Position Objective
The Cultural Mentor and Support Officer is to offer direct assistance for staff, children and families across all departments, particularly non-Indigenous staff, to enable culturally appropriate support and delivery for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our care and for the families we support. The primary focus is to ensure the identity of the young person's in our care is sustained through preserving their sense of belonging to family, community and culture.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
* Directly support staff, children and families to improve the stability and cultural connection of the children and young people.
* In conjunction with families, children, staff and carers, work towards a cultural plan that meets the needs of each individual while assisting the staff/carers/child in their ability to activate and ensure the cultural plan is followed through and adds stability and belonging for the child.
* Assist in identifying and locating extended family connections and facilitate the process of reengagement with extended families and kin.
* Liaise with Aboriginal communities.
* Provide mentoring support for children and young people to connect to family, culture and community.
* Assist staff, families and children to help identify the children's communities of origin, their connection to country and their mob.
* Work within the team to assess the needs of families and children for specialised flexible support with a focus on the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
* Work within family, residential and carer households to support the practical application of care for the children in the context of their cultural background.
* Keep staff, carers and families up to date and aware of events, programs and activities available within their local Aboriginal communities.
* Promote within our service an understanding of Aboriginal culture as experienced by the individual, acknowledging and supporting the impact of this on their social and emotional development and well‐being.
* Assist and advise in linking our young people back into their communities and their families.
* Follow Allambi risk assessment procedure in all operations.
* Participate in case planning meetings with families, Government Departments and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients.
* Review and assess progress of Cultural Care plans and goals regularly with Management and staff, maintain case notes and files according to Allambi's policies and procedures.
* Collaborate with other Indigenous services and government departments and maintain the relationships set up with external services.
* Assist Management in making referrals to programs that will gain a positive outcome for the young person and their families, including camps and any other means to ensure a strong connection to community and to the land.
* Ensure that in all cases you always act in a professional and appropriate manner.
* Liaise with appropriate services to develop inter‐agency protocols.
* Attend and participate in camps and outings in a leadership capacity.
* Attend relevant training sessions nominated by management.
* Prioritise, organise and complete set tasks given by management, according to client needs and company demands, adhering to timeframes.
* Assist staff with family finding and reconnection of children and young people with family and communities.
* Work both independently and as part of a team.
* Identify and educate staff on the impacts of colonialisation, past and present legislation and policy and practices that impact on Aboriginal people and their culture.
* Promote practical initiatives that enhance Allambi's Aboriginal cultural awareness and practices.
* Build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
Essential Criteria
* Current Working with Children Check (for paid employment – can be obtained via https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-working-children-check).
* Current First Aid Certificate (Provide First Aid; Course Code HLTAID011).
* National Police Check (obtained via https://www.employmentscreeninggroup.com/au/allambi/).
* A current driver's licence.
* Vehicle that can transport upwards of four people.
* Comprehensive car insurance.
* Ability to follow protocol and individualized programmes designed for the young person.
* Willingness to participate in pre‐employment medical checks.
* Two work‐related references.
* Recognition by local Indigenous groups.
* Working knowledge of youth work.
* Extensive experience in Microsoft Office applications.
* Knowledge of Needs‐Based Restorative Framework concepts and strategies.
Desirable Qualifications
* Diploma of Community Services.
* Bachelor of Human Services.
* Bachelor qualification in a relevant field of study.
What We Can Offer You
* Supportive team and organisation that truly values its employees.
* Play a critical role in changing a young person's life.
* Full‐time employment with a Monday‐Friday work week for a fixed term (up to 12 months).
* Great work‐life balance with one RDO per month.
* Increase your take‐home pay with NFP salary packaging – you can salary package up to $15,900 pa of your pre‐tax salary for everyday expenses and up to $2,650 pa for entertainment expenses.
If you meet the above criteria and you're interested in contributing to an organisation that values the highest level of quality in everything it sets out to achieve, we want to hear from you! Simply complete the application process by clicking the Apply Now button and we'll be in touch.
Applications Close Wednesday 18/3/2026
Allambi Care is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes applications from people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds as well as people with a disability.
#J-18808-Ljbffr