About BDAC

The Bendigo & District Aboriginal Cooperative (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 provides a range of specialist services for clients based primarily in the Dja Dja Wurrung including Health and Wellbeing services, Family and Community Services and Corporate services.

About The Program 

The Mutjang bupuwingarrak mukman program, a Dja Dja Wurrung name meaning “keeping our kids safe”, are authorised under section 18 of the Children Youth and Families Act to take on the decision making for Aboriginal children and young people who are on Child Protection Orders and authorised to BDAC. 

The Mutjang bupuwingarrak mukman team work with the children and their families to ensure the best possible outcome is met and that everything is done in the child or young person’s best interests.

The Position

We have two exciting fixed term positions in our Mutjang Bupuwingarrak Mukman team. The Case Manager will lead investigations and make assessments if a child is in need of protection. If the child is found to need protection the Case Manager will work directly with children, families and community to ensure the child’s safety and wellbeing. 

Where this is unable to be achieved voluntarily, it may include initiating legal proceedings and all work associated with making protection applications

What We Are Offering

• Full Time, 38hrs per week
• Access to Salary Packaging
• 12 month contracts
• SCHADS award
• 10.5% Superannuation
• Ongoing training and development opportunities 
• Supportive workplace

Some Key Responsibilities

• Lead investigations into reports of harm received by child protection about Aboriginal children and young people, this will include interviews with children and families and documentation of investigation.
• Conduct outreach visits to family homes and manage conflicts as they arise.
• Make assessment and recommendations if the child or young person needs protection.
• Engage families on a voluntary basis, working with children, families, and community to ensure the child’s safety and wellbeing, working from a strengths approach.
• Provide case management, including ongoing assessment and leading a care team.
• Refer children and or families to appropriate services, work with services to ensure that referrals are responded to in a way that acknowledges the needs

About You 

• Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal history, Culture and the ACCHO environment.
• Understanding of the Children’s, Youth and Families Act 2005.
• Skill to engage Aboriginal families through a relational approach, maintaining professional boundaries.
• Knowledge of child and adolescent development and strategies for working with vulnerable children, young people, and their families.
• Experience or detailed understanding of completing investigations, interview strategies and documenting evidence. 
• Strong reasoning skills, ability to make assessments and communicate rational for assessments.
• Understanding of self-care and resilience when working with children and families in crisis and who have experienced trauma.
• Strong computer skills, ability to use a range of software and IT based reporting systems.
• Ability to prepare high quality plans, letters, emails, and reports, ensure written communications achieve their purpose.
• Demonstrated skills in managing competing demands in a structured thoughtful manner.
• Drivers License and willingness to travel as needed.

Mandatory Education, Training and/or Competencies 

• A recognised Social Work degree or a similar welfare or behavioural related degree which includes: (a) a primary focus on child development, human behaviour, family dynamics and/or impacts of trauma; and preferably (b) a practical component such as counselling or case work practice 
  or 
• A recognised Diploma of Community Services Work, or similar qualification which is studied over a minimum of two academic years of full-time study (or part time equivalent) and includes: (a) a primary focus on child development, human behaviour, family dynamics and/or impacts of trauma (b) supervised fieldwork placements (ideally completed within the child and family welfare sector) and at least one unit of study in case management, case work practice or counselling.

How to Apply

If this role sounds like the perfect opportunity for you, then please apply by providing your CV, and a cover letter entailing how you suit the role by 5pm December 15th 

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.

You must also be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to work at BDAC.

For more information about this position please see the Position Description available at bdac.com.au or contact our human resources team on (03) 5442 4947, or email [email protected].

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants are strongly encouraged to apply