First Nations Case Worker

**About the Role**

The Foster and Kinship Care Team currently have a vacancy for a Case Worker also known at Mercy as a Foster & Kinship Care Practitioner to join the team. This Permanent Full-time position will be based in our Ipswich office, supporting the Greater Ipswich region.

The Foster & Kinship Care Practitioner role is responsible for the provision of high-quality support to foster and kinship carers to assist carers to meet the identified needs of the children and young people placed in care. This position will provide planned support, particularly to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander foster and kinship carers and/or children and young people in care, whilst ensuring their cultural needs are met.

**To be eligible for this position you will require (Key Selection Criteria)**:

- 3- or 4-year tertiary qualification in Social Work, Human Services or related discipline; or relevant Diploma with relevant experience; or substantial experience in similar role.
- To perform this role, it is essential that the person who holds the position be an Aboriginal person or Torres Strait Islander person and is therefore a genuine occupational requirement under section 25, 104 and 105 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld).
- A highly developed understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and societies and the issues which impact upon them in contemporary society together with a commitment to culturally appropriate engagement and practice.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the developmental needs of children and young people, the impacts of trauma, and the resulting emotional and behavioural issues and the ability to build positive relationships with children and young people in out of home care.
- A valid Queensland Provisional Green (P2 Licence) or Open Drivers’ Licence.
- A current positive notice Working with Children Check (Blue Card) and the ability to obtain any other legislatively required personal history screening as required.
- Evidence of current vaccination against whooping cough and COVID-19 or willingness to obtain prior to commencement, unless applicable exemption provided as per the relevant Mercy Community procedure.

**Benefits**

We understand that finding the right organisation and the right team is just as important as finding the right role. As a valued employee of the Mercy family, you will be eligible for:

- Internal Support group of First Nations Peers.
- Role specific professional development inclusive of face-to-face and online training in addition to Mercy Community’s induction and training.
- Flexible working arrangements which can include 1 Rostered Day Off (RDO) per month and negotiated Work from Home (WFH).
- The opportunity to increase your take home pay with our salary sacrificing benefits - up to $15,900 per annum and up to $2,650 of your pre-tax income to pay for entertainment (meals, holiday accommodation etc).
- Staff undertaking on call duties are eligible for an on-call allowance and additional leave entitlements.
- Mercy is a large, growing business with lots of opportunities for promotion and career growth.

This position offers a competitive annual salary of $70,682 to $83,486 plus superannuation in line with level 3 to 4 of our Enterprise Agreement (dependent on qualifications and experience). You will also have the opportunity to increase your take-home pay by salary sacrificing and other benefits.

**About Us**

Mercy Community is a Catholic not-for-profit, compassionately inspiring and supporting people to live hopeful, connected lives within inclusive communities. We support families and young people, people living with a disability, and older people, and live by our values of Compassion, Integrity, Dignity and Empowerment.

We have been providing services and support for over 150 years and our team operates across a network that encompasses urban, rural and remote communities. Please visit our website to find out more about our dedicated team and the work we do.

Mercy Community is delivering the Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan to boost our commitment to First Nations deliverables and actions.

We are committed to actively and positively contribute to the quality of life and wellbeing of the people we support and to embrace our community diversity in all its forms. We encourage you to visit our website to find out more about Mercy Community.

**How to Apply