Foster Care Recruitment & Retention Officer
* Make a real difference to the local community
* Access to Salary Packaging
* Full-Time
* Ongoing Position
The Role
The Foster Care Worker will promote Foster Care at Wathaurong and undertake comprehensive assessments, facilitating the recruitment and training, including therapeutic training of potential Aboriginal Foster Carers using Our Carers for Our Kids training model. The role will work to develop Wathaurong’s capacity to recruit and retain Aboriginal Foster carers using the Step-by-Step process.
About You
The successful candidate will have:
Essential
* Demonstrated experience in working with and understanding the development and therapeutic needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
* Demonstrated understanding of social, physical, economical, and cultural strengths and challenges affecting Aboriginal communities and their ability to access adequate and quality services.
* Demonstrated understanding of Family and Children’s Services and relevant Commonwealth and State Policies, Legislation and Standards.
* Experience or demonstrated capability to lead and support team members in an education or community service environment.
* Relevant qualification (or working toward) in Community Services, Social Work, Psychology, or related area and/or experience providing support services to families and young children
* Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to develop positive stakeholder relationships and communicate with diverse individuals in a culturally appropriate manner
* Ability to demonstrate resilience and work in challenging and high-pressured environments
* High level communication skills including a high level of accuracy, record keeping, and report writing abilities along with excellent negotiation, conflict resolution, and consultation skills.
* Ability to work effectively and cooperatively as part of a team and follow processes
* Knowledge of safe and appropriate culturally centred practices for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander focused services, including employment of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
* Demonstrated understanding of social, physical, economical, and cultural strengths and challenges affecting Aboriginal communities and their ability to access adequate and quality services.
* Understanding of the purpose and expectations of the Victorian Child Safe Standards and demonstrated commitment to contributing to a child safe organisation in both practice and culture.
Desirable
* Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
* Demonstrated experience working with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
*A police check, Working with Children Check, and current Driver Licence are required for all positions.
About Us
Please visit our website for further information:
How to Apply
A Position Description can be viewed on our website at:
Applications should consist of a current resume and a cover letter, submitted in Word or PDF format before the closing date of 26/03/2026.
Wathaurong is committed to providing a child safe environment. We have zero tolerance of any abuse or maltreatment of children. We are committed to ensuring children and young people can actively participate in decisions that affect their lives. All children have the right to be children and live free of abuse and neglect, so they can grow, learn, and develop. Everyone within Wathaurong is responsible for ensuring a culture of child safety, preventing child abuse, and abiding by the Child Safety Principles.