Position Description

Position Title: Family Preservation Worker

Location: 135 Kepler Street, Warrnambool

Award Classification: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability ServicesAward

2010. Full time equivalent salary range for the position is $58,000

- $63,232 (pro rata) depending on experience and

qualifications.

Reports To:Manager / Team Leader

Hours of Work:0.8 FTE (30.4 hrs/week) Monday– Friday, 12 month pilot project

Historical background

The Gunditjmara Nation starts at the South Australian border then goes to the foothills of the Grampians, to Pirron Yallock and Gellibrand; this covers the coastlines within these areas. There are many tribes within the Gunditjmara Nation; each tribe had their own identity, which was knowing where their boundary lines were on country. These were often recognised by creeks, rivers and small hills.

Gunditjmara nation is a diverse country made up of volcanic plains, Lakes, Rivers, forest, coastal plains and sea country. Our people adapted to the landscape and constructed permanent housing such as huts made of volcanic rocks. The Kerrupgunditj Clan also utilised the volcanic rocks to construct weirs and channels for the trapping of eels and fish, better known as ‘the fish traps’ by Gunditjmara people.
Gunditjmara country is located in Victoria's south-west region. Our country is within the boundries east of the Glenelg River, south of the Wannon River, west of the Hopkins River and north of the sea is the traditional country of Gunditjmara Nation (Dhauwurd Wurrung language group). West of the Glenelg River is the traditional Country of the Boandik (or Buandig) and to the north of the Glenelg and Wannon, the Jardwadjali. Gunditjmara people have occupied this country for many thousands of yearsGunditjmara nation is a diverse country made up of volcanic plains, Lakes, Rivers, forest, coastal plains and sea country. Our people adapted to the landscape and constructed permanent housing such as huts made of volcanic rocks. The Kerrupgunditj Clan also utilised the volcanic rocks to construct weirs and channels for the trapping of eels and fish, better known as ‘the fish traps’ by Gunditjmara people.
Gunditjmara country is located in Victoria's south-west region. Our country is within the boundries east of the Glenelg River, south of the Wannon River, west of the Hopkins River and north of the sea is the traditional country of Gunditjmara Nation (Dhauwurd Wurrung language group). West of the Glenelg River is the traditional Country of the Boandik (or Buandig) and to the north of the Glenelg and Wannon, the Jardwadjali. Gunditjmara people have occupied this country for many thousands of yearsWhen the world was called to arms in the first and second world war Gunditjmara warriors answered the call, those warriors carried their ancestors spirit with them in battle and continued the legacy of the Fighting Gunditjmara. Every generation of Gunditjmara have left a mark on time and have added to the legacy of warrior culture in defense of country. These stories are passed on to us as part of our history by our elders. Today we carry that warrior spirit with us and have become the living embodiment of the ‘Fighting Gunditjmara’.
Gunditjmara nation is a diverse country made up of volcanic plains, Lakes, Rivers, forest, coastal plains and sea country. Our people adapted to the landscape and constructed permanent housing such as huts made of volcanic rocks. The Kerrupgunditj Clan also utilised the volcanic rocks to construct weirs and channels for the trapping of eels and fish, better known as ‘the fish traps’ by Gunditjmara people.
Gunditjmara country is located in Victoria's south-west region. Our country is within the boundries east of the Glenelg River, south of the Wannon River, west of the Hopkins River and north of the sea is the traditional country of Gunditjmara Nation (Dhauwurd Wurrung language group). West of the Glenelg River is the traditional Country of the Boandik (or Buandig) and to the north of the Glenelg and Wannon, the Jardwadjali. Gunditjmara people have occupied this country for many thousands of years.When the world was called to arms in the first and second world war Gunditjmara warriors answered the call, those warriors carried their ancestors spirit with them in battle and continued the legacy of the Fighting Gunditjmara. Every generation of Gunditjmara have left a mark on time and have added to the legacy of warrior culture in defense of country. These stories are passed on to us as part of our history by our elders. Today we carry that warrior spirit with us and have become the living embodiment of the ‘Fighting Gunditjmara’.
Gunditjmara nation is a diverse country made up of volcanic plains, Lakes, Rivers, forest, coastal plains and sea country. Our people adapted to the landscape and constructed permanent housing such as huts made of volcanic rocks. The Kerrupgunditj Clan also utilised the volcanic rocks to construct weirs and channels for the trapping of eels and fish, better known as ‘the fish traps’ by Gunditjmara people.
Gunditjmara country is located in Victoria's south-west region. Our country is within the boundries east of the Glenelg River, south of the Wannon River, west of the Hopkins River and north of the sea is the traditional country of Gunditjmara Nation (Dhauwurd Wurrung language group). West of the Glenelg River is the traditional Country of the Boandik (or Buandig) and to the north of the Glenelg and Wannon, the Jardwadjali. Gunditjmara people have occupied this country for many thousands of years.When the world was called to arms in the first and second world war Gunditjmara warriors answered the call, those warriors carried their ancestors spirit with them in battle and continued the legacy of the Fighting Gunditjmara. Every generation of Gunditjmara have left a mark on time and have added to the legacy of warrior culture in defense of country. These stories are passed on to us as part of our history by our elders. Today we carry that warrior spirit with us and have become the living embodiment of the ‘Fighting Gunditjmara’.
Gunditjmara nation is a diverse country made up of volcanic plains, Lakes, Rivers, forest, coastal plains and sea country. Our people adapted to the landscape and constructed permanent housing such as huts made of volcanic rocks. The Kerrupgunditj Clan also utilised the volcanic rocks to construct weirs and channels for the trapping of eels and fish, better known as ‘the fish traps’ by Gunditjmara people.
Gunditjmara country is located in Victoria's south-west region. Our country is within the boundries east of the Glenelg River, south of the Wannon River, west of the Hopkins River and north of the sea is the traditional country of Gunditjmara Nation (Dhauwurd Wurrung language group). West of the Glenelg River is the traditional Country of the Boandik (or Buandig) and to the north of the Glenelg and Wannon, the Jardwadjali. Gunditjmara people have occupied this country for many thousands of years.

