Child and Family Advocate

A career with Bravehearts means working with dedicated, multidisciplinary teams that share your goal of improving the future for Australian children.

About Bravehearts:

For over 25 years, Bravehearts has been a leading voice in child protection. The impact of our work drives us towards our Vision of a world where people, communities, and systems all work together to protect children from sexual abuse. We are dedicated to creating a brighter, safer future where children are free from sexual harm.

About the Child and Family Advocate position:

We are currently seeking an experienced and professional Child and Family Advocate to join the Bravehearts team, based at our Strathpine office. In this role, you will assist children, carers and families to access services and support following disclosure of child sexual assault, investigation, treatment and beyond. You will collaborate with government and non- government service providers to help families to navigate the service system and provide therapeutic support for parents and carers.

This is a part time position, working 15.2 hours per week. Work hours are flexible and can be tailored to accommodate personal commitments, while ensuring continuity of care for clients.

Key Responsibilities In This Role:

• Maintain regular and proactive contact with each child, young person and family.
• Advocate on behalf of and alongside children, young people and families providing choice of interventions and services, and refer to those services as required.
• Promote the wishes, thoughts and opinions of children, young people and families to enable their inclusion in the decision making process.
• Provide ongoing liaison, negotiation, consultation and relationship building with key stakeholders including Queensland Police Service, Child Safety, PACT, Aboriginal health services, community support services, therapists, school staff and medical staff.
• Undertake comprehensive holistic assessments of children, young people and their families in order to develop an individual care plan.
• Assist families with case management and crisis intervention as necessary.
• Record and maintain accurate client records in Bravehearts client and case management systems.

Skills and experience required to succeed:

• Relevant qualification in Social Work, Psychology or other relevant field which incorporates foundational knowledge in counselling and both family and system engagement skills.
• One to two years’ work experience with children and/or parents/carers who have either experienced or witnessed trauma.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, complemented by strong negotiation and mediation abilities.
• An understanding of the issues of people impacted by child sexual abuse and trauma.
• An understanding of working within a mandatory reporting framework.
• Must have or be willing to apply for a Working with Children Check (Blue Card) and National Police Certificate.
• Demonstrate Bravehearts’ values of Integrity, Respect, Energy, Empathy and Bravery.

Why join the Bravehearts team?

• You will play a key role in advancing our mission to prevent and treat child sexual abuse.
• You'll join a supportive and compassionate team that, despite the seriousness of our work, know how to have fun and create a positive environment.
• We pay in line with the SCHADS award, and this role is classified at social and community Level 5 (plus super).
• NFP salary packaging which reduces the amount of tax you need to pay (more money in your bank account each pay!).
• Self-care, professional development and birthday leave days.
• Confidential support through our employee assistance program and wellbeing services.
• We are an organisation that genuinely cares about its people.

How To Apply?

• Please include a covering letter with your application that summarises your experience across the key responsibilities.
• We encourage you to access the full position description on our careers page before applying: https://bravehearts.org.au/careers/positions-available/
• If you need us to make any special adjustments so that you can fully participate in our recruitment process, please either outline them in your application or confidentially via recruitment@bravehearts.org.au

We are a child-safe organisation and have a zero tolerance to any form of child abuse. All Bravehearts employees must have a current Working with Children Check (relevant to the state/territory where the work is being completed) and a satisfactory National Criminal History Check. These will need to be completed prior to commencement.

We foster a work environment that is inclusive and diverse so if you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander or come from any other diverse or minority group, we'd love to receive your application.