Banksia Gardens Community Services provides support to children, young people, adults and families through a range of programs. Intensive support for highly vulnerable and high-risk young people is provided through BCYJA, Targeted Care Packages (TCPs) and Project REAL. Children and young people receiving intensive support are also often connected to other programs at Banksia Gardens Community Services.

TCPs are funded through DFFH (Child Protection) to deliver individual support to children and young people who have a child protection order in place and are at high risk of placement breakdown. The support provided will vary depending on the needs of the children and young people and funding available from the Department.

The BCYJA program is funded by the Department of Justice and Community Safety through the Youth Crime Prevention Grants. BCYJA provides support to justice-involved young people aged 10-24 in Broadmeadows and surrounding suburbs, to reduce crime and increase community safety. The program provides a mixture of case management services and group programs that address the young people’s needs and help them navigate a path to a socially included and meaningful adult life.

Project REAL sits under the Deputy CEO Department and is a Flexible Learning Option (FLO) for disengaged children between the ages of 8-12. Our teachers and support staff offer on-site learning opportunities and support children in their mainstream schools. This role will help to provide support to families whose children are engaged in this program.

responsibilities include:

• Establishing positive relationships with allocated clients (primarily children and young people) in order to provide them with case management support in line contracts and program expectations.
• Support clients to build social, familial and professional connections, link them to services and identify and pursue goals.
• Advocate for the needs of young people to ensure they are treated fairly and equitably and can access the services they need
• Document the work with clients according to guidelines and comply with support work procedures

For more information, please call Paul Atkinson Manager Community Development & Youth on 0410 212 672 or email [email protected] using the subject line: Family Worker enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Our organisation is proud to serve the City of Hume, one of the most culturally diverse places in the whole of Australia. BGCS is committed to human rights, gender equity and fundamental freedoms, in particular the rights of minorities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the LGBTQIA+ community.

We genuinely acknowledge and respect everyone’s individual values, beliefs, efforts, ideas, language and cultural and religious backgrounds and we encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

BGCS is a child-safe organisation and is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people with zero tolerance for child abuse. All successful applicants will be required to undertake a National Police Record Check and Working with Children Check prior to commencement of employment.

A position description is attached.

• Working collaboratively with other initiatives within Banksia Gardens Community Services to embed a culture of mutual support.
• Establishing and maintaining partnerships with relevant stakeholders to increase access to services and equitable treatment by government and other agencies.
• Comply with organisational policies and procedures, including Work Health and Safety and Child Safe policies and uphold the organisational values
• Working collaboratively with Project REAL staff and working within their framework when engaging with Project REAL families

The ideal candidate will have:

• Tertiary qualifications in Social Work, Youth Work, Community Development or related field
• Minimum 3 years experience in child, youth and family work
• Working with Children Check (WWCC)
• Current National Police Check
• Experience and skills working with children and young people from different cultural and religious backgrounds
• Experience providing individual support using a trauma informed and strengths-based approach
• Experience facilitating groups of young people
• Proven ability to engage and build positive relationships with children and young people, particularly those at risk of disengaging
• General understanding of the Youth Justice and Child Protection Systems in Victoria and the factors that contribute to youth involvement with the criminal justice system and contact with Child Protection