• This position is based in Alice Springs but will require travel within the Northern Territory as required
• Permanent Part-time position (12 – 15 hours per week)
• Skills level: 5.1 SCHADS award
• Salary Package: Will be inclusive of pro rata Leave Loading, pro rata annual leave (based on 5 weeks full time and Superannuation)
• Generous salary packaging benefits are available under FKCA’s PBI status
• A mobile phone will be provided for work purposes only
• Reports to: Operations Coordinator / Senior Advocate

Special Measures: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply

Organisation:

Foster and Kinship Carers Association NT (FKCA) is an independent community based incorporated body that empowers fosters and kinship carers through knowledge, support and advocacy.

As a specialist peak body for all foster and kinship carers, the core business of FKCA is to represent and advocate for the best interests of foster and kinship carers, both current and potential, ensuring policy and practice implemented by Territory Families is appropriate and fair and equitable for all foster and kinship carers, their families and the children in their care.

FKCA plays a pivotal role in providing advice and support for carers navigating often complex and difficult interactions with Territory Families to have issues and concerns addressed in a timely and appropriate manner.

FKCA is funded by Territory Families to provide carer recruitment, support and systemic and individual advocacy services to all carers regardless of background, culture, religion, gender, relationship status within the Northern Territory.

Position Summary:

This important role is to ensure that foster and kinship carers are supported through advocacy, support and provision of information to enable a sustainable caring environment to assist the child or young person in care reach their full potential.

The Advocate while based in Alice Springs will be required to at times, travel within the NT and manage cases throughout on key systemic and individual matters focusing on achieving positive outcomes and effective resolution of issues.

The Advocate will provide support and promote the organisation by building a strong support network, facilitating forums and advisory groups and providing training and professional development opportunities to our carer members.

The Advocate undertakes the professional practices that uphold the values and principles of Foster and Kinship Carers Association NT.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Advocacy:

• Undertake Advocacy by reviewing and investigating complaints complying with the Advocacy Practice Framework. Escalating or referring to the appropriate authorities when necessary
• Undertake systemic advocacy projects
• Plan and coordinate professional case management to ensure foster and kinship carers receive a quality advocacy and support service that is client centred, timely and responsive
• Maintain appropriate records and case notes within the in-house database
• Assist with compiling reports and provision of relevant data for reporting as required
• Liaise with relevant government and key non-government sector organisations to build networks and promote FKCA
• Assist with the planning and facilitation of carer forums, sector events, networking and social events
• Write and develop, a range of documents promotional material newsletter articles of a professional standard for carers that comply with FKCA’s branding policy, suitable for external communication to a variety of target audiences

General:

• Participate in relevant training and development activities as an effective team member
• Other duties where required and/or requested by management from time to time

Selection Criteria:

Experience – Skills and Knowledge:

• Ability to establish plans, processes, systems and programs to support effective advocacy with excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple and competing work tasks and deliver to agreed deadlines
• Ability to read and interpret legislation, government policies and procedures and provide advice
• High level communication, influencing and negotiation skills with a demonstrated capacity to deliver high quality documentation with consideration of confidentiality and privacy requirements
• Ability to engage and communicate with individuals and groups of people, tailoring communication to suit specific target groups and age ranges
• Demonstrated understanding of the challenges and experiences of people from diverse backgrounds including culturally and linguistically diverse, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
• Ability to develop and maintain strong, working relationships with key stakeholders, including carers, government, non-government and the corporate sector

Personal Attributes:

• Approaches tasks with a positive attitude
• Self-motivated, demonstrating initiative and can work well in a small team
• Ability to think creatively and develop innovative solutions

Qualifications:

Demonstrated experience and tertiary qualifications in a relevant field is essential.

• NT drivers licence
• Working with Children’s Card (Ochre Card) or the ability to obtain is mandatory for this role