Careers

About the organisation

Every day, Life Without Barriers provides support and care to children and young people, as we work collaboratively with families, carers, and communities, to ensure they have the environment they deserve to grow. With a focus on ensuring safety and respect, this is an opportunity to make a positive and meaningful difference in these young lives and help pave a brighter future.

Life Without Barriers is a leading social purpose organisation of 8,000 employees working in more than 500 communities across Australia. We support children, young people and families, people with disability, older people, and people with mental illness. We work with people who are homeless and refugees and asylum seekers. Join a community of people dedicated to breaking down barriers.

We want to employ people who reflect the diversity of our clients to ensure we can support each client's individual needs and wants. We encourage applications from a diverse range of people, including those with disability.

About the role

The purpose of the Director, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Practice and Partnerships role is to provide strategic leadership within their State/Territory in relation to Life Without Barrier’s practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people and families, and support the development of meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOS).

This position is responsible for ensuring the successful transition of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people from Life Without Barriers back to community nationally, in partnership with both national and local jurisdictional teams in Victoria and Tasmania. 

Reporting to the Executive Director, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Practice and Partnerships and in consultation with the Executive Director/Director of each State, this role will work to achieve LWB’s commitment to transition the care of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people to Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) in line with Life Without Barriers’ Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Commitment.

This is a permanent full-time role, based in either Darwin or North Queensland.

Key responsibilities

• Provide practice and cultural expertise, guidance and support to the local leaders and teams in relation to child protection and out of home care provision for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people and their families.
• Work to progress LWB’s commitment to transition the care of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations.
• Support the deliverables of contracts and partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
• Develop and implement the state/territory transition roadmap in line with LWB’s national transition roadmap and guiding principles.  
• Actively participate in forums, both internally and externally, to support LWBs commitment to reconciliation and the transition of services.
• Promote and support cultural safety and culturally responsive practice in relation to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families, carers, and communities.
• Develop and support partnerships with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations.
• Report on Life Without Barriers’ Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) deliverables.
• Partner with local leaders and teams to implement initiatives aligned to the LWB Strategy, RAP, Family Matters and Closing the Gap.
• Monitor and report on CYF initiatives, projects and programs in States/Territories that the position is responsible for, with particular focus on the transition of services.

Skills and experience

• Must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent.
• Experience in a senior leadership role in child protection, out of home care, or related sector.
• Significant experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families, and communities.
• Proven experience in building and maintaining relationships and partnerships with key Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations, Elders, stakeholders, government agencies, accrediting bodies, Peak Organisations, and NGOs.
• Extensive knowledge and appreciation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Protocols in the relevant jurisdiction.
• Understanding of issues impacting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities in contemporary society.
• Relevant tertiary qualification in Social Science, Community Development, Social Work, or related discipline, and/or demonstrated knowledge and experience working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families, and communities in the context of child protection or out of home care.

Life Without Barriers considers that being Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement for this position under s 42 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1996 (NT), and s 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld).

Successful candidates will be required to clear probity checks including National Criminal History Record Check and Working with Children Check and relevant child protection checks per state.

Benefits

• Salary reflective of the importance of this role
• $21,500 car allowance per annum
• Monthly rostered day off 
• Generous Salary Packaging benefits - $15,900 per year, tax free!
• Be part of an organisation that champions diversity, inclusivity, and equality
• Discounted private health insurance.

How to Apply
Please include your resume and cover letter in one document. Click ‘Apply’ and follow the prompts. For any inquiries or assistance with adjustments, please contact Debbie Neil at recruitment@lwb.org.au.

Candidates with disabilities who require adjustments to the recruitment process or the application form in an alternate format can visit https://www.lwb.org.au/careers/ for information on our access and inclusion work and how to contact us directly.

Applications close midnight on Thursday 29^th May 2025