Gunditjmara people established permanent settlements thousands of years ago, revealing a deep, enduring connection to the land. The Gunditjmara people used the land's natural topography and features to establish permanent settlements and villages along the lava flow near creeks and lakes.

Gunditjmara people gathered food including eels from the rivers and shellfish from the ocean. Places such as Lake Condah, Tower Hill, BudjBim, Deen Maar and the Framlingham Mission areas all significant cultural sites for Gunditjmara people that tell the story of our ancestor’s way of life, culture and history.

Organisational background

Incorporated in 1982 Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) that provides a range of holistic community health and social support programs, principally to the Aboriginal community and other residents in Warrnambool and outlying areas.We work in close partnership with local government, other health service providers including other Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations in the Western District of Victoria, liaising regularly on the provision of health service and social welfare and community support programs.

Overview of the Position

The Family Preservation Worker role is part of The Victorian Government’s trialling of new ways to provide intensive therapeutic support to women, children and their families experiencing family violence. The Family Preservation Worker is a 12 month pilot projectto support the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Family Violence and improve accessibility, transform the way the system responds to family violence, and support family violence services to strengthen and enhance its therapeutic response to adults and children impacted by family violence.

The Family Preservation Worker role is funded through the South Western Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA), in partnership with Australian Childhood Foundation, Brophy Family and Youth Services, Emma House and Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation.

Core interventions offered to victims/survivors focus on restoring and strengthening the parent-child relationship through approaches that foster attachment and parental emotional attunement.Therapeutic interventions include the Safe and Together Model, the Circle of Security Program, family based interventions and family preservation approaches. Additionally, a group approach will also be offered with some aspects such as the Circle of Security.

Assessment and individual counselling for children and young people will be provided by Australian Childhood Foundation.

Trauma informed training and Circle of Security training will be provided to the successful applicant.

Key Responsibilities

  • Holistic and comprehensive assessments of identified families and individuals
  • Provide intensive short term interventions to families to improve parenting capacity, family functioning and the safety, stability and development of their children
  • Using a client centred approach, strengthen relationships between parents and children
  • Write comprehensive assessment reports and maintain records including case notes and plans, and provide statistics in line with required timelines
  • Develop and maintain effective relationships with relevant government and community organisations
  • Participate in and contribute to program development and innovation
  • Other relevant duties within the scope of this role as directed by the Community Services Manager.

Other Duties

  • Participate in a six monthlypost-employment, and then annual performance review with the Manager, and developa workplan for the next twelve month period
  • Participate in and attend organisational meetings as indicated by the Manager /Team Leader
  • All staff are accountable for the effective and efficient achievement of the key responsibilities of their position
  • Be familiar with and abide by the Gunditjmara Cooperative policies and procedures including Occupational Health and Safety, and the Code of Conduct
  • Undertake professional development to increase skills and knowledge.
  • Contribute material for Gunditjmara newsletters
  • Provide regular reports on the activities and outcomes of work undertaken, including internal reporting
  • Participate in the Continuous Quality Improvement process, and Risk Management programmes, and promote compliance with legislation and Gunditjmara policies
  • Participate in Gunditjmara Aboriginal cultural awareness training
  • Assist with and support internal and external audit processes
  • Other duties as directed by the Operations Manager

Key Selection Criteria

  • Understanding and commitment to Aboriginal health, Aboriginal culture, and the philosophy and practice of Aboriginal Community Control
  • Ability to work with Aboriginal organisations, communities and individuals in culturally appropriate ways
  • Demonstrated experience working with high risk and complex families, children, and young people.
  • Well-developed understanding of child development and trauma
  • Understanding of therapeutic models and theories that enable positive change and demonstrated ability to apply these in engaging families to make change
  • High level written and verbal communication skills, and competency in IT, including using client information database systems
  • Minimum diploma level relevant qualification or significant work experience and training
  • Sound organisational and time management skills
  • A current Victorian drivers licence.