First Nations Support and Access Officer

Flourish Australia is looking for a First Nations Support and Access Officer to join our team!

The First Nations Support & Access Officer is:

• Based in Liverpool
• Full-time- (76 hours per fortnight) Closed Term until 30 June 2027
• Working Monday to Friday
• Attractive hourly rates equivalent to SCHCADS Level 4 + 12% Super + Tax-Free Salary Packaging

This is an identified role under Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977. As such, Flourish Australia considers that identifying as Aboriginal to be a genuine occupational qualification under section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).

Who Are We Looking For?

The First Nations Support and Access Officer facilitates culturally safe engagement with First Nations people and 
communities and contributes to culturally responsive practice through respectful effective relationships with 
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Elders, and with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health 
Organisations (ACCHOs)

The role would suit you if you:

• Are undertaking or committed to undertaking a relevant qualification (Certificate or Diploma) and are looking for practical experience working in the community with people with a lived experience of mental health; 
• Have a strong local connection to or interest in working with First Nations communities;
• Have a willingness to engage in learning and skill development opportunities that work toward providing a high quality, person led recovery-oriented service that best supports people to live in their community.

What Will You Be Doing?

As the First Nations Support and Access Officer, you will work in the community with people who have a lived experience of mental health to develop their recovery journey to meet their hope and dreams. The role supports improved engagement with First Nations communities by providing culturally safe, trauma-informed and recovery-oriented supports that build trust, strengthen relationships and recognise the value of shared lived, cultural and community experience. 

This may involve:

• Using your knowledge and understanding of First Nations cultures within the context of supporting people with a lived experience of mental health.
• Supporting people to develop daily living skills such as preparing and cooking meals.
• Accompanying people on outings such as socialisation, recreational activities or attending appointments.
• Collaborating with and making referrals to other culturally appropriate support services so people can achieve their recovery goals.

For more information on the First Nations Support and Access Officer role, please read the position description.

Please note - successful candidates must maintain a Class C driver’s licence and proof of comprehensive insurance must be provided when required.

How Will We Support You?

• Supportive, culturally appropriate mentoring teams committed to helping you learn.
• Monthly reflective-practice sessions.
• Access to a range of training opportunities (e.g. Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Trauma Informed Care, Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training).
• Access to a culturally specific Employee Assistance Program, for confidential wellbeing support.
• Opportunities to potentially transition to our Peer or Mental Health Worker roles after completion qualifications. They are open to anyone who would like an opportunity to grow in this sector.

Who we are

Flourish Australia is one of Australia’s most experienced community mental health organisations. Our purpose is to support people to flourish, believe in their futures, and become contributing members of the community. Our services are comprehensive and highly personalised because each person’s experience will be different and their needs, as an individual, are unique. Together we set goals, connect individuals with the right people, support services and opportunities to meet their needs.

Our positions are open to all suitably qualified applicants. We have a strong commitment to the participation of people with lived experience of mental health issues in our workforce. We value diversity and encourage applications from suitably qualified people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities, LGBTQ+ communities and mature age candidates.

Selection Criteria

Essential:

1. Qualifications in human services or mental health and/or a minimum of 3-years equivalent relevant sector 
experience working with First Nations communities.
2. Demonstrated knowledge of, and connection with, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultures, communities 
and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), together with an understanding of cultural 
safety, self-determination, social and emotional wellbeing, and the impacts of colonisation, racism and systemic 
barriers on access to mental health and disability supports for First Nations people.
3. Demonstrated experience with facilitating multi-disciplinary coordinated planning where multiple providers work 
together to wrap-around services.
4. Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds 
and cultures, and to work as part of a multidisciplinary teams across multiple sites to develop collaborative 
relationships and networks between agencies
5. Demonstrated ability to build the capacity of staff, through training of groups and coaching of individuals.
6. Current unrestricted Australian drivers licence.

Desirable:
1. A personal lived experience of a mental health issue OR a carer of a person with a lived experience.
2. Developing expert knowledge of relevant legislative and funding contract requirements.

All appointments with Flourish Australia's Mental Health Services are subject compliance checks, previous employment reference checks, and satisfactory Australian residency status. All successful applicants will be required to declare any private or secondary employment prior to commencement in line with Flourish Australia's Private or Secondary Employment Policy. 

For further information, please contact Jessica Whitbread, Manager. E: Jessica.whitbread@flourishaustralia.org.au (please do not email applications)

The Benefits

• Level 4 (SCHCADS) on the Flourish Australia Enterprise Agreement (2018) 
• Tax-Free Salary Packaging available up to $15,900
• Generous leave provisions including 17.5% leave loading and 2 additional days of personal leave + extra day paid leave over Christmas/New Year + paid parental leave 
• Family-friendly and flexible working conditions
• Opportunities for career progression, professional development and training such as Mental Health First Aid and ASIST
• Employee Assistance Program for confidential wellbeing support
• Regular supervision (reflective practice), ongoing 1:1 mentoring, strong team support and a comprehensive onboarding program
• Workplace Community Groups such as our Rainbow Network for LGBTQ+ staff members & allies and YarnUp for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff members
• Personal Fleet pricing discounts with our preferred automotive supplier
• Employee discounts at 400+ popular retailers (Woolworths, Expedia, Myer, Kmart etc)

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please complete all the questions asked. You will then be required to attach a copy of your resume on the following page, we encourage you to have your resume up-to-date and available before you commence the application.

Applications close on the 1 October at 5pm.