Research for application

[kevinthetwin]

I don't know if I can do this yet, or if it will be appreciated at all... But I am going to start a thread that tracks the research that has been part of getting ready for a panel I hopefully will get.

I will start with the list I was given by Dreama and work out from there...

Please, anybody that has ideas or resourses they used, feel free to add then.

[kevinthetwin]

Originally Posted by kevinthetwin

I don't know if I can do this yet, or if it will be appreciated at all... But I am going to start a thread that tracks the research that has been part of getting ready for a panel I hopefully will get.

I will start with the list I was given by Dreama and work out from there...

Please, anybody that has ideas or resourses they used, feel free to add then.

•You will need to be able to demonstrate theoretical knowledge, ability to assess family and personal dynamics
•You also need to demonstrate an understanding of Australian child protection legislation.
•Be familiar with and being able to list key legislation used at work
•Demonstrate ability to prioritize work and work in a multi disciplinarian team environment.
•Your motivations in applying for the position and why you want to relocate to Australia
•Your understanding of the NT (location specific information - costs, personal life, climate etc)
•Your understanding of statutory vs non statutory work
•What are the elements of CP risk assessment?
•Your understanding of and some of the difficulties that you may find when working with indigenous Australians.
•Understand how the Indigenous Australians live currently – what is their housing like, what are common problems within the camps. What do you have to learn?
•Understanding of some of the difficulties associated with working in remote locations with limited resources.
•Be aware of how you engage with clients and your social work communication skills and style
•Your experience working within legislation and court guidelines
•Able to give clear concise examples of procedures you're currently undertaking in Child protection, working with looked after Children
•Be able to provide clear examples of work performed and how it relates to the positions in The NT

[kevinthetwin]

[QUOTE=kevinthetwin;730446•You also need to demonstrate an understanding of Australian child protection legislation.
[/QUOTE]

For a response to the question, "..must understand Australian Child Protection legislation, I put together the following:

In Canada, Child Protection is the responsibility of the Provincial Government. Those responsibilities and guiding legislation are laid out in the Child, Family and Community Services Act. Matters of Health, of Aboriginal Identity and self-government and key revenue streams are the responsibility of the Federal government, with ties to provincial specific actions and responsibilities.

It is my understanding that a similar set of laws and policies operate in Australia and then the Northern Territories. In Australia, there is the principal, Children and Young Peoples Act, (2008) ACT, with consideration given in the Adoption Act (1993), Human Rights Act (2004), Human Rights Commission Act (2005), Public Advocate Act (2005), and the Family Law Act (1975).

Then, for territorial legislation and Policy there is the Care and Protection of Children Act (2007) (NT) with further guidance being provided under the Information Act 2006 (NT), Disability Services Act 2004 (NT), Criminal Code Act 2006 (NT), and the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth).
Am I right in thinking that the Keeping Children and Young People Safe (dhcs/ACT (March 2001) provides the guidelines for definitions, legislative context, reporting requirements and lawful responses to reports of Child abuse and Neglect for all of Australia? Then in cases that happen specifically in the NT, the Care and Protection of Children Act 2007, delineates the principal roles and responsibilities, key definitions and powers of the delegated representatives of the CEO of Care and Protection services for the Northern Territorial government?
And then, as an overarching planning, research and measurement body, the Australian Institute for Family Studies has a strategic plan for 2009 – 2012 that works hand-in-hand with the Stronger Futures in Northern Territories plan that is NT’s response, follow up and follow through generated from The Northern Territories Emergency Response.

[kevinthetwin]

[QUOTE=kevinthetwin;730446
•What are the elements of CP risk assessment?
[/QUOTE]

What they have just brought into the NT is SDM - Structured Decision Making and it's quite good to help you assess the family and the issues at hand and whether the case should be considered high risk or not. The SDM has several parts - Two that are related to intake to decide whether things should screen in or out, and then at which time frame the response should be. Intake in Darwin uses those two. Then as caseworkers we have 3 that we use - Safety Assessment, Risk Assessment, and then Strengths and Needs Assessment. You can go back and use the tool again for reassessment with a little different structure. We just brought it in last year since I've been here and am finding it quite helpful to make decisions about risk.

