Specialist Disability Practitioner

A culture that values and support professional development
- Work for a not for profit organisation that celebrates all cultures, diversity and inclusion.
- Salary Packaging + generous leave conditions

Berry Street is one of the largest independent agencies within Australia, providing diverse programs to over 35,000 young people, children and families across Victoria each year. We pride ourselves on our ingenuity, evidence based and multi-dimensional thinking to provide the best outcomes for our young people

**The Benefits**:

- Regular reflective supervision from leadership
- $15,900.00 pa (pro rata) Salary Packaging + Additional Salary Packaging for meals/accommodation
- 10 weeks paid parental leave
- Additional 17.5% leave loading
- Access to the Employee Assistance Program, with access for staff's immediate family

**The Opportunity**:
Berry Street provides vital support to children, young people, and families in the South East Victoria region, focusing on building resilience and empowering families. We are currently seeking a **Specialist Disability Practitioner** to join our team and enhance the support provided to vulnerable families with disability-related needs, particularly in relation to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
- ** Morwell location on Gunaikurnai Country.**:

- ** Full-time, Fixed term contract until 30.6.2024**:

- ** 97K plus super and salary packaging (pro rata).**

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Provide secondary consultation to Family Services practitioners regarding NDIS eligibility, planning, and funding management.
- Assist families to access NDIS services, prepare for planning meetings, and manage NDIS-related processes effectively.
- Work collaboratively with Child Protection services and other community partners to ensure comprehensive support for children and families.
- Enhance the capacity of the Family Services workforce to work with families with disability-related support needs.
- Build relationships with local NDIS providers and maintain up-to-date knowledge of NDIS policies.
- Provide ongoing case coordination, including collaboration with NDIS Local Area Coordinators, planners, and Support Coordinators.

**Your Skills and Experience**:

- Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with families, children, and young people, particularly those with disability-related needs.
- Experience in case management within the disability sector, preferably with NDIS experience.
- Strong knowledge of the NDIS, disability-specific needs, and best practices in supporting families with complex needs.
- A sound understanding of cultural safety, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and children from diverse backgrounds.
- Excellent communication and advocacy skills, with experience in case conferencing and collaboration with external agencies.
- A Bachelor or Diploma qualification in Social Work, Disability Services, or a related field is required for this role.

**How to Apply**:

- Berry Street is committed to being a child safe, child friendly and child empowering organisation. In everything we do we seek to protect children. We are committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children; children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds; children with a disability; children who identify as LGBTIQA+. We aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity and respect regardless of their cultural background, ability, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, spirituality or religion._
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; people from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds and people with a disability are encouraged to apply._