About the Position

Reporting to the Team Leader and supported by senior staff, working within the ACAC Mutjang bupuwingarrak mukkman program (a Dja Dja Wurrung name meaning “Keeping Children Safe”)

The Senior Case Managers hold the primary responsibility for case management for Aboriginal children authorised to BDAC under section 18 of the Children’s, Youth and Families Act 2005. The Senior Case Manager will work with children, families and the community to promote the safety, stability and development of Aboriginal children. The Senior Case Managers will at times lead investigations and make ongoing assessments. The Act under section 18 provides the legislative mandate for the ACAC programs to protect children and young people using best interest and decision making principles.

This mandate involves receiving reports, conducting investigations, intervening if it is assessed that a child needs care and protection, taking matters before the Children’s Court, supervising children on protection orders, determining case plans (including stability plans, Cultural plans and therapeutic treatment plans) for the safety and wellbeing of children and delivering case practice and case management services for children and young people who are either living with family or in out of home care. The Senior Case Manager mentors and role models for Case Managers.

Key Responsibilities

Supported by the Team Leader and senior leadership, the Case Manager will:

• Provide quality, timely and effective case practice and case management services including risk assessment, working from a strengths-based approach.
• Work with children, families, carers and community to implement the actions determined through planning to facilitate the changes necessary to improve the safety, stability and development of children.
• Lead investigations into reports of harm received, including interviews with children and families and documentation of investigation.
• Conduct visits to family homes.
• Make assessments and recommendations if the child or young person needs protection.
• Engage families by 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 using the Client Relationship Information System and keep files in line with the program requirements.
• Actively participate in team work in a manner that ensures a coordinated approach to service delivery.
• Lead and attend meetings to support the work with families and advocate for children and families as required.
• Make applications, prepare documentation, give evidence and make recommendations to the Children’s Court on decisions and actions in the best interests of the child.
• Ensure work applies and adheres to legislation, policies and BDAC frameworks.
• Reflects on practice and articulate assessment outcome with their supervisor.
• Travel to meet with families and for training, some overnight and interstate travel may be required.
• Make applications, prepare documentation, give evidence, and make recommendations to the Children’s Court on decision and actions in the best interest of the child.