ABOUT the ORGANISATION

Jigsaw Queensland Inc. is a not-for-profit organisation with a Management Committee comprising people directly affected by adoption. This governance model ensures that service delivery is responsive, appropriate and sensitive to the client community. Jigsaw Queensland Inc. was established in Australia and New Zealand in 1976 and incorporated in Queensland in 1988.

Since 1976 Jigsaw has provided information and support to thousands of people affected by adoption, including assistance and support with accessing adoption records, search and contact, peer group participation, and referral. Jigsaw offers support through telephone, email, and face-to-face contact; peer support meetings; workshops for people wanting to know more about the search and reunion journey; training for professionals; and training for people interested in facilitating peer support meetings. Jigsaw Queensland Inc. plays an active advocacy role on both state and national levels concerning issues around post-adoption.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Forced Adoption Support Service is a confidential information, support and referral service for people affected by past adoptions. The service supports people who were adopted, mothers and fathers who lost children to adoption, siblings, partners and immediate family members of people affected by forced adoption. The service complements and enhances existing services funded by State/Territory governments aiming to improve access to peer support, professional counselling, and records and family tracing. Specialist support, information and referral is provided via a national 1800 number for calls originating in Queensland.

The Information and Support Worker supports the Jigsaw Management Committee and the Team Leader in providing responsive, high-quality services to people affected by past adoptions, and collaborates with, and supports, Jigsaw Management Committee, the Team Leader, and staff.

ABOUT YOU

• A degree in social work, psychology, counselling or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in the provision of client services, including information provision, emotional support and short-term counselling and referrals via telephone, face-to-face and online.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the issues related to the experience of adoption.
• An understanding of the current post-adoption context in Australia.
• An understanding of the processes for accessing adoption information in Queensland.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including advocacy, referral and record keeping.
• Demonstrated experience working with local networks, agencies, and communities.
• Proven ability to use IT systems including personal information and case management systems (e.g. SRS/InfoXchange), data collection, word and email.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively within a team.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO

Nurturing and supporting our employees in every way possible.

Enquiries: Helen Angela Taylor. Phone 0400 661 580 (Mon-Fri).

A position description is attached.