About us...

Act for Kids is a prominent provider of free prevention, professional therapy and support services for children who have suffered abuse and support for families at risk. With over 25 centres nationally, we have supported thousands of children and their families for more than 30 years. In 2019 - 2020 we provided services to 44,894 people, including over 29,000 children.

Our unique multidisciplinary teams provide integrated therapy, sexual abuse counselling, safe houses in remote Indigenous communities, information, advice and referral services, intensive family support and preschools designed for children with additional development needs to ensure we set them up for success at school.

About the job...

We are seeking applications from experienced individuals with a strong passion for caring for children.

The House Parent for Kowanyama Safe House is part of the SafeKIDS program. You will join a professional, compassionate and friendly team based in the Cape York Aboriginal Community of Kowanyama. The role is full time and fixed term until 31 December 2023. Extension of employment contract beyond December 2023 is subject to the continued successful government funding of the program.

Key responsibilities:

• Direct care to children placed in the Safe House by looking after their emotional, physical, cultural, relational and spiritual needs.
• Meal preparation, establishing routine, continued access to school and learning activities.
• Fostering ongoing engagement and teaching children new skills including; making fun leisure and recreational activities for children to participate in.
• Respond calmly to stressful situations and supporting children who are upset and who may have difficult behaviours.

The working week for this role is Thursday through to Monday including weekends.

About you...

• Minimum Certificate IV in Child Youth & Family Intervention or other relevant recognised qualification;
• Completion of the Hope & Healing Foundations Framework online;
• Suitability Check (or willingness to obtain) to be engaged in the provision of care services by licensed out-of-home care service providers under the Child Protection Act 1999 and Child Protection Regulation 2011;
• Demonstrated skill, ability and experience in caring for and raising children;
• Possess the necessary qualities and characteristics to engage in a two-way mentoring model with the Kowanyama cultural context;
• A demonstrated ability to put child rearing theories into practice;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality about our work with children and families;
• A good understanding of Indigenous engagement and protocols within the community;
• Ability to learn about the child protection system and apply learnings in the workplace;

With over 70% of our SafeKIDS team members identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, we encourage and welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

About the pay...

• Position is classified Level 3.1 – 3.4 under the SCHCADS award;
• Salary range is $61,304 - $ 65,728 plus 9.5% superannuation (pro-rata for part-time).
• In addition, as a registered Not for Profit/Charity, we offer excellent salary packaging options through RemServ which can significantly increase your take home pay.

A relocation package may be negotiated with the right applicant.

About the benefits...

• Overall winner of HRD Employer of Choice 2019 (100-499 employees)
• Winner of HRD Employer of Choice 2019 in (1) Health & Wellbeing (2) Leadership (3) Work-Life Balance
• Strong values based organisation
• Excellent professional development options (including annual professional development fund opportunities)
• Employee Assistance Program including Health & Well-being Portal
• Paid parental leave and study assistance
• Excellent family friendly and flexible work environment.

Blue Card Requirement…

From 31 August 2020, you are required to have a current blue card to commence employment at Act for Kids in Queensland. Please visit Queensland Blue cards for more information.

About applying...

Click on ‘Apply for this job’ to submit an application or for more information about the role, contact Rebecca Daley, Workforce Development Specialist on 0408 511 154 or [email protected], using the subject line: SafeKIDS House Parent - Kowanyama enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.