About BDAC

Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative provides a range of health, wellbeing and family and community services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members on Dja Dja Wurrung Country.

The Position

Reporting to the Program Manager, the Senior Case Manager position will lead investigations and make assessment if a child needs protection. If the child is found to need protection the Senior 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 a protection application.

What we are offering

• $42.94 per hour
• Full Time, 38hrs
• 12 Month Contract (possibility to extend)
• Access to Salary Packaging

Some Key Responsibilities

Supported by the Team Leader and senior program staff, the Senior Case Manager will:

• Lead investigations into reports of harm received by child protection about Aboriginal children and young people, including 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.
• Complete written records and reports using the Client Relationship Information System and keep files in line with program requirements.
• Provide supervision, mentoring and support within the team as required.
• Represent BDAC at various meetings.
• Support staff in preparing high quality documentation.
• Act in higher roles and take on duties as required to fill positions during leave and vacancies.

Key Selection Criteria

• Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal history, Culture and the ACCHO environment.
• Understanding of the Children’s, Youth and Families Act 2005.
• Skills 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.
• Ability to transport children, conduct home visits and willingness to travel as needed.
• Ability to work after hours and on call (when required)
• Skills in the delivery of supervision and managing performance issues.

Your skills and experience

• 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.

*If you don’t meet these requirements but strongly believe and are able to demonstrate you have the knowledge and capacity to fulfill this role, please contact us.

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 send an email through to [email protected], using the subject line: Wartaka Senior Case Manager - Bendigo enquiry via EthicalJobs.

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

Previous applicants need not to apply.