Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community – Geraldton WA
Aboriginality is an essential criterion and is provided for in accordance with section 50(d) of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA)
ABOUT THE POSITION
The AFLDM Team Lead will guide and provide daily support to a small team to provide culturally led and family-based approaches, guiding inclusive case planning and decision-making to address the care, safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal children who are involved in the Child Protection system. The role will also take on case management for more intensive and critical family needs, and ensure families are supported through trauma informed practice along with person-centered and strengths-based strategies, while also identifying systemic barriers and challenges that impact upon the AFLDM process and intent.
AFLDM encourages family members, extended family, Elders, Significant others in the child's life and where appropriate the child and/or young person, to meet and make decisions about their care, safety, and wellbeing. AFLDM service is independent from the Department of Communities which is important to the integrity of the process to engage with all stakeholders to support families to reach key decisions.
The Team Lead is required to have strong communication and engagement skills to empower families with meaningful opportunities to participate in the development of the case plan and/or making decisions about their child's care, safety and wellbeing needs with compassion and empathy. Aboriginal cultural protocols and values will be central to the ways in which the Team Lead will work with families and other stakeholders by listening carefully in an open, fair, and respectful manner.
ABOUT ABORIGINAL FAMILY LED DECISION MAKING
AFLDM is a key process which supports the right to self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and creates a forum in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have input into the decisions made regarding their children. The process specifically provides the family with a culturally safe space where meetings are facilitated by an Aboriginal practitioner where families are supported to make culturally based and family driven decisions (SNAICC, 2018).
The AFLDM process supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to participate in decisions made in relation to the care and protection of their children and effectively aims to address over-representation of Aboriginal children in the Out of Home Care System and child protection systems in general. ALFDM is used with the intention to create a culturally safe space in which families have agency to create their own plans for their children and make decisions about them.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
* Facilitate meetings that empower families to participate in case planning and decision making.
* Engage all stakeholders with compassion and empathy.
* Ensure Aboriginal cultural protocols and values guide all interactions.
* Listen openly and respectfully to support fair and inclusive outcomes.
* Treat all families and staff with respect and dignity.
* Schedule meetings in line with process timelines.
* Ensure all significant people are personally invited and have ability to participate in the meetings.
* Facilitate meetings in cultural ways that ensure all participants have a voice.
* Ensure accurate record of meetings are taken and recorded.
* Skilfully manage conflict to negotiate common goals.
* Where needed, work with families to develop Case Plans that address the concerns and promote the child or young person's best interests.
* Endorse decisions and recommendations in-line with policy and procedures.
* Where identified, research extended family and work to activate them as support to the children and families.
* Actively engage with families identifying the strengths and capacities, highlighting these in family meetings.
* Case management of intense and critical family needs.
* Co-ordinating of case management with the Family Relationship Advocate.
* Identification of systemic barriers and challenges that impact upon the AFLDM process and intent, and working with the Department of Communities through agreed process, to highlight and address these.
* Provide team direction and management to the small team for the AFLDM process.
Service Delivery
* Explain the AFLDM process to families, get consent, and ensure they know they can withdraw anytime.
* Organise family decision making meetings with Elders and the Department of Communities.
* Educate families and the community about AFLDM's purpose and benefits.
* Work with support services to help implement AFLDM's purpose and benefits.
* Work with support services to help implement AFLDM case plans.
* Facilitate AFLDM meetings.
* Build respectful relationships, support family-led decisions, and hold families accountable.
* Be respected by the community while staying neutral and unbiased.
* Commit to accountability to the Aboriginal community.
* Confidently lead AFLDM and challenge standard practices when needed.
* Hold open discussions, understand family decisions, and explain possible outcomes.
* Handle sensitive information carefully and maintain confidentiality.
* Engage families and stakeholders with integrity and trauma-informed practice.
* Work with AFLDM Steering Groups to monitor and improve the pilot program.
* Encourage reflection after meetings as a cultural learning tool for community and staff.
* Collaborate with service providers and Child Protection for effective support for Aboriginal children and young people.
* Communication and Reporting
* Accurate record keeping, including case notes, completed forms and reports as required according to program guidelines and agency registration obligations.
* Follow-up and provide relevant documentation.
Relationships and Stakeholder Management
* Collaborate with team members and sector initiatives.
* Attend meetings, case conferences, supervision, and training.
* Participate in forums, working groups, and related events.
* Maintain respectful and supportive relationships with stakeholders.
* Build connections with Aboriginal agencies, government, and community organisations.
* Communicate clearly with staff, clients, and external agencies.
Other
* Perform other duties as required
* Complete training and keep all qualifications, licences, and clearances up to date.
* Commit to ongoing professional development.
* Support trained Family Relationship Officers within the organisation.
* Promote AFLDM as a key model to empower Aboriginal families and communities.
* Lead initiatives that strengthen cultural practices aligned with AFLDM principles.
* Organise and run community healing groups and cultural healing activities for Bundiyarra clients.
* Help induct new staff as directed by your manager.
* Follow dress standards as per the Uniform policy.
* Work contracted hours as per your employment contract.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION
* Relevant bachelor's degree
* Work in line with Bundiyarra's values.
* Must be Aboriginal as per Section 50(d) of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984.
* Good understanding of local Aboriginal culture, values, and community needs.
* Able to lead group discussions and resolve conflicts.
* Experience working in a culturally safe way with Aboriginal Communities, government, and service providers.
* Skilled in facilitating meetings and mediating outcomes.
* Knowledge of child protection, family and domestic violence, and cultural attachment.
* Strong understanding of AFLDM principles and guidelines.
* Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; able to build relationships with Aboriginal people and stakeholders.
* Able to work flexible hours.
* Committed to empowering and respecting children and young people.
* Able to create safe environments for children and protect them from harm.
* Willingness to work through conflict situations in an understanding way to achieve best possible outcomes.
* Ability to engage in children, young people, families and community through a friendly warm approach.
* Demonstrated resilience and ability to managing self-care in being able to work in high pressure environments and work with families.
* Ability to work after hours and on call as required.
* Knowledge of WA child protection laws, policies and practices.
* Experience developing, running, and reviewing programs.
* Relevant qualifications in Social work, Family support, Welfare, or Indigenous Studies, and willingness to complete training.
* Good computer skills, including MS Office and data management systems.
REGISTRATIONS AND LICENCES
* National Police Clearance
* Working with Children Check
Application Instructions
To apply for this position, select "Apply" with your current resume along with a cover letter outlining your suitability for the position based on the qualifications and experience shown above and addressing the selection criteria.
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