Social and Emotional Wellbeing Coordinator

Employing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People at Ngwala is essential to maintaining culturally aligned services. We STRONGLY encourage Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander people to apply for this role and others as they become available.

About Ngwala:

Ngwala Willumbong is a leading provider of culturally safe and effective support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We are committed to supporting individuals affected by alcohol and other drug misuse, providing them with pathways to recovery through holistic and culturally appropriate rehabilitation programs.

About the Role:

The Senior Therapeutic Wellbeing Specialist provides advanced culturally responsive, trauma-informed and strengths-based therapeutic support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, families and communities accessing Ngwala services.

The position combines professional therapeutic practice with an Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) approach, recognizing the interconnected importance of body, mind and emotions, family and kinship, community, Culture, Country and spirituality in Aboriginal health and wellbeing.

The Senior Specialist provides higher-level responses for complex matters, advanced therapeutic assessment and intervention, secondary consultation, practice guidance, program development, group delivery, stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement within their professional qualifications, competence and scope of practice.

The position works collaboratively across Ngwala’s multidisciplinary services and with external health, mental health, AOD, family violence, housing and community service providers to ensure coordinated, culturally safe and accountable responses.

Key Responsibilities:

Advance Practice and Program Support

• Provide advanced therapeutic responses for clients with complex and intersecting social and emotional wellbeing needs.
• Support referral review, complex-case planning and coordinated service responses in consultation with the Southern Program Manager.
• Provide practice guidance, case consultation and professional support to SEWB Therapeutic Practitioners without holding formal staff supervision or performance-management responsibilities.
• Assist practitioners to identify appropriate therapeutic approaches, referral pathways and risk-management strategies for complex presentations.
• Support coordinated responses where clients are involved with multiple Ngwala programs or external services, ensuring roles, actions and follow-up responsibilities are clearly understood.
• Coordinate and deliver individual, family and group-based therapeutic activities across Southern and Bayside locations.
• Contribute to program planning, implementation, review, evaluation and continuous quality improvement.

Therapeutic Practice and Complex-Case Support

• Provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed, strengths-based and person-centered therapeutic interventions within professional scope of practice.
• Undertake holistic SEWB assessments and develop individualised therapeutic wellbeing plans in partnership with clients.
• Provide secondary consultation and case review to staff supporting clients with complex and intersecting needs.
• Recognise, assess and respond appropriately to risk, including deterioration in mental wellbeing, family violence, suicide or self-harm concerns and other immediate safety issues.
• Develop clear safety, escalation and referral actions in partnership with clients and relevant services when complex or immediate risks are identified.
• Ensure matters requiring specialist or clinical intervention are escalated and referred through appropriate pathways.

Culturally Responsive Practice

• Embed Aboriginal understandings of Social and Emotional Wellbeing within assessment, intervention, practice guidance and program design.
• Recognise Culture, Country, community, spirituality, family and kinship as protective factors and sources of strength and healing.
• Promote Aboriginal self-determination, choice, dignity, cultural identity and culturally safe engagement.
• Work collaboratively with Aboriginal staff, Elders, cultural knowledge holders and community representatives where appropriate.
• Adapt therapeutic approaches to each client’s cultural identity, family and kinship connections, community context, communication preferences and healing goals.

Compliance, Safety & Organistional Responsibilities

• Ensure practice is consistent with Ngwala policies, funding requirements, MARAM, CIMS, mandatory reporting and relevant professional and legal obligations.
• Escalate serious incidents, clinical risks, staff safety concerns and service-delivery issues to the Southern Program Manager.
• Participate in internal and external meetings, audits, performance appraisal, professional development and staff training.
• Contribute practice knowledge to service procedures, resources, reporting and quality-improvement activities when requested.

Skills & Experience:

• Demonstrated knowledge of Aboriginal culture, community, self-determination and Aboriginal SEWB frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience working with Aboriginal people and communities in a culturally safe and respectful manner.
• Demonstrated experience providing advanced therapeutic responses for people with complex and intersecting needs.
• Demonstrated skills in therapeutic assessment, intervention planning, secondary consultation, complex-case coordination and risk escalation.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practice, grief and loss, mental health, AOD, family violence, homelessness and other intersecting needs.
• Knowledge of MARAM, CIMS, mandatory reporting, suicide and self-harm response, privacy and professional boundaries.
• Ability to review client outcomes, documentation quality and service information and provide practice-based recommendations.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, written communication, organisation and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgement and contribute effectively to a multi-skilled team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, client management systems, mobile technology and data reporting.

Mandatory Requirements:

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a related field
• Demonstrated experience providing therapeutic responses, complex-case consultation and program support
• Current Victorian driver’s licence
• National Police Certificate (not older than 3 months)
• Victorian Employment Working with Children Check

What We Offer:

• Full Time role – 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Friday
• Social and Community Services Level 5
• NFP Salary Packaging Benefits up to $15,900
• An opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• A supportive and culturally inclusive work environment.
• Ongoing professional development and training.

How to Apply:

If you are passionate about supporting individuals on their recovery journey and promoting cultural safety, we would love to hear from you. Please provide the following:

• A cover letter outlining why you would be a great fit for this role
• A resume which outlines your educational and employment background

*Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit pre-employment checks including a Police Check (no older than 3 months), Victorian Employment Working with Children Check, Health Declaration and/or a medical check as well as right to work in Australia Check*.