Summary:
The Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) Practice Lead provides strategic, cultural, and operational leadership for SEWB services within the Centre. This role is responsible for supervising and supporting SEWB staff, ensuring services are delivered in a culturally safe, trauma-informed, and holistic way for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, families, and communities.
Grounded in the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Framework, the SEWB Lead recognises wellbeing as inseparable from connection to land, culture, spirituality, ancestry, kinship, and community. The Lead will guide the team to walk alongside people across the lifespan experiencing distress, grief, trauma, or disconnection — supporting healing through cultural identity, advocacy, and access to whole-of-person support. This is a senior leadership position that ensures Aboriginal ways of knowing, being, and doing are embedded across practice, while strengthening workforce capacity, staff wellbeing, and interagency partnerships.
Responsibilities:
- Provide leadership, supervision, and mentoring to SEWB staff to ensure high-quality, culturally safe service delivery.
- Work collaboratively with the Mental Health Lead and Director of Operations, to ensure integration between mental health and social and emotional wellbeing service pathways.
- Lead workforce planning, staff development, and reflective practice within the SEWB team.
- Facilitate and oversee culturally grounded programs, yarning circles, and community-led healing initiatives.
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, Elders, and mainstream services.
- Represent SEWB services at interagency and community forums, advocating for Aboriginal voice and leadership.
- Support the development, monitoring, and evaluation of SEWB programs, contributing to service quality and cultural accountability.
- Contribute to organisational strategy, governance, and reporting, ensuring alignment with SEWB frameworks and community needs.
- Ensure staff wellbeing and cultural supervision are prioritised within the SEWB workforce.
- Maintain accurate, confidential records in line with cultural and organisational protocols.
- Contribute to service evaluation, quality improvement, and cultural accountability processes.
- Ensure adherence to relevant legislation, ethical guidelines, and organisational policies in all SEWB practices.
Any other responsibilities as required.
- Tertiary qualifications in Social Work, Psychology, or a related SEWB discipline (or equivalent demonstrated extensive relevant experience).
- Leadership/management qualifications (desirable, with emphasis on SEWB-specific leadership).
- Deep understanding of Aboriginal culture, history, social determinants of health, and relevant legislation.
- Leadership/management qualifications (desirable)
- Strong understanding of Aboriginal culture, history, and the social determinants of health.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
- Proven ability to lead and manage projects, with a focus on community outcomes.
- Commitment to ongoing professional development and staying current with best practices in the field.
EXPERIENCE
- Proven leadership experience in SEWB, mental health, or community wellbeing programs.
- Experience supervising Aboriginal staff and supporting workforce development.
- Experience engaging with Elders, families, and communities in culturally responsive ways.
- Demonstrated experience in program design, delivery, and evaluation.
- Experience navigating complex service systems (justice, housing, AOD, mental health).
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Strong leadership, mentoring, and team-building skills.
- Skilled in culturally grounded therapeutic practice, including yarning and storytelling.
- Ability to advocate for Aboriginal voices within multidisciplinary and governance settings.
- Organisational skills for managing programs, staff, budgets, and reporting.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, grounded in Aboriginal cultural protocols.
KNOWLEDGE
- Deep understanding of the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Framework and its seven domains.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed care, cultural safety, and intergenerational healing.
- Awareness of local cultural protocols, kinship systems, and community dynamics.
- Understanding of the interface between SEWB and mainstream health/mental health systems.