Social Worker

KEY FACTS ABOUT THIS ROLE: Part-time, 15-hours per week fixed-term position. Please note that the salary range quoted below is the equivalent full-time rate. As a 0.4 FTE position, this role will attract a starting salary of $541.62 per week.
Available from 1 September 2020; funded until 30 June 2021.
We are looking to recruit at Level 4 on the SCHCADS scale.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE:

• Supporting individuals and families with a range of issues and needs
• Building and maintaining respectful relationships with help-seekers
• Identifying and liaising with help-seekers' existing supports
• Referral
• Advocacy
• Cooperating with other services in developing short, medium or long-term support plans
• Accompanying help-seekers to appointments, court attendances, etc.
• Conducting home visits when necessary
• Record-keeping

We will trust you to set your own priorities, knowing that there's only so much you can do in 15 hours per week. Baabayn’s Elders and your colleagues will be there to support you with prioritizing, especially in the early weeks of your appointment.

BENEFITS

• As per SCHCADS Award and the National Employment Standards
• Salary packaging will be available
• Monthly external supervision at Baabayn's expense
• The opportunity to make a difference
• The opportunity to work with deadly people in an unconventional work environment
• The opportunity to have our beloved cultural space as your workplace
• The opportunity to be a part of the ongoing development of a unique Aboriginal organisation.

For full details, please see the attached position description.

Details

Qualifications

Essential Criteria

The following qualifications and core competencies are essential:

• A minimum of two years of relevant experience in addition to a degree in social work, or a non-degree qualification in social work with a significantly longer period of directly relevant experience
• Understanding of the culture of one or more suburban Aboriginal communities
• Ability to communicate empathetically and respectfully with Aboriginal community members
• Ability to work from a trauma-informed, strengths-based perspective
• Understanding of the impact on Aboriginal families and communities of (a) the present NSW child protection and criminal justice systems, and (b) the availability of alcohol and other drugs in Western Sydney.
• Ability to advocate effectively for community members with government departments
• Resourcefulness in supporting clients by means of appropriate referrals
• Ability to maintain appropriate records
• Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team
• Understanding of the importance of boundaries and the ability to maintain them in a loosely structured work environment
• Understanding of, and commitment to, the principles of work health and safety, cultural safety, privacy and confidentiality, and equal opportunity.

A current, valid NSW Working With Children Check clearance and current, valid NSW driving license will be conditions of employment. In addition, the appointee will be expected either to hold a current First Aid certificate or to acquire one as soon as possible after appointment.

Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation considers that being (a) Aboriginal and (b) a woman are genuine occupational requirements for this position under Sections 14 and 31 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).

Desirable Criteria

• In-depth understanding, such as that built through extensive experience or specialized coursework, of at least one of the following:
  • the present NSW Child Protection system, its impacts on Aboriginal individuals and families, and existing resources and strategies for supporting Aboriginal people who have come into contact with it.
  • the impact of the incarceration of a family member on other family members, of the challenges faced by people of all ages who have direct lived experience of the criminal justice system, and existing resources and strategies for supporting people leaving prison or coping with the incarceration of one or more family members.
  • the impact of addictions (to alcohol, other drugs and/or gambling) on individuals, families and communities, and familiarity with existing resources and strategies for supporting people affected by their own or a family member’s addiction.
• Registration with the AASW (Australian Association of Social Workers); or a degree in social work with eligibility for membership of the AASW.
• Successful completion of a formal program of study in Aboriginal/Indigenous Studies and/or demonstrated familiarity with the resources of traditional Aboriginal culture for supporting healing and well-being.

How to Apply

Complete applications will include the following:

• A covering letter explaining your interest in the position
• A separate statement of your qualifications in relation to the selection criteria. You must address all the essential selection criteria. If you have any of the desirable qualifications listed above, please tell us about those too.
• Your CV (resumé), preferably including the names and contact details of two referees.

It is OK to provide these 3 documents in a single computer file, or in 2 or 3 separate computer files, depending on the requirements of any job board through which you may be applying.

Please email your application materials to helen@baabayn.org.au or upload your application materials as instructed by the job board you are using.

Review of applications will commence in the week beginning 17 August 2020 and continue until the position is filled. Baabayn reserves the right to re-advertise the position or not to make an appointment.

Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation

Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation offers a unique environment for generalist social work across the spectrum of the challenges our people face as we strive together to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma. Our approach is strengths-based and grounded in our culture.

At Baabayn, we pride ourselves on being a community, not a service. We are led by four female Elders, and we are strongly committed to Aboriginal self-empowerment. We run a Centre on Luxford Road in Emerton, in the Mount Druitt area, as a place of healing, belonging and connectedness for Aboriginal people.

Our programs include a Tuesday family gathering, a Homework Club, two groups for the rising generations (young mums and teenage girls), and evening cultural yarn-ups, as well as deadly annual events such as weekends at the beach and Mount Druitt Says No to Ice community days. We also do a lot of work behind the scenes supporting people with life issues and being there for them at times of crisis, bereavement and loss.

We are predominantly a women’s space, although we welcome boys and men to join us as appropriate.

OUR VISION: An Aboriginal community where individuals and families are not only healed and strengthened but also honoured for who they are as Australia’s First Nations people.