School Inclusion Advocate
Position Description
Reporting to:
Team Leader
Work location:
Greater Darwin
Department:
54 reasons
Budget holder:
No
Team:
Child and Family Wellbeing
Direct reports:
Nil
About 54 reasons
54 reasons is Australia's leading child rights organisation, proudly part of the Save the Children Australia Group and global movement. We’re here to make sure that everyone understands their rights. So that children and young people have their rights met and thrive, in all their diversity.
We champion the children, young people and families we work with. We are inspired by the curiosity and creativity of children, and motivated by the love of those who care for them. With the child’s voice at the centre, we provide quality services to children and their caregivers, advocating with them so that children develop, learn, and are connected, safe and confident.
Our people are proudly local, and as diverse as the communities we serve - in every state and territory, and across regions, remote areas and capital cities. With operations in every state and the NT, our services span the early years and school engagement, youth justice, domestic and family violence and family support, and our practice is grounded in child rights and participation.
Role Purpose
54 reasons’ Student Advocacy Pilot Project works with families of children up to the age of 18, who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, exclusion from education. The School Inclusion Advocate provides an impartial advocacy service for students in Northern Territory Government (NTG) schools, and their families, to ensure they can access and participate in education.
The Department of Education’s Framework for Inclusion has a commitment to ‘empower and encourage families to be more actively involved in decision-making about their children’s education by listening to the voices of children and families and providing accurate and timely information about the options available for their children’.
The Student Advocacy Project approach is child-centred, strengths-based and solution focused, working collaboratively with students, parents/carers and schools to negotiate agreement so that all students can successfully access and participate in education.
Key Areas of Accountability
Role requirements
Implement the Student Advocacy Project in the way it is designed. This will include: Identifying the student/family/school strengths, establishing goals towards achieving the child’s increased inclusion in education and reviewing progress towards these goals Working with the student and family to understand their concerns and aims Helping the student and family to understand their legal and other rights and responsibilities Assisting students and their families to understand and navigate the educations system, practices and processes Working with schools and the department beside/with, and on behalf of the student and family, to resolve issues relating to access, adjustments and provision of safe and supportive environments Referring the student and their family to support networks, organisation and information sources Promoting awareness of and compliance with the relevant legislation in schools and the department Work with relevant and appropriate stakeholders to contribute to the best educational outcomes for students (i.e. Department of Education, NTG Schools, Service Providers, Peak Organisations) Collect and record program data and information for the purpose of accountability, planning, evaluation and reporting requirements, and directly support the team to ensure the timely submission of all internal and external program reports Attend meetings externally with stakeholders and internally with the Team Leader to discuss progress, achievements and raise any issues or concerns Provide Systemic Advocacy on behalf of children, parents and or carers based on case type themes and trends, service gaps and matters relating to children’s rights to a meaningful and safe education Build and maintain strong networks and collaborative service delivery partnerships, including for the delivery of group activities, and effective referral pathways Establish and maintain collaborative and respectful relationships with families and stakeholders Carry out other duties in line with the philosophy and objectives of the program and as directed by the Team Leader
Health, safety, security and risk management
Be a role model for safety and security and comply with all workplace safety policy, procedure, work instructions and training Act safely at all times Report all incidents, injuries and potential hazards in a timely manner Participate in, and contribute to, health and safety awareness and improvements Be aware of, document and manage the risks associated with your team’s programs and workplaces and ensure appropriate elimination or mitigation measures are applied
Child protection and safeguarding requirements
Maintain a child safe environment at the workplace and safeguard children’s rights, acting in the best interests of children at all times Comply with the Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct and child safeguarding and protection policies and standards (click here to view further details) Demonstrate the highest standards of behaviour towards children in both your private and professional life Never abuse the position of trust that comes with being a part of the Save the Children family Maintain a safe and positive relationship at all times when working with children and young people Respond to any concerns for the safety or wellbeing of a child in a program in accordance with internal reporting processes
Person Specification
Desirable knowledge or experience
Working knowledge and understanding of the NT Education Act and Education Regulation 2015, the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, the Disability Standards for Education 2005 and relevant privacy and information sharing legislation Demonstrated negotiation and dispute resolution skills and experience that has led to satisfactory outcomes for all parties Understanding of relevant Federal and State legislation and how it relates to children with additional support needs in education Experience working with families from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background and young parents Understanding of government and non-government organisations within the local area, including access to services for families
Required qualifications and/or accreditations
Qualification in a relevant field such as Psychology, Social Work, Social Welfare, Health or allied areas (Diploma as minimum requirement)
Additional Information
Any offer of employment at 54 reasons will be subject to a satisfactory National Police Record Check and, where required, a Working with Children Check Employees must sign on to Save the Children Australia’s Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct Ongoing performance and employment will be measured against KPIs, values and demonstrated behaviours outlined above 54 reasons is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Driver’s Licence:
Required
Travel:
Within Greater Darwin region
Working with Children Check:
Required
Assets:
Phone
This vacancy is archived.