Aboriginal Children in Aboriginal Care Case Practitioner

Job description

If you are passionate about working in an innovative space that will support the implementation of and and operation of a new way of working within the child protection space this role may be for you.

GEGAC are implementing the Aboriginal Children in Aboriginal Care Program (ACAC) and require an individual who is competent in expert case management; someone who is passionate about delivering a service that is safe, effective, culturally sensitive and committed to self determination.

Organisational Profile

Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Cooperative (GEGAC) is a not-for-profit organisation based on Gunaikurnai Country in Bairnsdale, Victoria. GEGAC offers a comprehensive array of holistic, culturally appropriate services across the lifespan of community members – from early years to the elderly. These services are delivered through a wide range of programs, including but not limited to primary health and wellbeing, early years, family support services, alcohol and other drugs services, extended community care and elderly and community services.

These services are delivered through a number of Divisions including Children Youth and Families (CYF), Primary Health and Wellbeing, and Culture Divisions.

The Aboriginal Children in Aboriginal Care Program (ACAC) – is a program which allows Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) to support the community in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children in community. The GEGAC ACAC program is delivered in the Children, Youth and Families Division of GEGAC.

Position Purpose

GEGAC is currently in the pre-authorisation phase of the Aboriginal Children in Aboriginal Care program (ACAC).

The ACAC program is the implementation of section 18 of the Children Youth and Families Act 2005 (CYFA).

Section 18 allows the secretary of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) to authorise the CEO of an Aboriginal Agency to administer functions and powers in relation to selected Aboriginal Children on Child Protection Orders. This gives the decision making and the ability to work directly with these children and families to the Aboriginal Agency.

The ACAC program starts as a Pre-Authorisation or “as if” phase. This phase allows for the organisation to take on a small number of children and work with them, and their families “as if” the children were authorised to the Aboriginal Agency.

Each practitioner will hold a case load of 9 clients, they will be responsible for delivering a service that is safe, effective, culturally sensitive and committed to self determination.

Key Selection Criteria

• Understanding of an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) environment and the local Aboriginal Community.
• Ability to engaged with Aboriginal children and families to promote safety and culture.
• Understanding of childhood development, when assessing safety and wellbeing.
• A value and understanding of Aboriginal child raising practices.
• Experience with case planning, ability to engage families in setting goals and tasks to address concerns.
• An understanding of and commitment to strength-based practice.
• Highly developed skills and commitment to supervision and performance management.
• Expert knowledge and ability to administer the Children Youth and Families ACT 2005 and the Child Wellbeing Act 2005, particularly relating to Aboriginal children and families.
• Experience or willingness to undertake court work needed to ensure children’s safety and wellbeing.
• Demonstrated self-care and resilience to support staff working with children and families in crisis and who have experienced trauma.
• Proven skills in risk assessment, decision making in high pressure and time sensitive circumstances.
• Ability to prepare and oversee the preparation of high-quality documentation for a range of audiences.
• Ability to work after hours and on call (when required).

Qualifications and Registrations Requirement (Essential or Desirable).

• A recognised Social Work degree or a similar welfare or behavioural related degree which includes a primary focus on child development, human behaviour, family dynamics and/or impacts of trauma; and preferably a practical component such as counselling or case work practices DESIRABLE
• A recognised Diploma of Community Services work or similar qualification which is studied over a minimum of 2 academic years of full-time study (or part-time equivalent) and includes:
• A primary focus on child development, human behaviour, family dynamics and/or impacts of trauma.
• And 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. ESSENTIAL
• Understanding of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 and the core principles of the Act ESSENTIAL
• Driver licence. ESSENTIAL
• A satisfactory Working with Children Check and Fit2Work Police Check ESSENTIAL
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccinated to align with GEGAC requirements ESSENTIAL
• A person of Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islander background DESIRABLE

How to apply for this job

Applicants must address the key selection criteria for shortlisting. Any applications that have not addressed the key selection criteria will not be considered during the shortlisting process. A copy of the position description can also be obtained by copying and pasting the below link into your browser:

https://gegac.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-01-21-ACAC-Case-Practitioner-PD.pdf

Alternatively you can request a copy by emailing HR@gegac.org.au.

Applications can also be emailed to HR@gegac.org.au.

Applications close 5pm Sunday 13 July 2025

No late applications will be considered (unless under exceptional circumstances).

Previous applicants need not apply.

A valid Working with Children Check and Police check is mandatory to work in this organisation.

“this advertisement is pursuant to the ‘special measures’ provision at section 8 of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth)”.