Wandiyali is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation established in Awabakal (Newcastle) in 1997. As the largest accredited Aboriginal provider of Permanency Support Program (PSP) Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) services across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, the Hunter Region and Port Stephens, Wandiyali is committed to delivering culturally safe, trauma-informed and community-led supports for Aboriginal children, young people and families.

 

In addition to OOHC services, Wandiyali delivers a broad range of Family Preservation and community support programs, working in partnership with children, young people, families and communities to achieve safe, culturally strong and sustainable outcomes.

Please note we are hiring for Cessnock and Elermore Vale, please state your preference in your cover letter.

The Opportunity

Wandiyali’s Aboriginal Family Preservation (AFP) is funded by DCJ and is a key part of the broader child protection system, and wider service system that supports children and families and is considered a key lever in responding to the over representation of Aboriginal children in the foster care system. The primary objective of our AFP is keeping Aboriginal children safe at home with their families, connected to Culture, Community and Country.

Wandiyali’s AFP is grounded in our Social and Emotional Wellbeing Framework (SEWB) and draws on evidence informed practice to provide a Culturally responsive and holistic program. AFP recognises families’ strengths, capabilities and goals, with practitioners working alongside families to increase safety for children. The foundation of the AFP framework are the following core components:

• Engagement
• Case Management
• Family and Parent Support
• Therapeutic Support
• Child-focussed Support
• Healing
• Advocacy

The Practitioner is a key role in the AFP team, and has several key responsibilities:

• Provides trauma informed, Culturally responsive support to families with a range of complex needs promoting self-determination, family-led decision-making, including risk assessment, safety planning and goal setting
• Collaborates with the team on the development and implementation of evidence informed therapeutic interventions
• Contributes to AFP Quality Assurance processes
• Establishes effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders

 

The Benefits

As a Wandiyali employee, you benefit from additional career development support, including,

• 12 weeks induction.
• Ongoing training and opportunities for career advancement.
• Flexible home/office-based working arrangements (after 12-week induction)

You will also have the option to reduce tax and cost of living expenses through,

• Salary Packaging of up to $15,900 each FBT year
• Meal and Entertainment Salary Sacrifice of up to $2,650 each FBT year
• Employee Benefits programs providing discounts on a large variety of consumer services and products.

 

If you are looking for a career that is dedicated to truly making positive changes and you have experience working with Aboriginal children, young people, families, or communities we would like to hear from you.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

How to apply 

Please note a current WWCC, National Police Check (completed in the last 12 months), First Aid certificate including CPR, and a current Driver's License (P2 or above) is required prior to the successful applicant's start date.

• A current resume
•  A cover letter introducing yourself, and an overview of your experience working with vulnerable children and families in the context of Child Protection or the Community Services Sector.

Closing date: 5.00pm Wednesday 8 July 2026

Please note applications may close earlier than the stated date, if a suitable applicant is found.

For further information please contact;

Talana Kilroy

Senior People & Culture Officer 4957 5900 or talana@wandiyali.com.au

Essential criteria;

• A commitment to the Vision, Mission, and Values of our organisation
• Aboriginal or/and Torres Strait Islander AND/OR is Culturally confident and able to demonstrate their knowledge and experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the community
• Tertiary qualifications in Social Work, Community Services, Psychology, or a related field or equivalent demonstrated experience working with the complexities and correlates of child protection and with children and families in the preservation sector.
• Demonstrated understanding of the developmental needs of children, young people and families and a comprehensive understanding of the key risk factors of transgenerational trauma on childhood development.
• Demonstrated experience implementing structured frameworks of practice and Culturally responsive therapeutic interventions.
• Demonstrates qualities of strong communication, including conflict resolution and the capacity to build effective interagency relationships
• Excellent organisational and time-management and problem-solving skills
• Intermediate level of computer skills and experience using databases