First Nations Case Worker

Mercy Community are current looking for a First Nations Case Worker/Practitioner to join our team as a Foster and Kinship Care Practitioner. 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.

Please note, that 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).

This position offers a competitive annual salary between $77,578 to $83,486 plus superannuation dependent on qualifications and experience. You will also have the opportunity to increase your take-home pay by salary sacrificing and other benefits (more information below).

**To be eligible for this position you will require**:

- 3- or 4-year tertiary qualification in Social Work, Human Services or related discipline; or relevant Demonstrated experience in the support and mentoring of children and young people in out of home care.
- 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 care.
- A valid Queensland Provisional Green (P2) or above 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 or willingness to obtain prior to commencement, unless applicable exemption provided as per the relevant Mercy Community procedure.

**Why choose to work at Mercy?**

Mercy Community appreciates the important work that each person contributes to the success of our programs and services. Being part of the Mercy team, means you have access to some fantastic benefits, such as we:

- Pay for your Queensland Blue Card and NDIS Worker Screening Card when you need - saving you up to $144 if you need both cards
- Provide you and your immediate family free, professional and confidential counselling services. This includes specialised First Nations counsellors.
- Provide the opportunity to increase your take home pay through the use of salary sacrificing and other packaging benefits -up to $18,550 per annum is available to take advantage of
- Provide access to novated leases for a vehicle to help reduce your taxable income.

Depending on your role, you may also be eligible:

- For annual influenza and/or other vaccination reimbursements
- To receive pay bonus’ of $500 for successful employee referrals
- To cash out or purchase annual leave and to
- Take advantage of extra leave entitlements

We also ensure all our employees have access to a wide variety of excellent learning and development tools to continue your professional and personal development. This includes making sure you have access to plenty of other career pathways and opportunities in the broader Families and Young People programs, or in other programs and services across Mercy.

**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.

**Next Steps**

Mercy is committed to Safeguarding - taking actions to promote and ensure the welfare of children and adults at risk, protect them from abuse or neglect and supporting an awareness of whole community responsibility to help and protect all in need.