Aboriginal Key Worker

**Are you of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander with prior experience within the Community?**:
**Do you posses a passionate commitment to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals involved in the Justice System?**:
**Are your leadership and advocacy skills well-honed, with a genuine aspiration to collaborate within a culturally**aligned** team of Aboriginal staff, dedicated to creating a stronger, healthier and safer community?**:
**Full Time Salary $91,000 plus superannuation**:
**About the GEO Group and Ravenhall Correctional Centre**:
Ravenhall Correctional Centre is part of The GEO Group Australia,** Ravenhall** is Victoria’s largest, medium security prison for adult sentenced and unsentenced males. Its contemporary campus-style design provides a safe and humane environment that enables and nurtures GEOs Continuum of Care operating philosophy.

Ravenhall also has a dedicated Forensic Mental Health Unit, a specialised Closed Supervision Unit for prisoners with significant challenging behaviours, and a small Mission Based Unit for prisoners who have never been in custody before. In recognition of the importance of Continuum of Care, Ravenhall extends its presence into the community by providing ex-prisoners with access to post-release support at GEO’s Community Reintegration Centre.

With key focus on young adult offenders, Aboriginal and those with complex and mental health needs, prisoners at Ravenhall have significant opportunities to engage in work, education, programs and services, through an evidence based approach to reduce re-offending.

Ravenhall’s unprecedented emphasis on offender rehabilitation and reintegration is evidenced through collaborative and integrated relationships with key Alliance service partners including Forensicare, Correct Care Australia, YMCA, Honeywell and Bendigo Kangan Institute of Tafe.

**About the Opportunity**:
The Aboriginal Key Worker(s) is responsible for providing placement-based case management support and pre and post-release support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men in our care to assist them to successfully transition from Ravenhall back into the community.

They will work closely with Aboriginal Contractors, GEO Reintegration and Post Release Workers and Alliance Partners to ensure reintegration planning for Aboriginal men is holistic and focuses upon strengthening connections to community. They will assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men to develop a Cultural Plan to assist with their reintegration and will work collaboratively with Aboriginal community organisations to ensure continuity of supports that is responsive to the specific needs of Aboriginal people.

They will also provide consultation and advice to all staff at Ravenhall to assist in ensuring a culturally safe environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men. The Aboriginal Key Worker is an identified Aboriginal position and will also ideally have a background in social work, welfare or community services.

**Key Accountabilities**:

- Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men to develop a Cultural Plan that strengthens their connection to community, culture and country post-release.
- Regularly facilitate an Aboriginal Programs Orientation session to inform new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men about the culturally specific programs and services available at the Centre.
- Conduct Program Suitability Assessments for Aboriginal programs and services at Ravenhall within prescribed timeframes and refer to appropriate programs and services.
- Work collaboratively with GEO, Alliance Partners, health services and community organisations in assisting the men to develop individual reintegration plans that facilitate successful reintegration outcomes.
- Work collaboratively with Aboriginal community organisations to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners receive timely access to appropriate cultural programs and services post-release.
- Contribute to case-management plan and provide support at Case-Management Review Committees (CMRCs) where required.
- Provide consultation, advice and training on issues related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture including how clinical programs may be more culturally responsive to the needs of Aboriginal people.
- Assist in the organisation and coordination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander celebrations and events.

For a full list of Key Accountabilities, please refer to the Position Description.

**Key Selection Criteria**:
To be successful in the role you will possess the following:
**Essential**:

- A demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and demonstrated commitment to improving outcomes for Aboriginal people.
- A deep and authentic understanding of Indigenous culture, peoples, Country and traditions and the impact that the criminal justice system has on indigenous men, families and communities.
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