NGATANWAAR (Welcome)
Work in an appreciative and supportive environment, that offers generous remuneration – including tax savings and additional leave where you will achieve real and meaningful outcomes that positively affect our community.
Established in 1979, Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative’s vision is simple: “Empower the individual the family wins, Empower the family the community wins, Empower the community our culture wins”. Our team of dedicated professionals work together to achieve this outcome as evidenced in our latest audit where we received two rare commendations Workforce Development and Diversity & Cultural Safety. Put simply, this is a great and highly supportive place to work.
THE ROLE
The purpose of this role is to support GAC clients to make change in their lives that improves their personal and social well-being by:
-Identifying issues that require change; and
-Connecting them with support such as secure housing or family therapy.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
•Provide face to face, video and telephone counselling services to clients presenting with grief, trauma, identity, relationship, parenting, drug and alcohol, domestic violence and/or mental health issues.
•Engage employees using appropriate strengths-based assessments and risk minimisation processes.
•Work with clients to research, create, monitor, and evaluate their client plan and outcomes, that identify strengths as well as areas of risk, ensuring clients are actively engaged in the process.
•Ensure client plans are shared openly with clients, and where applicable, other agencies.
•Coordinate with government departments and agencies, health services, individuals, GP’s, and allied health providers to ensure services are delivered.
•Work with clients affected by workplace issues and provide career counselling and advice.
•Plan, develop and facilitate or co-facilitate evidence informed therapeutic groups and health promotion workshops which enhance the well-being and health of clients within GAC.
•Support the delivery of health promotion and community education workshops to raise awareness of issues that may be impacting clients of the service, address the effects of trauma and reduce social isolation.
•Assist clients to engage with wrap around services directly, as appropriate.
•Document client services and client changes using technology and paper-based systems in a clear, logical, understandable, and timely way.
•Advise the Manager of any significant changes or concerns regarding the client, their home environment, wellbeing, their services or case plan, or other risks, as soon as possible
•Work in accordance with the Professional Governance Framework to ensure the services and support GAC provides to its clients and each other are person centred, connected, effective, and safe .
THE IDEAL PERSON FOR THIS ROLE
Essential
•Bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) from an accredited institution, or equivalent and a related discipline that provides a sound understanding and knowledge of assessing and working with Aboriginal clients at risk.
•Sound knowledge and understanding and commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, culture and the philosophy and practice of Aboriginal Community Control and be able to effectively utilise this knowledge to effectively communicate with Aboriginal people including women and children, men, and families.
•Demonstrated ability to work successfully with Aboriginal people to address a range of complex and diverse needs including the understanding of the importance of culture and community connection.
•Knowledge of wrap around services available in the mental health space.
•Proven ability to establish therapeutic relationships with clients who may have a reluctance to engage.
•Proven ability to apply counselling theories, skills and knowledge to clients experiencing issues relating to area of speciality.
•Experience facilitating programs for individuals and groups.
•Understanding of the needs of diverse communities such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) communities.
Desirable
•Current full membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
•Post graduate qualifications in counselling.
•Cert IV Training & Education .
•Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
HOW TO APPLY
Position descriptions are available at
Please forward your covering letter (addressing the key selection criteria) and resume to recruitment@gunditjmara.org.au .
We are looking to fill these position ASAP, however we will wait for the right candidate, so get in quick.
We are a Child Safe organisation. This means that any job offer will be subject to strict screening processes and proof of immunisation (both childhood & Covid). See the position description for further information.