NGATANWAAR (Welcome)
Due to enormous expansion and internal promotion, we are seeking the services of an ARED Practitioner.
Work in an appreciative and supportive environment, that offers generous remuneration – including tax savings and additional leave where you will achieve real and meaningful outcomes that positively affect our community.
Established in 1979, Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative’s vision is simple: “Empower the individual the family wins, Empower the family the community wins, Empower the community our culture wins”. Our team of dedicated professionals work together to achieve this outcome as evidenced in our latest audit where we received two rare commendations Workforce Development and Diversity & Cultural Safety. Put simply, this is a great and highly supportive place to work.
THE ROLE
To deliver culturally safe, trauma-informed, and family-led support to Aboriginal children, young people and families across Gunditjmara Country.
The role integrates Integrated Family Services (IFS) and Aboriginal Rapid Engagement & Diversion (ARED) approaches, aiming to:
•Walk alongside mothers and families, helping them feel supported and confident in their parenting journey.
•Keep children safe, healthy, and strong in their cultural identity.
•Reduce Child Protection involvement by building strong family and community networks.
•Create opportunities for mothers and families to heal, thrive and stay connected to Gunditjmara Country and culture.
The incumbent can expect the Team Leader to allocate a mix of both Intensive family services and Intergrated Family service cases identified by Team Leader.
Key Responsibilities
Family Support & Case Management
-Offer gentle, flexible support in the home or community, especially during pregnancy and early parenting.
-Support mothers to build confidence, strengthen parenting skills, and support their children’s development.
-Provide practical help (appointments, housing, budgeting, transport) alongside emotional support.
-Ensure the voice of mothers and children is always central to planning and decisions.
-Conduct comprehensive family assessments and develop goal-oriented family action plans.
-Strengthen parenting capacity and promote child development and cultural identity.
Collaboration & Cultural Connection
-Engage with Koori Maternal Services and Southwest Health care. (Or other support services)
-Prevent involvement / Work closely with Child Protection.
-Support families to access specialist services and community supports.
-Encourage participation in cultural and community activities.
-Lead or participate in family-led meetings to make sure mothers’ voices guide the process.
-Strengthen networks of informal supports – extended family, aunties, community members.
Risk Management & Safety Planning
-Conduct risk assessments on child wellbeing and family safety.
-Support mothers to identify risks and co-design safety and healing plans.
-Recognise and respond to family violence, mental health, or substance use concerns in a respectful way and link in services.
-Always keep children’s needs in focus while ensuring mothers feel safe, heard, and respected.
Administration & Reporting
-Maintain accurate, confidential case notes and data reporting.
-Participate in case reviews, supervision, and team meetings.
-Contribute to program evaluation and continuous improvement.
-Ensure all contact information is entered into the required data systems in a timely manner.
-Undertake monthly supervision with the Team Leader.
-Participate in 12 monthly performance appraisals
-Oversee and provide supervision to placement students.
-Actively participate in South-west Child and family services direct services alliance meetings and training
-Participate in professional development
-Participate in community practices & Panel responses
THE IDEAL PERSON FOR THIS ROLE
Essential
•Strong understanding of the Best Interests Principles (Child, Youth and Families Act 2005) and Child Safe Standards.
•Knowledge of Child Protection system and ability to collaborate with DHHS regarding protective concerns.
•Experience supporting families with complex needs, including crisis intervention and risk identification.
•Skilled in working independently and within multidisciplinary teams, with strong confidentiality, mandatory reporting, and documentation practices.
•Sound knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, particularly local community context.
•Effective communication and engagement skills, especially with Aboriginal families.
•Understanding of child-rearing practices and cultural values in Aboriginal communities.
•Competent in using computer systems and maintaining written records.
•Flexible, responsive approach to working with vulnerable families and a commitment to learning and sharing knowledge.
•Understanding of The Orange Door
Desirable
•Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
•Previous experience working in an Aboriginal organisation.
HOW TO APPLY
Position Descriptions are avalible on request by emailing recruitment@gunditjmara.org.au
Please forward your covering letter (addressing the key selection criteria) and resume to recruitment@gunditjmara.org.au .
We are looking to fill these position ASAP, however we will wait for the right candidate, so get in quick.
We are a Child Safe organisation. This means that any job offer will be subject to strict screening processes and proof of immunisation (both childhood & Covid). See the position description for further information.
For further information, please contact Hayley Harrison on (03) 5564 3344.