Institute for Urban Indigenous Health Ltd ACN 140 019 290 SENIOR FAMILY/DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PRACTITIONER (Ongoing, fulltime position based at MATSICHS Morayfield) What do we do? The Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) was established to provide a coordinated and integrated approach to the planning, development and delivery of primary health care services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations within the South East Qld Region. The IUIH is a lead agency working in partnership with key stakeholders to support the effective implementation of the Council of Australian Governments Closing the Gap initiatives. Join this dynamic organization and drive your career forward Competitive Salary Package arrangements are available This role aims to reduce violence in the community. This will include individual support for victims, development of programs for perpetrators, increase capacity for staff working with families, and identification of funding streams to expand ongoing specialist family violence services. In addition to contributing to case management services by providing family violence support and intervention expertise, you will support the professional development of our team in the Family Wellbeing Service. The role will work systemically and be guided by contemporary evidenced based theory and research to ensure interventions are culturally appropriate and most likely to bring about sustained positive change. The role will require consideration of the unique context of Indigenous Australians and be adept at responding to a diverse range of issues including trauma, mental health difficulties; parenting concerns; stress and anxiety and family law complexities. In doing this, you will: Provide ethical and professional Family Violence services to individuals, couples and families to improve safety for all family members. This may include psycho-educational group work. Contribute to the development, implementation and ongoing support of a domestic and family violence policy that ensures appropriate assessment, pathways of care and responses to family violence Provide expertise and education for multidisciplinary team supporting families affected by family violence Collaborate with legal team to enhance access to legal services for families experiencing violence. To be successful in this role, you will have: Extensive working experience with domestic and family violence issues including theory, dynamics and the impact on individuals, families and communities Ability to communicate sensitivity and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Tertiary-level qualification in human services or related field, and relevant experience and professional development in the area of Family Violence In return, you will be rewarded with the opportunity to develop your career within this organisation that truly values its people. Enquiries regarding the position can be directed to: Donna Lacey (Manager, Family Wellbeing Service by email at donna.lacey@iuih.org.au Applications (Resume and brief Covering Letter) must be submitted via Seek APPLICATIONS CLOSE MONDAY, 11 DECEMBER 2017
Position Title Location Reports to Direct Reports Date of Approval Senior Family/Domestic Violence Practitioner, Family Wellbeing Services MATSICHS Morayfield (may be required to work at other locations ie Caboolture, Strathpine, Morayfield and/or Deception Bay, as required) Manager, Family Wellbeing nil November 2017 Our organisation The Institute for Urban Indigenous Health Ltd oversees a coordinated/integrated approach to the planning, development and delivery of primary health care services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations within the South East Qld Region. The IUIH is a lead agency working in partnership with key stakeholders to support the effective implementation of the Council of Australian Governments Closing the Gap initiatives. IUIH established MATSICHS as a strategic response to the significant growth and geographic dispersion of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Moreton Bay area. MATSICHS is committed to reducing the disparity in health and well-being experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We respect and empower the individual, the family and the community, to foster linkages with our Clinics; Social Health and life continuum programs in Early Years; Youth; Family Wellbeing Services and Aged Care.. The aim of the Family Wellbeing Service (FWS) is to reduce the high rates of children in out of home care primarily through early screening and support to identify and manage family risks and vulnerabilities, and through strengthening of family resilience, cultural connections and connectedness; cohesion and capacity to support children to reach their full potential. Our mission and vision Our Vision Healthy, strong and vibrant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities. Our Mission Family health and wellbeing through integrated health and social support services
Our Values Working together - strengthening and supporting each other to achieve our goals Focus on families - the wellbeing of Indigenous families of SEQ are at the centre of all our efforts. Strategic focus in every activity and relationship Integrity, conviction and quality in performance of every task and in every process A commitment to excellence in all that we do Building capacity of our staff and member services Accountability to stakeholders and communities for meeting commitments Our Model of Care Your role Within the IUIH Model of Care, we value: Community Recognising that we are here because of those that came before us, and the responsibility of realising the opportunities they created to improve the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of SEQ. Cultural Respect We recognise the cultural diversity, rights, views and values and expectations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and commit to ensuring they are respected in the delivery of health services in SEQ. A holistic approach Improvements in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health require attention to