Jabiru Community Youth and Children’s Services is a community-based non-profit organisation committed to providing community services and support to children, young people and families.

Currently, within our Communities team, we are looking for a passionate practitioner to take on the role of Community Worker - Student Welfare Worker. This role is a term by term, part time contract of a minimum 10 hrs (2 school days) a week commencing as soon as possible until end of term 4 (13 December 2019).

We are seeking a person who has at least 12 months experience working with school aged children and family support.

People from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds and people from culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Purpose of the Role:

To assist the local community, specifically Petrie Terrace State School in inner Brisbane, by creating project activities and support, in line with the Department of Education, Student Welfare Worker Initiative.  A Student Welfare Worker is a safe person for children and families to connect with at school.  Working with other members of the school’s support team, the Student Welfare Worker aims to create an environment which promotes the physical, emotional, social and intellectual development and well-being of all students.

The role entails specific outputs for the period of its tenure which will include but are not limited to the following:

• Social and/or emotional support;
  • assisting students to develop knowledge, understanding and skills that support learning, positive behaviour and constructive social relationships through social skills programs.
  • providing students, their families and staff with support and or appropriate referrals, (with consent from the school Principal) in difficult situations such as during times of grief or when students are facing personal or emotional challenges.

• Mentoring;
  • acting as a role model for students and assisting in the development of supportive relationships for, with, and among students.
  • delivering peer leadership and support programmes
• Community development;
  • enhancing the links between the school and its community, working with school-based support staff and community-based organisations and networks to support students. 

• Educational support;
  • assisting with classroom activities (under the direction of a teacher) where involvement by the chaplain/student welfare worker provides further social, emotional support for those students who may be at risk of disengagement.

• Extra-curricular activities
  • participating in general school activities, for example, camps, excursions, sports days or coaching team sports.

We are looking for a person with the following attributes/requirements:

• A sense of humour that combines well in a professional setting.

• A willingness to grow and develop as a person and as a community development worker.

• A firm commitment to reflective practice: personal & professional development.

• Demonstrated knowledge of child development across the (5-12) years.

• Demonstrated skills and experience in child focused group work.

• Demonstrated child, family and group centred practice framework.

• A commitment to practices that uphold the value of mutual and respectful relationships with colleagues and community stakeholders.

• Demonstrated social justice values and a willingness to listen to the diversity of experience of the children, families and workers of the community, including those who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, those who come from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those who have a diversity of gender and or sexual identities.

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of the service systems available to local community members and a demonstrated ability to support individuals and families to access the information and resources needed to support them.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain and build upon linkages with key stakeholders. The work is based in Education Queensland State Schools, applicants must abide by the requirements of the Public Service Act 2016 and Education Queensland Code of Conduct. Mandatory requirement

• Understanding in the principles of community development and positive views as to what comradeship with people in your team means, would be highly desirable.

• Being approachable to all students, staff and members of the school community.

• A demonstrated ability to work both within a team and autonomously.

• Ability to work collaboratively in settings outside of your direct team regularly will be essential to generating the outcomes needed for this service.

• Working with Children Check Paid Employee Blue Card (authorisation by Queensland Government Blue Card Services to work with under 18-year olds). Mandatory requirement

• Bachelor degree (eg.Human Services, Behavioural Science, Social Work, Psychology or equivalent).Mandatory requirement

• at least 12 months experience working with school aged children and family support. Mandatory requirement

• Current driver’s licence. Mandatory requirement