Aboriginal Practice Leader

Transcription

1 POSITION DESCRIPTION Aboriginal Practice Leader Accountable to: Conditions: Formal line management and supervision by Community Services Manager Day to day support and operational leadership by Hub Manager Full Time 1.0EFT. Ongoing contract subject to satisfactory work performance, determined through ongoing monitoring and formal performance appraisal: Preliminary performance review at 3 months and Probationary Period Performance Appraisal, at end of 6 months employment. Annual Performance Appraisal every 12 months thereafter if circumstances dictate. Classification: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 [MA000100] Level 7 Salary: Hours of Work: Salary dependent on qualifications and experience. 9.5% Superannuation, five weeks Annual Leave, 17.5% Annual Leave Loading, Salary Sacrifice available. 9am- 5pm Monday Friday Historical Background The name Wathaurong (Wadda-Wurrung) is a recognised tribe (community) which consisted of some 25 clans (family groups) that formed part of the Kulin Nation of Aboriginal people. The traditional boundaries of the Wathaurong people span the coastline from the Werribee River to Lorne peninsula and traverse inland in a north westerly direction towards Ballarat. The Wathaurong people have lived within these regions for more than 25,000 years. As custodians of the Wathaurong lands, we are committed to working together to provide a secure future for our community by upholding the dignity of our ancestors; respecting our Elders and instilling a sense of cultural pride and belonging for our children and children s children. The Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd was formed by the community in 1978 and registered in 1980, to support the social, economic, and cultural development of Aboriginal people, particularly within the Geelong and surrounding areas. The Co-operative provides a range of services including; family and community services, support to young people, justice support services; cultural heritage services, and health services. From time to time the organisation also undertakes special projects and economic development opportunities. The Co-operative expanded to include a Community Controlled Health Service, which contributes toward addressing the inequality in health status of Aboriginal people. The Wathaurong Health Service supports the general well being of Aboriginal people by providing holistic health care with clinical and primary care services as well as health promoting activities. Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd is the largest employer of Aboriginal people within the Geelong region. Page 1 of 5

2 Goals of Position The Aboriginal Practice Leader is a practice leadership position in each Support and Safety Hub (Hub). Auspiced by Wathaurong, the Aboriginal Practice Leader will work in close partnership with the Hub Manager, Practice Leaders, the Aboriginal Hub Practitioner, and Team Leaders to lead high quality, culturally safe and effective responses to Aboriginal people seeking support and safety through the Hubs. The Aboriginal Practice Leader will be responsible for providing practice leadership and expert advice to the Hub workforce on culturally safe and inclusive specialist family violence services, child and family services and perpetrator interventions. The Aboriginal Practice Leader will provide secondary consultations to internal and external stakeholders and proactively build cultural safety and competence in the Hub. In addition, the Aboriginal Practice Leader will work with the Hub Manager and the Service System Navigator to build and maintain effective partnerships with Aboriginal services and communities within the Hub Network to support choice for Aboriginal people Duties are varied and may include the following 1. Leading and supporting culturally safe and responsive practice in the Hub with Aboriginal children, women and men by: (a) Providing specialist secondary case consultation on cases involving family violence, including working with perpetrators and child safety, wellbeing and development (b) Co-working and providing daily specialist practice support for the Aboriginal Hub Practitioner, Team Leaders and Hub staff (c) Where appropriate, jointly managing a small caseload of complex and/or sensitive cases (d) Working with Hub Team Leaders, Aboriginal Hub practitioner and Hub staff to identify and resolve clinical and practice issues (e) Operating with autonomy and accountability in supporting Aboriginal children, women and men. 2. Leading, mentoring and developing Hub Practitioners and Team Leaders in working with Aboriginal children, women and men: (a) Building capability of Hub practitioners to deliver culturally competent responses to Aboriginal children, women and men, informed by cultural expertise, client experience and in line with the relevant practice frameworks and legislation (b) Providing practitioners with relevant information and access to systems to support safe and effective responses to Aboriginal children and families as part of an integrated practice approach (c) Modelling integrated practice approaches and behaviours integral to ethical clinical practice working with Aboriginal children and families (d) Supporting professional development of practitioners in partnership with other Practice Leaders, Family Safety Victoria, Aboriginal organisations, CSOs, DHHS, and other local workforce and training planning initiatives (e) Sharing practice knowledge on Aboriginal approaches to holistic healing and whole of family practices Page 2 of 5

