The Community Connector Team Leader provides operational, cultural and service leadership to the Connector Program within Tullawon Health Service. The role leads the Elder Care Community Connectors and NDIS Remote Community Connector to deliver culturally safe, person-centred and community-led support that improves access to aged care, disability and community services for Yalata Anangu.
The Community Connector Team Leader promotes self-determination and advocacy for Elders, people living with disability, their families and carers. The position is responsible for coordinating referral pathways, supporting access to My Aged Care and the NDIS, supervising staff, monitoring service quality, and ensuring compliance with organisational, funding and accreditation requirements.
The role contributes to strengthening community wellbeing through collaborative partnerships, workforce development, continuous quality improvement and culturally responsive service delivery
Leadership and Workforce Development
-
Provide leadership, guidance and day-to-day operational oversight of the Community Connector Team.
- Supervise, mentor and support Elder Care Community Connectors and the NDIS Remote Community Connector.
- Conduct regular supervision, case reviews and annual performance appraisals.
- Support staff wellbeing and foster a positive, culturally safe and trauma-informed workplace culture.
- Identify learning and development opportunities and support staff participation in training and professional development.
- Assist with recruitment, induction and onboarding of Connector Team staff.
- Promote accountability and continuous improvement across the Connector Program.
Service Coordination and Program Oversight
- Coordinate the daily operations of the Connector Program to ensure efficient and equitable service delivery.
- Manage referral pathways and monitor client access to aged care, disability and community supports.
- Monitor caseload allocation, service demand and client outcomes.
- Provide advice and support to staff managing complex cases and service access barriers.
- Ensure services are delivered in accordance with best practice principles and organisational policies.
- Monitor program performance and contribute to service planning, reporting and evaluation activities.
- Identify service gaps, emerging community needs and opportunities for program development.
Elder Care and Community Support
- Support Elders to understand and access My Aged Care, aged care assessments and aged care supports.
- Assist clients who require intensive support to navigate aged care systems.
- Advocate for Elders experiencing barriers to accessing services.
- Maintain strong relationships with assessment organisations, service providers and government agencies.
- Ensure service delivery is aligned with client goals, strengths and cultural preferences.
- Support client wellbeing through a holistic approach that considers physical, emotional, social and cultural needs.
NDIS and Disability Services
- Support people living with disability to access and navigate the NDIS and other disability supports.
- Assist staff and clients with complex NDIS access, planning and service coordination issues.
- Promote disability inclusion and awareness within the community.
- Strengthen referral pathways between disability services, health services and community supports.
- Build and maintain relationships with NDIA representatives and disability service providers.
- Support positive participant outcomes through ongoing engagement and advocacy.
Cultural Leadership
- Champion culturally safe, community-controlled service delivery.
- Promote the principles of Aboriginal self-determination and holistic health care.
- Ensure services reflect the cultural values, priorities and needs of Yalata Anangu.
- Build respectful and effective working relationships with Elders, families, carers and community leaders.
- Support staff to develop and maintain cultural capability.
- Contribute to community engagement activities and service planning initiatives.
Quality, Compliance and Risk Management
oAged Care Quality Standards
oSerious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS)
oNDIS Practice Standards (where applicable)
oOrganisational policies and procedures
oFunding and reporting requirements
- Lead continuous quality improvement activities within the Connector Program.
- Participate in accreditation preparation and quality review processes.
- Ensure accurate, confidential and timely documentation and data collection.
- Monitor and investigate incidents, complaints and service risks in accordance with organisational procedures.
- Promote safe work practices and compliance with workplace health and safety requirements.
Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement
- Develop and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Collaborate with healthcare providers, community organisations, government agencies and service providers.
- Represent Tullawon Health Service at meetings, forums and community events as required.
- Strengthen partnerships that improve access to services and community outcomes.
- Promote integrated and coordinated service delivery across Tullawon's programs.
KEY PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES
The Community Connector Team Leader will be expected to:
- Maintain effective supervision and support of all Connector staff.
- Ensure timely allocation and management of referrals.
- Improve access to aged care and disability services for community members.
- Achieve compliance with quality and accreditation requirements.
- Support completion of mandatory training and performance reviews.
- Maintain accurate service records and reporting requirements.
- Foster positive stakeholder relationships and community engagement.
- Contribute to continuous quality improvement initiatives and program development.
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA
Essential Skills and Abilities
- Demonstrated leadership and team management skills.
- Ability to supervise, mentor and develop staff.
- Strong organisational, planning and workload management skills.
- High-level communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to manage complex client matters and competing priorities.
- Strong advocacy skills and commitment to client-centred practice.
- Ability to build trusted relationships with Aboriginal communities.
- Ability to prepare reports, maintain records and utilise client management systems.
Essential Knowledge
- Understanding of Aboriginal health and wellbeing principles.
- Knowledge of the challenges experienced by Aboriginal Elders and people living with disability in remote communities.
- Understanding of My Aged Care, aged care services and disability supports.
- Knowledge of person-centred, strengths-based and trauma-informed practice.
- Understanding of cultural safety and community-controlled health principles.
