x2 – Aboriginal Children in Aboriginal Care, Practitioner

Organisation Overview:

Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative (RAC) is recognised as a leader among Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, maintaining a high profile in the public and private sectors across research, consultancy, policy development, and partnerships. RAC operates in a culturally appropriate, sensitive, community-controlled environment that maintains a holistic approach to service provision and emphasises the importance of family and community.

RAC has been a resource, service provider and enabler of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of the Greater Shepparton region since 1980. RAC is a cooperative working to provide a range of supports and services including:

• Health and wellbeing
• Positive aging and disability services
• Community services
• Asset and infrastructure services
• Corporate services

RAC has an annual budget of $19 million and a workforce of approximately 230 people. RAC is a significant employer and economic contributor to the region and plays a high profile leadership role as one of the larger Aboriginal organisations in Australia. RAC is committed to ensuring the Aboriginal people in the Goulburn Valley have certainty of access to community-controlled services.

Role Purpose:

Using cultural practice and understanding, the Practitioner will work directly with children on Child Protection Orders and their families to:

• Relationally engage with children and their families to promote the health and wellbeing of children on Child Protection Orders.
• To address the concerns that led to Child Protection involvement and take all actions necessary to protect children including court work.
• Engage with parents to do the necessary work, needed to safely reunify children who are placed in out of home care.
• Work with carers, children and young people to promote long term stability when reunification is not possible.
• Support children and families to access the range of health and community services Rumbalara provide and refer to external services to support families to meet the planned goals.

Employment Conditions:

• All staff are required to sign a confidentiality agreement on appointment to the organisation
• Probationary / qualifying periods apply to all new positions
• All staff are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct of the Co-operative (available to view)
• All staff are required to follow the policies and procedures to the department and the Co-operative (manuals are available to view)
• A commitment to equal opportunity and Occupational Health and Safety principles and practices is required
• Salary packaging is available to permanent part time and full-time staff
• Tenure of positions at Rumbalara will be tied to existing contracted funding arrangements