3 (f) Contributing to reflective practice for the Hub team in particular in relation to working effectively with Aboriginal people. 3. Building the cultural safety of the Hub and supporting choice and self-determination of Aboriginal people. 4. Liaising with and providing specialist or secondary consultation to organisations and services within the Hub network in order to discuss direct service issues for Aboriginal people accessing services through the Hub. 5. Working with local Aboriginal governance groups to provide connection between Aboriginal services, communities and the Hub. 6. Supporting system and service improvement by: (a) Implementing systems and procedures to guide practice responses in working with Aboriginal children and families (b) Working in partnership with the Hub Manager, Team Leaders, and other CSO Managers where appropriate, to foster high quality service for Aboriginal people (c) Providing sound judgement and authoritative advice on risks, priorities, clinical and practice matters to the Hub team and where relevant the Hub Manager and/or relevant Hub governance groups (d) Participating in communities of practice with Aboriginal Practice Leaders across the Victorian Hub network. 7. Working collaboratively with the Hub Manager and Service System Navigator to build and maintain effective partnerships with Aboriginal services to support choice for Aboriginal people. 8. Managing stakeholders through effective negotiation and influence, harnessing this network to support Aboriginal people and ensure effective Hub operations. 9. Oversee, monitor and deliver projects to respond to local needs, ensuring they are delivered in a culturally safe and effective way, in accordance with self-determination and relevant legislation and government regulations and guidelines. 10. Keep accurate and complete records of your work activities in accordance with legislative requirements and the Victoria Government s, information security and privacy policies and requirements. 11. Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and for that of others in the workplace by working in accordance with legislative requirements and occupational health and safety (OHS) policies and procedures. Other Duties Other duties as directed by the supervisor and consistent with the overall goals and responsibilities of this position Performance and Accountability Requirements Adherence to organisational goals, objectives, Policy and Procedures Operate within the legislative requirements of the Child Wellbeing and Safety and Children, Youth and Families Acts (CYFA) 2005 and Occupational Health &Safety. Participate in the Cooperative s Continuous Quality Improvement Processes. Participate in relevant training. Have a commitment to the support of a cohesive work team environment. Page 3 of 5

4 Key Selection Criteria Knowledge and skills 1. Strong contemporary knowledge of Aboriginal culture, aspirations and self-determination: has a strong understanding of the local service delivery environment for Aboriginal children and families and communities in the local area, with additional recognition given to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants. 2. Works collaboratively to drive cultural change: has a clear concept of the culture required to deliver effective, culturally safe and responsive services for Aboriginal people within an integrated practice context; designs and delivers innovative practices that enhance quality practice standards for Aboriginal people; understands how to build and establish effective practice cultures, identifies change required, describes reasons for it and engages people who can deliver the change. 3. Expert knowledge and practice leadership roles within Aboriginal services: has established expertise and capability to lead and embed culturally safe and responsive practice as part of an integrated service model of collaborative service delivery and quality clinical practice in the Hubs; has highly developed leadership, negotiation and relationship building skills; has deep understanding of the role of the law and legal system in the context of responding to family violence; has knowledge of practice with Aboriginal women, children, families, victims and perpetrators of family violence; has experience working in multi-disciplinary and multi-agency contexts. 4. Systems thinking: diagnoses trends, obstacles and opportunities in the internal and external environment; understands the linkages between natural systems and communities to inform policy; conceptualises and defines the systems working within the organisation. 5. Self-management: invites feedback on own behaviour and impact; uses new knowledge or information about self to build a broader understanding of own behaviour and the impact it has on others; understands strong emotional reactions and seeks ways to more effectively manage them. Personal qualities 1. Relationship building: establishes and maintains relationships with people at all levels; promotes harmony and consensus through diplomatic handling of disagreements; forges useful partnerships with people across business areas, functions and organisations; builds trust through consistent actions, values and communication; minimises surprises. 2. Initiative and accountability: proactive and self-starting; seizes opportunities and acts upon them; takes responsibility for own actions. 3. Drive and commitment: enthusiastic and committed; demonstrates capacity for sustained effort and hard work; sets high standards of performance for self and others; enjoys a vigorous and dynamic work environment. 4. Teamwork: cooperates and works well with others in pursuit of team goals, collaborates and shares information, shows consideration, concern and respect for others feelings and ideas, accommodates and works well with the different working styles of others, encourages resolution of conflict within the group. Specialist Expertise Relevant tertiary qualifications and professional practice experience in family violence services, child and family services and or broader social services sector is essential. Safety Screening All applicants are subject to a National Police History Check. Page 4 of 5

5 Applicants who have lived overseas for 12 months or longer during the past 10 years are required to provide the results of an international police check. Applicants should contact the relevant overseas police force to obtain this and submit as part of their application. Details of overseas police agencies are available on the Department of Immigration website and can be searched for under the phrase, penal clearance certificate. Confirmation and Agreement Signing of this Position Description, confirms appointment to the Position and agreement of incumbent (Position Holder) to perform all duties and responsibilities as outlined above and in accordance with the requirements of this position. Position: Aboriginal Practice Leader Position Holder: Date: Community Services Manager Date: Chief Executive Officer Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative Ltd Date: Page 5 of 5