Ballarat & District Aboriginal Co-operative (BADAC)

 

Established in 1979 by the Ballarat Aboriginal community in the Ballarat district, BADAC’s vision is to be the strongest voice and presence in the Ballarat area, supporting and respecting their people, enhancing our community, growing their culture and honouring their heritage. BADAC is the Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation (ACCO) for the Ballarat and District area, covering 4 local government areas (LGAs). The organisation is extremely proud of the contribution and support they have provided the local Aboriginal community over the past 40 years delivering a comprehensive range of health, social, welfare and community development programs to local Aboriginal people.

 

Our vision

 

Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative exists to achieve self-determination for the Aboriginal community, enabling stronger families by ensuring equal opportunities in health, housing, education, employment and justice through a holistic and culturally relevant approach.

 

The Opportunity

 

 We currently have an opportunity for 2 committed and enthusiastic Family Counsellor’s to join our Gobata Burron Team. 

There is 1 x Part Time Fixed Term position and 1 x Permanent Part Time position available. 

Commencement for the successful applicant is estimated for February 2024.  

 

BADAC’s Family Services include Koorie Family Services, Gobata Burron (Section 18) and Kinship Care programs, providing family and child support to the Aboriginal community across the Ballarat and district area. 

 

The Family Counsellor will engage with parents, caregivers and children/young people in active change orientated treatment by identifying and overcoming barriers to positive parenting. The Family Counsellor will review referral information, engage with key participants, clearly identify the clinical needs of families, recognise family strengths and limitations, as well as developing plans, goals and recommendations. 

 

The Family Counsellor will have the opportunity to actively work with the child or young person and the child’s family in a culturally safe manner for the best interest of the child. Aboriginal children and young people continue to be overrepresented in Child Protection and care systems. Actions to promote the growth of healthy, resilient Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children is a key requirement. This role will support in strengthening the relationship between the child/young person/s and their caregivers and or parents. 

 

The Family Counsellor will work closely with case managers and other professionals to support their clients with the focus being to promote the safety, stability and development of vulnerable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people and their families by: 

 

• Engaging in regular contact with the family throughout the entirety of their intervention. 
• Providing office based and direct in-home family therapy sessions.
• Assisting with case coordination, treatment planning, intervention implementation, outcome reviews and future planning. 
• Working within a trauma informed framework, which acknowledges the impact of colonisation, racism and disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Advocate for keeping families together in a safe and nurturing environment.

 

The Family Counsellor will build capacity and resilience, strengthen cultural connections of families, and support the development of carers capacity. This includes providing education & strategies to the staff, on how best to provide the direct support for them and their clients. 

 

The Family Counsellor will need to be highly motivated and enthusiastic, have great interpersonal and mentoring skills, and have a sound knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and an ability to communicate effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

 

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide strengths and evidence-based interventions to families involved in Family Services. This includes the provision of support to children, young people, families and carers to address vulnerabilities and working together to strengthen family relationships. 

 

• Engage with children, young people and their families to strengthen cultural connection and encourage self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children & families. 

 

• Support children, young people, their families and caregivers utilizing a variety of interventions and frameworks such as, developmental theory, attachment and trauma theory, solution focused and task centred models of care. 

 

• Ensure the completion of case notes, assessments, reports & recommendations and client files are current and up to date and of a professional standard, ensuring child safety requirements are clearly documented and addressed. 

 

• Provide flexibility in service provision by facilitating culturally safe therapeutic interventions within the family home, community or consulting rooms.

 

• Liaise with and maintain positive working relationships with other relevant organizations, particularly with Child Protection. 

 

• Maintain strict standards of confidentiality and act at all times in a professional manner in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative. 

 

• Engage in regular supervision, reflective practice and opportunities for planned professional development. 

 

• Carry out other duties as directed by the Chief Operating Officer, Program Manager or Team Leader. 

 

Key Selection Criteria:

• Sound knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, values and the importance of connection to family and community, with demonstrated ability to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in their healing. 

 

• Demonstrated ability to work in a way that promotes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s cultural identity and promotes their connection to family, community and culture. Acknowledging the importance of connection to Culture, Community and Country is fundamental in supporting the safety and identity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. 

 

• Highly developed interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and excellent engagement skills.

 

• Ability to engage with children & young people who have experienced significant trauma, disrupted attachment and demonstrate extreme emotional and behavioural dysregulation. 

 

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Social Work, Counselling, Family Therapy, with experience working with adolescents and families. New Graduates will be considered based on experience in the sector.

 

• Experience and skills in risk assessment and intervention, child development and trauma informed practice. 

 

• Sound knowledge and experience working with traumatised and vulnerable children, young people & their families which may include child development and the impact of trauma clinical work, mental health, AOD issues, disability or other trauma related behaviours. 

 

• Understanding of a range of parenting support and other intervention strategies. 

 

• Well-developed administrative skills including maintaining accurate files, case notes, assessments, recommendations computer data records and report writing. 

 

• A sound knowledge of the information sharing provisions, including Mandatory Reporting and the MARAM framework.

 

Other Info

 To be considered for roles with BADAC you will need to:

• Have (or be willing to have) a National Police Clearance and current Working with Children Check Clearance.

 

If this sounds like the sort of opportunity you would be interested in, please click ‘Apply Now’. 

 

Please Note: All applications will require applicants to provide a cover letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria above and a copy of their resume. Applications without the required documents will not be accepted.

 

Applications close C.O.B on 7th December 2023.

 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

BADAC is a Child Safe organisation and all employees are expected to adhere to our Child Safe Guidelines.
 

 

BADAC is committed to diversity in employment aiming to develop a workforce that reflects the diverse community that we operate in. We foster a workplace culture in which LGBTI employees feel included, safe and supported.