Position Description Indigenous Community Engagement Officer Edmund Rice Education Australia, Youth+ Background Youth+ is an initiative of Edmund Rice Education Australia. The Flexible Learning Centres (FLCs) offer a full-time and multiyear secondary education program for young people who have disengaged from mainstream schooling. Young people typically express a broad range of complex education and social needs and the FLCs respond with a variety of flexible and innovative teaching and learning practices including vocational planning and the development of social connectedness. The purpose of a FLC is to provide young people with a varied and holistic set of learning experiences which enable them to identify and pursue an individual transition to adulthood, employment, further education and training and social connectedness. Young people include indigenous and non-indigenous young people who are disengaged from mainstream education for a range of reasons and include: • • • • • • • • • • •

Those who have had contact with the juvenile justice system; Those in the care of the Department of Child Safety; Those with a history of trauma; Those with a history of extended periods of unexplained absences; Those who are highly mobile; Those with mental illness or at risk of engaging in self harming behaviours or substance abuse; Those who have been excluded or repeatedly suspended from school; Those who are homeless; Those who are young parents; Those with a generational history of early school leaving; Those with a generational history of unemployment;

See www.ereflc.org.au - Publications for further information. The Commonwealth Indigenous Advancement Strategy has funded three positions, to be located at Mount Isa, Townsville and Rockhampton FLCs. There is a high enrolment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people at each of these FLCs.

Primary Role: The Indigenous Community Engagement Officer (ICEO) reports to the Flexi Schools Network Principal through the Head of Campus. The ICEO has the responsibility to engage with: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, FLC staff, families, community organisations, elders, local industry, and higher education and other training providers to: •

Support improved school attendance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people

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Support improved educational achievement for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people; and

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Support improved post school transition outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.

The ICEO will work collaboratively and be supported by staff of the FLC including Teachers, Youth/Social Workers, and Heads of Campus. This position will implement the strategies as outlined in the approved Activity Plan which is part of the service agreement. To perform this role it is essential that the person who holds the position be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person. It is therefore a genuine occupational requirement under section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 that applicants are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders.

Qualifications and/or Experience • • • •

Positive Blue card for Child Related Employment. May have qualifications at Degree/Diploma/Certificate level (e.g. youth or community services) Experience in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and communities Drivers licence

Skills and Knowledge: Demonstrated skills and knowledge in: • • • •

Engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. Engaging with families, elders and organisations within the local community Working collaboratively as a member of a team. A range of verbal and written communication skills and an ability to adjust to be appropriate to the different groups

Scheduling work in accordance with project timelines and reporting requirements

Principles of Operation (Respect, Participation, Safe and Legal, Honesty): A primary responsibility for this role is to maintain fidelity to Operation by Principle and the best practice guidelines as articulated in the Youth+ Foundation and FLC Occasional Papers (available on the website)

Duties and Responsibilities: Typical duties and responsibilities include but are not restricted to: 1. Building Cultural Capability by: •

Working with young people to: • Nurturing their cultural identity, • Increasing their participation in school, and • Be able to identify personal circumstances and special support requirements of individual young people and contribute to the FLC’s case management discussions.

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Working with the FLC staff to: • Develop cultural knowledge and awareness of local customs and protocols, • Build relationships with elders, community and families, • Embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge, priorities and perspectives throughout the curriculum, and • Implement the Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy (2014 – 2017)

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Working with the FLC to engage family, community and elders by: • Developing local community and in-school educational programs to assist families to understand and support their young person’s education, health, nutrition and wellbeing • Facilitating Traditional Owner and elder engagement with FLC’s to ensure young people know who to go to in the community and understand local stories • Conducting social events at the FLCs e.g. Big Brekkies, BBQs • Supporting families to attend and contribute to parent/teacher communication and parent/teacher nights • Assisting elders, families and community members to participate in community events, school activities, significant cultural events • Other activities that can be built into the Activity Work Plan

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Working with Industry, Community Services and Education and Training organisations to engage their support for the FLC community by: • Developing partnerships that support community events, service, sponsorships, and other support for Building Cultural Capability activities • Strengthening referral relationships between the FLCs and local service providers responsible for supporting the wellbeing of young people and families

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Creating opportunities for part time and full time employment or work experience Improving young person understanding of available vocational education and training options

2. Post School Transition The Indigenous Community Engagement Officers works in close cooperation with FLC staff that support young people’s post school transitions, to ensure: • •

all Year 10, 11 and 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people have Personal Leaning Plans that include transition goals monitoring and reporting on the nature of the school transition made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people is completed.

3. Team participation/multidisciplinary practice/professional development • Participate in supervision with the Head of Campus • Support regular whole team reflective practice sessions including daily staff debrief • Operate within the context of Youth+ Policies and Procedures. • Participate in professional development that is relevant to the work of the FLC 4. Supports child protection procedures according to policy In consultation with the Head of Campus • •

Provide a support service to young people dealing with issues of child protection Provide a referral point for young people to appropriate support services as indicated

5. Administrative Responsibilities • • • •

Maintains appropriate records and prepares reports as required including the Activity Work Plan Maintains records as required on the database Support the development of personal learning plans Participates in YP cross agency meetings as required

6. Other identified duties specific to the role in this Flexible Learning Centre • Carries out duties and tasks that may be reasonably assigned by the Head of Campus from time to time.

Key Selection Criteria: 1. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Indigenous societies and cultures and an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in contemporary Australian society and the diversity of circumstances of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

2. Demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and effectively, including the requirement for proper negotiation and consultation with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on matters relevant to the delivery of education services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people; 3. Understanding of or the ability to acquire an understanding of working under four Principles of Operation: Respect, Safe and Legal, Honesty and Participation. (A brief explanation of Operation by Principles: All flexible learning centres operate under this framework and this is a significant point of difference from mainstream schooling. The Head of Campus will lead the school in this operational and philosophical approach. The principles establish a “common ground” among staff, young people and families where the means to resolve conflict, negotiate learning, recognise rights and responsibilities are modelled and explored, both within the group and individually. See Occasional Paper available on the website for further information.) 4. Demonstrated high level of ability in developing and implementing a range of flexible programs and activities which successfully engage parents and carers of young people disenfranchised from mainstream structures. 5. Proven ability to work autonomously and in an integrated manner as a member of a multi-disciplinary team and highly developed interpersonal skills in the context of relating to work colleagues, community members, young people and parents/carers in a cross-cultural environment. 6. Ability to work collaboratively with government and non government agencies 7. Current Queensland Driver’s License 8. Current Working With Children Blue Card Applications: A two page expression of interest which briefly addresses the above selection criteria and a curriculum vitae outlining a brief work history and the names of two (2) referees should also be attached. Please include a referee from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person and one from your current/most recent place of employment. Our organisation supports the rights of children and young people and is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment directed at ensuring their safety and wellbeing.