physical, cultural, emotional and social well-being of individuals and the community as a whole. Excellence We strive to attain the highest standards of service delivery and clinical practice, and contribute to measurable improvements in the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Stewardship Cultivating the resources entrusted to us to realise improvements in health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of SEQ. Collaboration Collaboration with and among Community Controlled Health Services and partners is fundamental to realising our vision in SEQ. The role will provide expertise in domestic and family violence to develop and implement services and programs that aims to reduce violence in the community. This will include individual support for victims, development of programs for perpetrators, increase capacity for staff working with families, and identification of funding streams to expand ongoing specialist family violence services. In addition to contributing to case management services by providing family violence support and intervention expertise, you will support the professional development of our team in the Family Wellbeing Service. It is essential that the service is fully integrated with seamless links and connections with our primary care clinics as well as our social health team and our maternal child health services while also working closely with the Department of Communities and other external agencies. The Senior Family/Domestic Violence Practitioner will work systemically and be guided by contemporary evidenced based theory and research to ensure interventions are culturally appropriate and most likely to bring about sustained positive change. The role will require consideration of the unique context of Indigenous Australians and be adept at responding to a diverse
range of issues including trauma, mental health difficulties; parenting concerns; stress and anxiety and family law complexities. GENERAL RESPONSIBLITIES Provision of Services Provision of ethical and professional Family Violence services to individuals, couples and families to improve safety for all family members. This may include psycho-educational group work. Contribute to the development, implementation and ongoing support of a domestic and family violence policy that ensures appropriate assessment, pathways of care and responses to family violence Provide expertise and education for multidisciplinary team supporting families affected by family violence Collaborate with legal team to enhance access to legal services for families experiencing violence. Collaborate with external specialist family violence services where necessary Provide culturally appropriate family support in partnership with other multidisciplinary team members across the service Advocate on behalf of the client (and their family) when necessary. Support the FWS to develop a stronger practice model for family violence referrals. Develop and Maintain Linkages Work to foster productive relationships with both internal and external stakeholders Establish effective and continuous cooperative working relationships with Indigenous and non-indigenous community organisations relevant to your client needs Promote the services of MATSICHS clinics at events and activities targeted to and/or involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples based within the North Brisbane catchment area Self-Management & Team Contribution Contribute to a positive team environment and adhere to all IUIH Policies and Procedures Ensure own attendance to all work commitments Maintain own competencies and participate in development programs authorized in advance by IUIH Participate in team planning, review and monitoring processes, as required Follow all safety procedures and contribute to a safe work environment Work within a legal and ethical framework Administration and Reporting Keep accurate, case notes, statistics and other client records and files up to date Ensure data entry of client information into relevant management systems including ARC, MMeX and PUP data base. Contribute to best practice outcomes through active participation in
FWS ongoing development and evaluation Provide reports / input to Manager and Senior Practitioner as relevant Provide evaluations and reports on services capacity and risks as required Staff, who in the course of employment, reasonably suspect that a child or unborn child may be in need of protection are required to follow the processes detailed in the Responding to Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect policy to determine whether to make a notification to Child Safety. SELECTION CRITERIA KEY REQUIREMENTS Extensive working experience with domestic and family violence issues including theory, dynamics and the impact on individuals, families and communities An understanding of issues and challenges facing both perpetrators and victims, particularly in the context of Indigenous Australians. Proven background in responding to crisis situations, conflict resolution and problem-solving Demonstrated understanding of working with individuals, families and communities who have experienced trauma, including acute, ongoing and intergenerational Demonstrated knowledge of, and commitment to, the philosophy and practice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health services Demonstrated ability to work as part of an inter-professional team including knowledge and understanding of the roles and contributions of other professionals Ability to communicate sensitivity and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Effective verbal, written skills and multi-mode communication skills QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Tertiary-level qualification in human services or related field Relevant experience and professional development in the area of Family Violence Demonstrated practical experience developing health and/or social services programs and teams PRACTICAL REQUIREMENTS Current C Class Drivers Licence (Qld) and the ability to travel across south east Queensland as required. Current Blue Card (working with children and young people) or willingness to apply for a Blue Card.