- Knowledge of quality improvement and risk management principles.
Essential Experience
- Experience working with Aboriginal people and communities.
- Experience in aged care, disability, health or community services.
- Demonstrated leadership, supervision or team coordination experience.
- Experience supporting vulnerable clients and advocating for service access.
- Experience working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders and service providers.
Desirable Experience
- Experience working within an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO).
- Experience working in remote or very remote communities.
- Existing relationships and cultural knowledge of the Yalata Anangu community.
- Experience with quality systems, accreditation or compliance processes.
- Ability to communicate in Pitjantjatjara.
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Diploma in Community Services, Ageing Support, Disability, Health or a related discipline.
- Current First Aid Certificate.
- Current CPR Certificate.
- Current Driver's Licence.
- National Police Check.
- Working With Children Check.
- NDIS Worker Screening Check (where required).
Desirable
- Certificate IV in Leadership and Management.
- Certificate IV in Ageing Support.
- Certificate IV in Disability.
- Training in Trauma-Informed Practice.
- Training in Quality, Risk or Compliance Management.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- Must be over 18 years of age
- Must pass a National Police Record Check throughout the period of employment
- Must pass and hold a Working with Children Check throughout the period of employment
- Must hold a current Drivers Licence (manual)
- Must pass safety screening checks as required based on the position and / or as requested by the funding body
- Must hold valid Australian working rights (citizenship, residency, or current working visa)
- All positions are subject to funding
- Ability to undertake commercial travel with overnight stays
- All positions are subject to an initial six (6) months probationary period
- Other terms and conditions are in line with the relevant industrial instrument and internal policies
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
The Community Connector Team Leader reports and takes directions from the Aged Care and NDIS Manager. Oversees and gives direction to the Community Connector Team
The Community Connector Team encompasses the following positions:
- Community Connector Team Leader (this position)
- Elder Care Community Connector
- NDIS Remote Community Connector
The Community Connector Team Leader works collaboratively with:
Internal
- Aged Care & NDIS Team Leader
- Personal Care Workers
- Aboriginal Health Workers
- Clinic Team
- Allied Health Staff
- Social Services Team
- Tullawon Health Service leadership and administration staff
All Tullawon Health Programs — to promote integrated service delivery and organisational consistency.
- YAAC — to support culturally appropriate youth and community engagement initiatives.
- SA Housing — to collaborate on housing support and client accommodation needs.
- SAWCAN — to strengthen community partnerships and coordinated support services.
- NACCHO — to align with national Aboriginal health strategies and best practice approaches.
- SAPOL — to support safety, wellbeing, and coordinated responses for vulnerable clients.
- DHS (Connecting Communities Program) — to ensure program alignment, reporting, and delivery requirements are met.
- External service providers and assessors — to coordinate referrals, assessments, and service access for clients.
MANDATORY CONDUCT
Workplace Health and Safety
- Ensure, within your capability, the health and safety of yourself, staff and other persons in the work areas for which you are responsible.
- Not to intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety and welfare in compliance with the WHS Act or other legislation.
- To report all hazards, accidents or incidents which have resulted or may result in an injury to others or damage to property.
- To be familiar with emergency and evacuation procedures and to participate in regular training in safety procedures.
In-service education programs
It is the responsibility of each staff member to:
- Attend any mandatory training.
- Attend fire drills annually.
- Attend an organisation-wide in-service when held.
- Attend appropriate cultural awareness training within the first twelve months of employment.
Continuous quality improvement:
Each staff member will:
- Participate in appropriate quality activities.
- Commit to providing quality service by taking personal responsibility for adhering to current standards of practice.
- Participate in external review requirements (e.g. accreditation) to enhance continuous quality improvement.
Smoke-free Environment:
Smoking is prohibited in buildings and vehicles within Tullawon Health Service. Tullawon Health Service is progressing towards a smoke-free environment. Smoking in and around Tullawon Health Service grounds is prohibited outside designated smoking areas.
Aboriginal Lands Trust Regulations (Yalata Reserve):
A person must not, while they are on any part of Yalata Reserve, possess or consume alcoholic liquor.
A person on any part of Yalata Reserve must not sell or supply alcoholic liquor to another person.
A person must not, while they are on any part of Yalata Reserve:
- Inhale or consume a regulated substance; or
- Possess a regulated substance for inhalation or consumption.
A person must not, while they are on any part of Yalata Reserve, sell or supply a regulated substance to another person knowing or there being reasonable grounds for suspecting that the other person intends to;
- Use the regulated substance for inhalation or consumption; or
- Sell or supply the regulated substance for inhalation or consumption.
Please note there are circumstances in which the regulations above may not apply; for more information on this, go to Part 3 of Aboriginal Lands Trust Regulations, which can be found at https://www.legislation.sa.gov.au
Tullawon Health Service Inc. is a not-for-profit, Aboriginal community-controlled health service located in the remote Aboriginal Community of Yalata in South Australia. Dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of the local community, Tullawon Health Service offers a wide range of essential services, including primary health care, aged care, social services, and emergency response, ensuring the improvement of the well-being and health of the residents in this remote region.
