relevant government statutes governing statutory child protection work (i.e. Child Protection Act 1999) and the ability to keep current of the legislative, practice and procedural changes within the system.

• High level communication skills; written, verbal and interpersonal when liaising with clients and Departmental representatives

• Experience or knowledge of Family Led Decision Making model and adopting strengths-based practice

Required Licenses and Checks

• Ability to pass a National Police Check – no Serious/Criminal/Court Records

• Current Blue Card (Queensland's Working with Children Check)

• Current C Class Drivers Licence (Qld)

• Proof of qualifications and current registration (as appropriate) are to be provided prior to commencement of employment

Duties & Responsibilities

• Prepare initial engagement with families by appraising and understanding the referral and carefully considering what resources may be required

• Respectfully engage families by adopting appropriate cultural protocols

• Explore existing family supports and kinship relationships that are in place

• Identify family strengths and stakeholders within the process

• Develop and document safety plans with the families active participation

• Ensure the perspectives of the children and young people are considered when completing safety plans

• Prepare families for planning meetings with the relevant government and non government stakeholders

• Ensure families have adequate time alone to consider options and have adequate supports available

• Ensure and empower families to be decision makers at the earliest possible opportunity

• Support and encourage families in a culturally appropriate way to take ownership at each stage

• Conduct regular reviews of all plans

• Provide supported referrals to appropriate services as agreed by the family

• Support families to initiate self-referrals

• Provide culturally appropriate FLDM support to families across all points along the child protection continuum (e.g. safety planning, court processes, reunification, transitioning to independence etc)

• Demonstrate awareness of cultural diversity that exist within and outside the program’s catchment area

• Mapping out kin relationships including the development of genograms and considering the influences of ecological factors

• Facilitate the engagement between families and the department across the child protection continuum

• Support the department assessment of Investigations and Assessments (I & A’s)

• Prepare and provide reports to the court and the appropriate Government Department as required

• Ensure collaboration with the department in assessing appropriate out of home placements

• Coordinate families transitioning into their preferred service of choice

For further details about this role please read the attached position description

Apply online via the apply now link and tab

Please contact the HR Team for a confidential conversation, [email protected]