Organisational Purpose

Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Service (BWAHS) is the lead specialist Aboriginal Specific family violence agency, servicing the Eastern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne.

BWAHS was established in 2006 following the recommendations of the Victorian Eastern Family Violence Strategy Taskforce Report (2003) and transitioned to being an independent Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation in 2019.

BWAHS provides a range of services and programs to Aboriginal individuals and families who have either current or historical experiences of family violence.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Intensive Case Manager program is based in the inner and outer Eastern Metropolitan Regions (EMR). The Intensive Case Management Practitioner provides family violence case management support and case coordination to Aboriginal women and their children affected by family violence. Utilising a strengths-based approach, the practitioner conducts comprehensive needs and risk assessments for women and their children.

The role has an emphasis in promoting cultural safety, healthy family functioning, safety from violence, overall security and the stability and development of Aboriginal children and young people. This position collaborates closely with Aboriginal families and communities to enhance child, family and community capacity.

The Intensive Case Management Practitioner works in partnership with the Senior Case Manager to address the health, well-being and safety needs of clients, and is responsible for screening, assessment, triage and short-term support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, children and families, ensuring the provision of comprehensive services.

Using a strengths-based approach, this role also provides support and specialised knowledge to the broader Intensive Case Management team to improve responses to housing challenges faced by community members. Additionally, the practitioner will build key networks with refuge providers, housing services and housing and homelessness support programs to secure sustainable, affordable housing solutions for community members served by BWAHS.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Case Management

• Provide regular and ongoing contact with women and children at locations where they feel most comfortable and safe.
• Coordinate casework processes from initial contact, assessment, case planning, review and exit planning.
• Conduct comprehensive MARAM risk assessments during the initial assessment period and periodically as risks are identified or change.
• Develop and regularly review comprehensive safety plans for women and their children.
• Advocate on behalf of women and children to ensure they have access to necessary services.
• Participate in local, regional and other network meetings to address issues and current initiatives related to family violence.
• Collaborate with team members to promote the program, conduct presentations and engage in community education and training activities.
• Lead and assist in developing and implementing new projects or initiatives to support women and children who have experienced family violence.

Engagement of Key Stakeholders

• Engage with key stakeholders directly related to the case management needs of the clients and create opportunities for networking for the ICM team.
• Organise and facilitate risk management meetings with the men’s family violence team and external agencies.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with other family violence services and other government and community organisations to ensure multidisciplinary interventions are identified.
• Represent the organisation in meetings and negotiations as directed.

Manage Risk

• Support community members to identify their safety needs and assist them to include these in their personal support plans.
• Undertake family Violence Risk assessments.

• Undertake Child and Family assessments and planning processes based on Best Interests Principles.
• Undertake ongoing analysis of the child’s safety and wellbeing in the care of their family including an analysis of family functioning, capacity to parent and to make and maintain change.

Training and Professional Development / Capability Development

• Participate in regular clinical and internal supervision, reflective practice and case plan reviews.
• Undertake training as required, as identified through a professional training needs plan.
• Participate in BWAHS overall development and strategic direction as required.

Administration / Data Management

• Maintain records including case notes, reports and case plans.
• Participate in data collection and recording according to BWAHS policies and procedures.
• Support the data collection requirements of the case support workers.
• Ensure that client records are in accordance with BWAHS quality/audit requirements.

Policies, Procedures and Systems

• Comply with BWAHS policies and procedures to ensure that delivery of services is safe and meets the BWAHS standards of quality service delivery.
• Provide feedback on BWAHS policies and procedures to ensure that quality services are being provided.

Culturally Informed Practice

• Ensure the provision of culturally safe practices and environments for Aboriginal women and children, respecting and integrating their cultural values, traditions and needs into all aspects of service delivery.
• Advocate for and promote cultural safety in all interactions, support plans and community engagements.
• Contribute to a positive and culturally safe workplace.

LGBTQI+ and Disability Informed Practice

• Provide informed and safe support to Aboriginal and Torre Strait Islander people and their families who identify as LGBTQIA+, as well as those who identify as having a disability and have experienced, or are currently experiencing, family violence.
• Contribute to a positive and safe workplace for people who identify as LGBTQIA+ and or as having a disability

The employee will be expected to perform other duties outside those set in the position description as directed from time to time which are within the employee’s skill, qualification, experience and competence level to meet the organisation’s operational needs.

The Position Description may be amended from time to time at the organisation’s discretion. Where there is inconsistency between KPI’s in this Position Description and those within the Organisation Objectives, the Organisation Objectives will stand.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Relevant tertiary qualifications or demonstrated relevant work experience.
2. Understanding of the historical and contemporary issues that impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities.
3. An understanding of family violence case management including risk and needs assessments, Women’s and Children’s interventions and trauma informed practice.
4. Demonstrated practical experience in working with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
5. Demonstrated experience working with women and children presenting with complex needs and behaviours, and experience with high-risk clients.
6. Experience in developing and maintaining family violence and referral services networks.
7. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders from all backgrounds and levels, including with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
8. Demonstrated understanding and application of the Best Interest Case Practice Model, the MARAM (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management) framework, Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme and Child Information Sharing Scheme, and other pertinent practice models and legislation.
9. Exceptional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
10. Sound judgement and decision-making ability, and the ability to work autonomously and flexibly in a changing environment.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

It is a condition of employment that BWAHS be provided with the following:

• Current Victorian Driver’s License
• Current Working with Children’s Check
• Undertake National Police Check
• This position is designated under the Multiagency Risk Assessment and Management framework (MARAM) Comprehensive (Tier 1) level which requires mandated MARAM Family Violence Comprehensive Risk Assessment training and responsibilities.
• A degree in social work (or equivalent) or willingness to work toward the qualification in line with the mandatory minimum qualifications policy.

Please contact Georgia Hooper at [email protected], using the subject line: Intensive Case Management (ICM) Practitioner (Aboriginal Identified) enquiry via EthicalJobs, for further information or a copy of the position description.