Job Title

BDAC is an ACCO (Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation) registered as a member under the umbrella of VACCHO (Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation) and represented nationally through NACCHO (National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation). BDAC was founded to represent and provide services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living on Djaara Country. BDAC has a responsibility to ensure growth of services, development of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, better and improved health outcomes for our people, improved quality of life and be a lead agency in providing selfdetermination employment and career pathways for Aboriginal people. What We Are Offering Full time Fixed term 12 months Pay rate aligned with SCHADS Grade5 Access to Salary Packaging 12% Superannuation Supportive work environment Ongoing training and development opportunities About the Position This identified role will further develop the essential cultural service element within the Aboriginal Children in Aboriginal Care (ACAC) model at BDAC. The role will involve engaging families, finding and activating family support networks as well as negotiating with families where there are significant concerns for the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. The Family Connector will address identified barriers to Aboriginal family connection for Aboriginal children on Child Protection orders. The Family Connector will contribute to identifying and establishing ways of better connecting families that have been subject to the effects of colonisation for Aboriginal peoples and support healing for those families. The role will play a vital role in ensuring Aboriginal children in outofhome care remain connected to their roots, family, and community. This connection will strengthen children and families cultural identity, emotional wellbeing, and sense of belonging. The Family Connector will support ACAC practitioners within BDAC to follow a model of family connecting that is culturally safe and effective. The practitioner would collaborate with other specialist organisations (such as VACCA and Anglicare Victoria) and interstate ACCOs to support family finding and connection between family members. This position will require some travel and afterhour work. Key Responsibilities Supporting and strengthening Family relationships Actively engage with families identifying strengths and capacities. Research extended family and work to activate them as support to the children and families. Skillfully manage conflict to negotiate common goals. Strengthening families to prevent children and unborn children being subject to Child protection reports and orders. Contributing for children to remain with family rather that enter the Out of Home Care system. Increased cultural safety and sensitivity to a family''s journey. Help ensure that the child''s cultural practices and needs are respected and integrated into their care plan. Helping Aboriginal children develop a strong sense of identity. Maintaining connections to family, community, and culture. Helping child feel proud of their heritage and confident in their cultural identity, which is essential for their overall wellbeing and resilience. Strengthened connections with their Aboriginal Community. Increased involvement in community events, ceremonies, and other cultural activities. Help children and families feel grounded in their identity and build strong relationships with Community members. Cultural Preservation and Connection Support connections to Aboriginal heritage, language, culture, and traditions. Work closely with the child and their family to maintain cultural ties, even if the child is placed in a foster care setting away from their community. Advocacy and Support Act as a liaison between the practitioner, child, their family, the carers, and social services to advocate for the child''s cultural needs and rights. Help ensure that the child''s cultural practices and needs are respected and integrated into their care plan. Consult with Traditional Owners and Elders within the Bendigo community, striving to develop new initiatives and practices led by community. Develop procedures and guidelines The role would lead the development of practice, procedure and guidelines and support future service models and structures. Actively seek feedback from children, young people, their families and community on ways to improve the processes and programme. Contribute to monitoring and evaluation to consider longterm impacts, which would provide us with the evidence required to shape future iterations of our service model. About You Identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal Culture and the ACCHO environment. Ability to engage children, young people families and communities through a friendly warm approach. Strong interpersonal and communication skills including the capacity to negotiate and work effectively with a range of individuals and agencies to achieve positive outcomes. Willingness to work through conflict situations in an understanding way to achieve best possible outcomes. Ability to make decisions in highpressure contexts, clearly able to communicate rational for decisions. Demonstrated resilience and ability to manage selfcare in being able to work in highpressure environments and work with families. Ability to work after hours and on call as required. Experience or formal qualifications in Social Work, Family Support, or Family Welfare. Experience and training in any form of conciliation convening will be an asset. Education, Training and / or Competencies Mandatory A recognised Social Work degree or a recognised Diploma of Community Services Work, or similar qualifications which is studied over a minimum of two academic years of fulltime study (or parttime equivalent) and includes: A primary focus on child development, human behaviour, family dynamics and or impacts of trauma. Supervised fieldwork placement (ideally completed within the child and family welfare sector) and at least one unit of study in case management, case work practice or counselling. Previous experience working with Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander community members or in an Aboriginal organisation (preferred). How to Apply If this role sounds like the role for you then click on the link below and apply by attaching your CV and a cover letter detailing how you suit the role by Friday 9th of January. Mandatory Requirements Should an applicant be the preferred candidate, background checks (Police check, reference check and Working with Children''s Check) will be completed prior to the candidate''s employment being confirmed. Please note This is an Aboriginal Designated Position, classified under special measures of section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act. Only Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply. For more information about this position please see the Position Description which can be accessed via our website or contact our human resources team. #J-18808-Ljbffr