Practice Leader

**Practice Leader (Aboriginal Identified)**
- **Maximum term Full time until 30th March 2026**:

- ** SCHADS level 6**:

- ** Location: Newcastle and surrounds**

**About the Role**
Samaritans Family and Community Services (FCS) is seeking a **Practice Leader**to provide specialist guidance and support across our programs. This role ensures culturally appropriate, evidence-based practices that improve outcomes for Aboriginal children, young people, families, and carers.

The Practice Leader will influence decision-making, support culturally responsive casework, and embed the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principles in our work. This is an opportunity to drive best practices and strengthen cultural competence within our teams.

**Why Work for us?**

Newcastle Anglican places people at the centre of our work. As a part of a faith-based organisation, you have access to the following great benefits:

- Up to 40% discount on school enrolment fees at any of our Newcastle Anglican schools
- Salary packaging options (Maxxia)
- Meals and entertainment card (Maxxia)
- Access to rewards program (Maxxia)
- Discount Private Health Insurance premiums (9% Medibank)
- Career and development opportunities - we want you to flourish
- Access to over 300+ gyms with the Fitness Passport Program
- Free access to our corporate Employee Assistance Program
- 14 weeks paid parental leave or 3 weeks paid partner leave
- Collaborate with internal networks who have varied knowledge on services and supports (learn and share)
- Make a positive impact delivering work for a worthy purpose

**Key Deliverables**:

- Provide specialist advice to and management on practice in working with Aboriginal children/young people, parents and carers and provide expert assistance in complex or sensitive circumstances
- Support the implementation of evidence informed approaches into culturally appropriate practice, working with and mentoring staff in a planned and coordinated manner
- Encourage and role model collaborative and accountable case management that respects the culture and circumstances of each child, young person, family, carers and partner agencies
- Implement professional development opportunities for team members including taking a lead role in group supervision, reflective practice sessions (individual and group) and regular debriefing to improve and guide culturally appropriate and sensitive practice

**Essentials**:

- Must identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander decent and have an understanding of the issues impacting Aboriginal people and their wellbeing
- Tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Social Science, Early Education or similar (equivalent experience considered)
- Demonstrated ability to use a culturally appropriate approach in implementing appropriate models of intervention, create opportunities, empower and promote the wellbeing of young people through engagement of families and carers
- Demonstrated knowledge of therapeutic services that may be by young people and their families such as Victims of Crime Counselling Services
- Knowledge and understanding of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principles
- Strong interpersonal skills that provide the basis for effective negotiation, medication and conflict resolution practices and outcomes
- A non-judgemental and empathetic approach to engaging and working with young people and their families
- ability to develop rapport with carers, child/young people and their families/significant others and community
- demonstrated commitment and ability to maintain confidentiality and accountability, including records of children and young and their families, team and organisation discussions
- The ability to effectively develop and maintain positive working relationships and networks with other Government and Non-Government agencies/services
- Demonstrated ability to participate positively in team work, training and supervision processes
- Demonstrated understanding of the relevant government legislation applicable to the community services

The successful applicant will possess a valid NSW Working with Children Check, Drivers Licence, first aid & CPR certificate and be willing to undertake a pre-employment functional medical and National Police Check (with consideration of any reported outcomes).

**Samaritans Foundation considers that being Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement for this position under s 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).**

**Who we are?**

Formally known as the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle, Newcastle Anglican is a faith-based organisation serving the people of the Hunter and Central Coast.

We offer a leading Christian presence to our community through our parishes, four schools, Anglican Care and Samaritans.

Our vision is for people to flourish because of what we do, inspired by the way of Jesus.

You must have the right to live and work in Aus