Please note: This is an Aboriginal Designated Position, classified under ‘special measures’ of section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply.
About BDAC
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 was founded to represent and provide services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living on Djaara Country.
BDAC has a responsibility to ensure growth of services, development of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, better and improved health outcomes for our people, improved quality of life and be a lead agency in providing self-determination employment and career pathways for Aboriginal people.
What We Are Offering
Access to Salary Packaging
12% Superannuation
Supportive work environment
Ongoing training and development opportunities
Job Description
About the Position
Reporting to the Program Manager in the ACAC programs, the Family Meeting Convener will hold a key role in developing the procedures for the family meeting processes. The role will convene family meetings as well as engaging families, finding and walking alongside family support networks as well as negotiating with families where there are significant worries for the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. This position will require some travel and after hour’s work.
Key Responsibilities
• Lead and support the development of the Family Meeting practice and procedures.
• Actively seek feedback from children, young people, their families and community on ways to improve the processes and program.
• Provide input into the pilots development.
• Schedule meetings in line with process timelines.
• Ensure all significant people are personally invited and have ability to participate in the meetings.
• Facilitate meetings in cultural ways that ensure all participants have a voice.
• Ensure accurate record of meetings are taken and recorded.
• Skilfully manage conflict to negotiate common goals.
• Where needed, work with families to develop Case Plans that address the worries and promote the child or young person’s best interests. • Where the need is identified, support connecting extended family and walk alongside them as support to the children and families.
• Actively engage with families identifying strengths and capacities, highlighting these in family meetings.
• Actively engage in community to promote the pilot and BDAC’s work.
• The convenor supports families through the meeting process ensuring that everyone feels safe and involved. They help families understand the situation and discuss their plans for the Childs care and well-being
• The convenor facilitates the sharing of information about the family and children, including worries and actions taken. They ensure all participants have an opportunity to speak and contribute to the decision-making process.
• The convenor applies cultural considerations to ensure that the processes are culturally responsive to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• The convenor is responsible for facilitating the meeting, ensuring that is conducted in a respectful and supportive environment. They guide the discussions and ensure family have a voice in the process.
• The convenors’ role is to empower families and ensure their voice is heard in the decision-making process.
• The convenor supports with families throughout the process, this is from the initial time of intake call to Wartaka
Desired Skills and Experience
About You
• Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal Culture and the ACCHO environment.
• Highly developed negotiation and meeting facilitation skills.
• Willingness to work through conflict situations in an understanding way to achieve best possible outcomes.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills including the capacity to negotiate and work effectively with a range of individuals and agencies to achieve positive outcomes.
• Ability to make decisions in high pressure contexts, clearly able to communicate rational for decisions.
• Ability to engage children, young people families and communities through a friendly warm approach.
• Demonstrated resilience and ability to managing self-care in being able to work in high pressure environments and work with families. Ability to work afterhours and on call as required.
Desired:
• Experience or formal qualifications in Social Work, Family Support, or Family Welfare
• Aboriginal applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Experience and training in any form of conciliation convening will be an asset.
How to Apply
If this role sounds like the role for you then click on the link below and apply by attaching your CV and a cover letter detailing how you suit the role by Sunday 11th of January 2025.
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.
For more information about this position please see the Position Description which can be accessed via our website www.bdac.com.au or contact our human resources team on (03) 5442 4947 or send an email through to recruitment@bdac.com.au
Please note: This is an Aboriginal Designated Position, classified under ‘special measures’ of section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply.
