Social & Emotional Wellbeing Caseworker (Adult)

NGATANWAAR (Welcome)

Work in an appreciative and supportive environment, that offers generous remuneration – including tax savings and additional leave where you will achieve real and meaningful outcomes that positively affect our community.

Established in 1979, Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative's vision is simple: "Empower the individual the family wins, Empower the family the community wins, Empower the community our culture wins". Our team of dedicated professionals work together to achieve this outcome as evidenced in our latest audit where we received two rare commendations Workforce Development and Diversity & Cultural Safety. Put simply, this is a great and highly supportive place to work.

IDENTIFIED POSITION

This is an identified position. The Equal Opportunity Act permits special measures that help people who experience disadvantage to access equal opportunity in employment. Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples are eligible to apply for this position, which is exempt under the Special Measure Provision, Section of the Equal Opportunity Act 2011 (Vic).

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION

The purpose of this role is to facilitate healing and improve wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their families by:

• Assisting and supporting local Aboriginal, aged 18 years+, experiencing social and emotional well-being issues.

• Providing culturally appropriate support, counselling and advocacy to Aboriginal adults using Gunditjmara's SEWB Case Management Model.

• Providing support, advocacy, and relevant programs to eligible clients and work closely with internal Gunditjmara programs and services and external services as required.

• Providing goal-based support and guidance empowering Aboriginal adults in accessing specialist services, including legal, housing, family violence, education, mental health, and employment services.

• Focusing on a cultural therapeutic approach.

• Developing and implementing cultural activities which focus on Aboriginal cultural healing practices in partnership with Gunditjmara and local Elders.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Support and Counselling

• As directed by the Model of Social Emotional Wellbeing framework, provide counselling and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with Social and Emotional Wellbeing concerns in the areas of connection to:

• Body.

• Mind and emotions.
• Family and Kinships.

• Community.

• Culture.

• Country.

• Spirit, spirituality, and ancestors.

• Offer a broad range of counselling services which includes trans-generational grief, trauma, and relationship counselling to all clients engaged in the family tracing/reunion process.

• Establishing and maintaining a referral network of professional counsellors, psychologists, psychiatrists, traditional Healers, and other relevant health professionals.

• Refer clients to other services as required, including non-government organisations, mainstream mental health and other services such as drug and alcohol, housing and other services to meet the needs of the client.

• Develop and implement healing support workshops and activities.

• Develop, collect, and maintain resources specific to the client target group.

• Promote local community awareness and education about the history and social, emotional and health impacts of forcible removal.

• Conduct fortnightly or weekly Women's Groups

• Participate in relevant networks and other taskforces.

• Client advocacy as required.

• Develop and utilise culturally appropriate assessment tools.

Case Management and information management

• Attend/facilitate case planning and review meetings for each client.

• Maintain up to date case notes on activities and achievements with each client in individual case files.

• Ensure Gunditjmara policies and procedures relating to client privacy, security of records and confidentiality of client related information are always adhered to.

• Ensure accuracy and timeliness of program and funding reporting via SEWB data base and other relevant reporting systems is maintained.

• Provide clients with information on rights, responsibilities, and available health services.

• Maintain and utilise accurate information systems, statistics and other records required for the efficient and effective management of clients.

• Build cross cultural working relationships with the South West Adult Mental Health Team and promote the SEWB role.

Full Position Description Available on Request by emailing , or if you have any questions about the role Contact Cody Chatfield on