FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICE & ABORIGINAL CARERS SERVICE MANAGER

Reports to:

Child and Family Support Services (CFSS) Executive Manager.

Our Story

Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation (JCAC) is governed by an elected body representing the Aboriginal community of Tennant Creek and the surrounding Barkly region in the Northern Territory.

As one of the largest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations in Australia, with a history stretching back more than 30 years, JCAC has a long and proud record of community service delivery. The Corporation grew out of the Warumungu Papula organisation, formed in 1974.

Its primary purpose then, as it remains today, was to alleviate poverty and improve the wellbeing of the Aboriginal people of Tennant Creek and surrounding homeland communities.

Today, JCAC delivers the following services for our mob:

· Community Safety – we help keep people safe

· Child and Family Services – we look after our children and families

· Aged Care Services – we look after our old people

· Training and Employment Services – we help people develop new skills and participate in employment

· Tenancy and Municipal Services – we look after our houses and our places

· Art Centre Operations – we support our artists and provide the public access to well-run facilities

PRIMARY PURPOSE AND FUNCTION OF THE ROLE

The Child and Family Services business unit works to look after children and families. It achieves this by delivering services around HIPPY, Playgroup, Family Support Services and the Child and Family Centre. These services support families to be strong, including helping parents to develop skills, visiting families in their homes, providing a place for children and parents to connect with services and other families, and hosting other service providers to provide additional support for families. All services work in partnership with other organisations through referrals, information sharing and collaboration to ensure strong service delivery.

The Child and Family Services - Family Support Service and Aboriginal Carers service manager delivers the funded programs under the Child and Family Services business unit, and reports directly to the Child and Family Services CFSS Executive Manager.

As Family Support Service and Aboriginal Carers service manager, you must lead and oversee the team’s overall performance and service delivery responsibilities, including creating a culturally safe and supportive environment for a majority Aboriginal workforce. You will have experience in managing, leading and uplifting a team from diverse range of backgrounds, and well-adept in managing the different pressures living and working together in a small community.

You will understand the importance of cultural competency and Aboriginal empowerment and self-determination, as well as the very unique social and economic challenges faced by Aboriginal people every day.

You will ensure service delivery requirements are in line with funding, regulatory and internal operational requirements. You will oversee performance against KPIs, record and manage required data to evidence service delivery to required standards, make decisions and prepare required program delivery advice, reporting and updates on a regular basis.

You will have responsibility to build and maintain positive relationships with all internal and external stakeholders in relation to the programs you manage and have responsibility for. This will mostly be achieved through your ability to effectively manage and deliver quality services. You will also attend approved external meetings, engage with funding bodies from time to time, and contribute to positive and effective relationships and cooperative issues resolution in relation to the programs you manage.

You will also have a commitment to work, health and safety, managing and overseeing staff, and building a work-safe culture within your team.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational

· Operate Family Support Services and Aboriginal Carer Services teams that are fully staffed and operate to improve outcomes for community members that are culturally safe and in accordance with each relevant funding agreement.

· Manage staff within the two teams Family Support Services and Aboriginal Carer Services, including rostering and HR.

· Development of policy and procedures for each of the four teams to work within.

· Compliance and reporting in accordance with the funding agreement.

· Maintain regular monitoring and review of the approved budgets, ensuring appropriate expenditure in accordance with each approved budget annually.

· Conduct, monitor and review a risk assessment of services, detailing strategies to mitigate risks, in accordance with the funding agreements.

· Assist in the recording and reporting of incidents and assistance required within appropriate timeframes.

· Support staff to participate in training as appropriate to their job roles.

· Promote and raise awareness of the services available in the community.

· Engage and collaborate with funders and partners to support child and family support activities, in line with funding agreements and JCAC values and goals.

Human Resources

· Maintain and foster a culturally safe environment for all staff.

· Build and maintain a safe-work culture.

· Providing safe working conditions, including prevention of workplace bullying, harassment and violence.

· Manage and support the team, including running team meetings, ensuring access to training, having regular performance development discussions, and maintaining accurate records including rostering and timesheet approvals.

Workplace Health and Safety

· All employees take reasonable care for their own health and safety

· All employees take reasonable care for the health and safety of others

· All employees comply with any reasonable instructions, policies and procedures provided by their employer in the workplace

Organisational Activities

· Support all organisational activities under the direction of the CEO and in line with the Board approved Operational Plan, related to:

· Governance and Strategy

· Risk and compliance

· Finance

· Property and Assets

SELECTION CRITERIA

Candidates for the position of Family Support Service and Aboriginal Carers service manager must address the following selection criteria:

Previous experience:

· Experience managing the delivery of family support and/or carer services in a community-based setting, with demonstrated ability to engage and support Aboriginal families and carers through a culturally safe and strengths-based approach.

· Experience leading and supervising a multidisciplinary team, including mentoring and supporting Aboriginal staff.

· Demonstrated experience managing government-funded programs, including ensuring compliance with funding agreements, data collection and reporting requirements, and meeting program deliverables.

· Experience working collaboratively with other service providers, community organisation, and government agencies to achieve positive outcomes for children, families, and carers.

· Strong financial and operational management skills, including managing budgets, staff rosters, vehicle and asset use, and monitoring performance against KPIs.

· Proven capacity to manage risk, maintain accurate records, and respond to incidents and compliance issues in line with organisational policy and relevant legislation.

· Demonstrated ability to lead reflective practice and continuous improvement across service delivery areas.

You will have:

A respectful and consultative management style that empowers and builds trust with staff, management peers and JCAC Executive team.

Persistent approach to time management and meeting deadlines.

Diligent approach to ensuring compliance with all funded activities.

Strong commitment to ethical practices, good governance, data integrity, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of organisational operations.

Deep respect for and sensitivity to the diverse cultural values, traditions, and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, with a passion for supporting self-determination and empowerment.

Commitment to work, health and safety, and effective risk management.

Education:

· Tertiary qualifications in social work, community services, or a related field, or at least 5 years demonstrated experience managing the delivery of funded community-based programs or services.

Mandatory Requirements:

· National Police Check Clearance or ability to obtain

· Ochre Card

· Drivers License and completion of a nationally accredited off-road (unsealed roads) four-wheel drive training course, or willingness to obtain one.