Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council (GLALC)’s main objective, for each of our Members, is to improve and protect their social and emotional wellbeing by creating a meaningful connection between us based on mutual respect and understanding.

About Gandangara Community Healing Centre (GCHC)

The GCHC is a culturally safe and trauma-informed AOD Hub based in Miller that delivers holistic, recovery-oriented care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants. Our model integrates clinical excellence with Aboriginal ways of healing and lived experience, fostering harm reduction, wellbeing, long-term recovery, and community empowerment.

The Opportunity

The Intake Support Worker at the GCHC is integral in providing culturally sensitive, holistic, and trauma-informed support to First Peoples with drug and alcohol-related health conditions in South West Sydney (SWS). This role entails collaborative engagement with individuals, their families/carers, community members, and stakeholders, to support participants on their unique paths to recovery.

As an Intake Support Worker, you will be pivotal in creating a nurturing and secure environment that encourages participants to feel safe accessing support and participating in group programs, all while maintaining a deep respect for their cultural heritage and community connections. Your role will involve connecting individuals and their families/carers with relevant internal and external services, answering phone and email enquiries, providing information about GCHC and the broader organisation’s services, guiding clients through the intake process, referral coordination and completing client follow up.

Your contributions as an Intake Support Worker will be crucial in transforming the experiences of participants, stakeholders, staff, and the broader community. You will ensure the delivery of care is of the highest quality, culturally and psychologically safe, and personalised; with a strong focus on empowering participants to achieve their fullest potential, thereby enhancing the overall well-being of our communities.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Provide culturally sensitive, holistic, and trauma-informed support tailored to the needs of First Peoples dealing with drug and alcohol-related health conditions in SWS.

2. Provide administrative support to the GCHC including answering phone calls, attending to email enquiries, coordinating office bookings, supporting in referral documentation and completing client follow up surveys.

3. Conduct intake assessments, ensuring a deep understanding of each participant's needs and cultural background, to support the development of individual recovery plans by the relevant health practitioner.

4. Support the facilitation of group sessions, as needed.

5. Maintain the highest standards of ethical practice and culturally sensitive care in all counselling interventions.

6. Work as part of a multidisciplinary team, including health professionals and community liaison officers, to provide comprehensive and integrated support for recovery.

7. Collaborate with key stakeholders, including mental health professionals and community organisations, to ensure a holistic approach to participant care and recovery.

8. Foster a positive and supportive work culture, emphasising cultural competence, inclusivity, and respect within the team and the broader community.

9. Engage in ongoing professional development and cultural competency training to enhance counselling skills and knowledge.

10. Participate in initiatives aimed at quality improvement, policy development, and strategic planning to enhance AOD services and achieve positive outcomes for participants.

11. Ensure compliance with relevant professional standards, legislation, and ethical guidelines, maintaining a safe and respectful practice environment.

Essential Criteria:

1. Certificate III or IV (or higher) in Community Services, Alcohol and Other Drugs, Mental Health, or a related field

2. Demonstrated ability to work in a respectful and empathetic manner with First Nations peoples with AOD and other chronic conditions

3. Proven ability to work effectively across cultures, particularly with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities, fostering trust, respect, and meaningful therapeutic relationships.

4. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of engaging effectively with a diverse range of individuals, families/ carers, groups, stakeholders and wider community.

5. Strong organisational and administrative skills, with the ability to prioritise answering enquiries, support referrals, complete client follow up, facilitate groups, and maintain a therapeutic, culturally safe and client-centred space

6. Commitment to working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team environment, contributing to a positive, supportive, and culturally safe workplace.

7. Support community development and engagement activities, including efforts to understand needs, areas of priority, and to inform initiatives that enable the program to meet, and adapt to, community-based needs.

8. Dedication to ongoing professional and personal development, including cultural competency and ethical practice.

9. Current NSW Drivers Licence and willingness to engage with local communities as needed.

10. Compliance with necessary background checks, including a National Police Check and a NSW employee Working with Children Check clearance.

11. While not mandatory, lived experience is recognised as a valuable asset, offering unique insights and empathy that can enrich the support provided to individuals on their AOD recovery journey.