Aboriginal Cultural Mentor and Support Officer

**Position Objective**

The Cultural Mentor and Support Officer is to offer direct assistance for staff, children and families over 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. 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 carer's, to 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.
- To assist in identifying and locating extended family connections and to 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.
- Keep staff, carers and families up to date and aware of events, programs and activities available within their local Aboriginal Communities.
- To 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.
- To 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
- To 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 children and young people with family and communities
- Work both independently and part of a team
- The ability to 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.
- To promote practical initiatives that enhances Allambi’s Aboriginal cultural awareness and practices.
- An ability to build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

**To be successful in the role you will need to meet the following essential criteria**:

- Current First Aid Certificate (Provide First Aid; Course Code HLTAID011)
- A current driver’s licence
- Vehicle that can transport upwards of 4 people
- Comprehensive Car Insurance
- Ability to follow protocol and individualized programs 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

**The following Qualifications are desirable for this role**:

- 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 persons' life
- Full Time Employment and Monday-Friday work week for a fixed term (up to 12 months)
- Great work-life balance with 1 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.

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