You can read all about the SDM model here. Many states have adapted this here in Oz from what I understand. We just brought it to the NT in July of last year as a pilot project and now they are tweaking it to adapt to working in central Australia.

http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/docs...ection_sdm.pdf

[kevinthetwin]

How many calls, (% of those received), get entered on the system, and then what % result in removal and or other court action?
(Just roughly).

All calls are entered on the system. Then they are put through the screening process and many screen out and are not sent for investigation. Removals happen quite frequently but most are not long term, as we are often able to return children quite quickly once someone sober in the family is found. We can bring children into care for 72 hours without court action. We can also have the family sign an agreement to be in care while they sort their issues out, and that is also without court involvement. We can also ask the courts for a 2 week order called a Temporary Protection Order. I have no idea really how many come into care or go to court. I work in an office where I'm the only social worker right now so I'm a little out of touch with the main office where all of the other social workers work. I am in an office with just other police officers.

Social worky insight - well, if you haven't worked with a primarily Aboriginal population that has been marginalized and heavily impacted by British colonization it will be an eye opener. The main issues we deal with are extensive generational alcoholism, family violence, sexual abuse, and neglect. The first thing I knew when I landed was that I could not save anyone, simply help families discover their strengths to get through it all. I had worked with primarily Aboriginal people in northern Canada, which has its similarities but also drastic differences. Many of the families I work with here still live outside. Sure they have houses but when you pull up to the house, the beds are outside, as they cook over an open fire. There are very few home visits where you will be invited outside. Instead you will find yourself sitting on the ground under a nearby tree for shade, or talking at the fence. You will often not want to go inside, as community standards of clean are not what you will have ever come across in the UK. In 40C heat, you are best off outside and upwind.

There are many families that are happy for your help, while others will curse you and wish you dead. That simply comes with child protection work I reckon. I have not had any really bad experiences with the Aboriginal families I've worked with so far, but a lot can be said for the proper approach and being culturally sensitive. The most problematic families I've had here were white folks, as it would happen. There is a lot be learned from the local indigenous population, and a lot more to learn in the future. I really enjoy working with them, and see myself working and living in central Australia for a number of years.

[kevinthetwin]

[QUOTE=kevinthetwin;730446
•Your understanding of and some of the difficulties that you may find when working with indigenous Australians.
[/QUOTE]

History:
Aboriginal History Timeline Pre Early 20th Century.
Aboriginal History Timeline (1900 to 1969) - Australian Aboriginal History

Aboriginal History Timeline Late 20th. Century
Aboriginal History Timeline (1970 to 1999) - Australian Aboriginal History

Aboriginal History Himeline Recent
Aboriginal History Timeline (2000 to today) - Australian Aboriginal History

[kevinthetwin]

Originally Posted by kevinthetwin

•Understand how the Indigenous Australians live currently – what is their housing like, what are common problems within the camps.

Before: Contemporary Aboriginal living
Contemporary Aboriginal living

Now:
Territory Growth Towns. 20, (2008) - Working Futures - Growth Towns
Working Future - Territory Growth Towns

Outstations/Homelands. (more than 500) (2008) - Outstations/Homelands Policy
DHLGRS Home- Outstations homelands policy

[kevinthetwin]

[QUOTE=kevinthetwin;730446
•Your understanding of and some of the difficulties that you may find when working with indigenous Australians.
[/QUOTE]

Australian Aboriginal People - Indigenous Australians Peoples

[_shel]

Wow you really have been doing your research.
I have some NSW & national info if it might help? I might sort this out into a social work sticky when you are done, it will help me at least when we get back over there.

[kevinthetwin]

Originally Posted by _shel

Wow you really have been doing your research.
I have some NSW & national info if it might help? I might sort this out into a social work sticky when you are done, it will help me at least when we get back over there.

Yes please add anything anywhere... or correct what I missed...
It's is all good!
And good luck with your interview...
Not that one needs luck when they have skill and talent!