Who We Are

Employed by our community, to work for our community: engaging, educating, and empowering individuals, families, and our community in their journey to self-determination.

MDAS has embarked on a commitment to become a leading Aboriginal organisation known for its ability to make a practical difference to client’s lives, families and our community.

This is underpinned by our LORE which is the foundation stone of who we are, what we do and why we do it.

Our organisation’s services, people and culture will be guided through strong leadership and engagement with community and MDAS teams.

Our Purpose

Healing, supporting, serving, and protecting our communities throughout the Mallee Region.

Healthy, resilient, and capable Aboriginal people and families who can be their very best selves and exercise true self determination.

Caring for, strengthening, empowering, motivating and guiding our Mob.

Your Role

The Cultural Support Planning (CSP) & Better Futures Caseworker gathers and supports Aboriginal families, who have children and young people involved with child protection services while additionally working in conjunction with Better Futures; a part of the broader Leaving Care response provided to young people who are or were in Home Based Care funded by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) across the Mallee.

Cultural Support Planning addresses the safety needs of children and young people which includes developing, endorsing, and implementing cultural support plans for each child or young person engaged in child protection services. This includes reviewing cultural plans and working with care teams to ensure they are of a suitable standard and address the cultural needs of vulnerable Aboriginal children and young people.

The CSP & Better Futures Caseworker additionally is responsible for supporting care leavers, engaging with young people and their support networks, including case managers and care teams early in their transition from care, and supporting young people across five service areas, housing and living skills, education, employment, health and well being and community connections.

Key Selection Criteria

Experience in the case management of complex children, youth and families and knowledge of the Residential Care, Home Based Care system and Child Protection statutory requirements. Demonstrated ability to advocate for client needs, influencing decisions in client’s best interests.

Demonstrated knowledge of the legislative, policy and practice requirements relating to Aboriginal children, families and community, including understanding of the effects of the Stolen Generation in Aboriginal communities.

Ability to communicate, consult, liaise and negotiate with a broad range of people both Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal people at all levels to achieve broad project objectives and goals

Ability to take action to provide services that are inclusive of Aboriginal people and engage in learning about other cultures to better establish relationships and improve services

Qualification/s:
A tertiary qualification or equivalent training and experience in Social Work, Youth Work or relevant experience or willing to obtain.

Other Screening Requirements:
Valid Drivers License that allows you to drive in Australia.
Victorian Employee Working with Children Check card.
National Police Check.