Specialist (Empowered and Connected Families)

Join the Kalwun Team - Make a Real Impact in Community!

 * This is an identified position, applicants must be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person *

Kalwun Development Corporation Ltd, a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisation, is calling on passionate changemakers to join our Empowered and Connected Families Team.

Whether you’re delivering frontline services, supporting our community behind the scenes, or helping to strengthen cultural connections, your work will make a real difference in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across South East Queensland. Kalwun offers a wide range of programs across health, community, and family services, all grounded in culture, care, and connection.

About the role
Kalwun’s Empowered and Connected Families Program champions the safe care and connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with their families, kin, communities, and culture. The Empowered and Connected Families Program is structured to carry out the responsibilities associated with the delegated authority program of the Queensland Government Department of Child Safety. Delegated authority enables Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community controlled organisations to make decisions for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander children and families. Kalwun’s Empowered and Connected Families Program is designed to enhance effectiveness in maintaining strong cultural connections within families and ensuring that families have a voice whilst enabling self-determination.

What you'll be doing

• Work with the family to develop effective strategies in addressing concerns related to assigned powers or functions
• Ensure practice encompasses self-determination and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle
• Participate in Family Led Decision Making Process (FPP program)
• Safeguard to ensure the families’ voice is heard; and their views, and feelings inform such plans.
• To contribute to assessments and the formulation of plans for families and, when required, to prepare and present reports about their work in stakeholder meetings
• Conducting family mapping to identify family members who could support the resolution of safety concerns or maintain the child’s cultural and family connections.

About You

You’re someone who:

• Builds strong, respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
• Brings experience in crisis support
• Is passionate about making a positive impact and supporting others with heart and purpose

Essential selection criteria

1. Demonstrated ability to work with complex-needs families in the context of supporting the family's rights to culture being recognised so that children can grow up with a strong sense of identity, connection and to engage with them to work collaboratively to achieve agreed upon goals.
2. An ability to undertake case management tasks, such as assessment, referral, case planning and case review.
3. An understanding of the range of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal services in the areas of family violence, child welfare, health, education, housing and well-being.
4. Demonstrated ability to work in a cohesive, responsible and dynamic team.  
5. Qualification in Community Services (minimum Cert 3) or equivalent, or demonstrated knowledge and experience of minimum 12 months in the Child Protection industry or similar.

Requirements

• A Blue Card for working with children ('No Card No Start' policy applies)
• National police check
• Current drivers' license.
• LCS2 clearance withing 3 months of commencing employment (this is a risk-assessed role under the Child Protection Act 1999) 
• *IDENTIFIED POSITION - To perform this role it is essential that the person who holds the position be an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person. It is therefore a genuine occupational requirement under section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 that applicants are Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders. A Confirmation of Aboriginality will need to be provided.

What we offer 
Kalwun values the contributions of all staff and is committed to providing an inclusive workplace where all staff feel accepted, included and welcomed. Our Employees enjoy a variety of benefits including:

• Competitive salary of $99,500 + super pr annum
• Salary sacrifice of $15,900 per annum which can significantly increase your take home pay, plus meal and entertainment expenses of $2,650
• Company that is focused on improving the health and wellbeing of our community
• 5 weeks annual leave + extra paid personal leave
• A workplace where mob lead the way.

​​​​​​Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

To apply
Send us your CV and a short cover letter addressing the selection criteria.

Together, let’s build stronger futures for our kids, our families, and our communities.