Aboriginal Child Specialist Advice and Support Service Case Worker (ACSASS)

Who We Are

• Employed by our community, to work for our community: engaging, educating, and empowering individuals, families, and our community in their journey to self-determination.

• MDAS has embarked on a commitment to become a leading Aboriginal organisation known for its ability to make a practical difference to client’s lives, families and our community.

• This is underpinned by our LORE which is the foundation stone of who we are, what we do and why we do it.

• Our organisation’s services, people and culture will be guided through strong leadership and engagement with community and MDAS teams.

Our Purpose

• Healing, supporting, serving, and protecting our communities throughout the Mallee Region.

• Healthy, resilient, and capable Aboriginal people and families who can be their very best selves and exercise true self determination.

• Caring for, strengthening, empowering, motivating and guiding our Mob.

Your Role

Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS) is one of Victoria’s largest Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.

The Aboriginal Child Specialist Advice and Support Service (ACSASS) build, maintain, and foster strong relationships with Child Protection and other agencies. ACSASS ensure the best interests of Aboriginal children & young people are applied and that connection to culture is always upheld.

An opportunity for an Aboriginal Child Specialist Advice and Support Service Case Worker (ACSASS) is available and as a valued member in our team you will assist, support and strengthen Aboriginal families who are in contact with Child Protection. 

The ACSASS case worker is responsible for providing Child Protection Practitioners advice and support about culturally appropriate intervention and service delivery. This also includes providing information to the family regarding their rights and responsibilities and available services. 

This position is based across the Mallee region, and some travel and overnight stays may be required. Due to providing a 24 hour service, ACSASS case workers are required to provide an afterhours service based on a rotating roster.

This is a permanent, full time position based at our Mildura office location.

• Demonstrated knowledge of local issues and needs of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and a sound understanding of the issues that Aboriginal families are facing today. 

• Demonstrated understanding of child and adolescent development, intervention techniques and strategies related to the protection of children and young people from abuse and neglect.  

• High level of written and verbal communication skills and competence in using a computer and demonstrated ability to give and take instruction from peers working in a team environment.

• Demonstrated ability in convening and mediating outcomes within group settings with capacity to engage with Aboriginal children and their families in collaborative planning processes.

• Demonstrated ability in preparing written reports including reports with statistical data collected from service delivery reporting including well-developed accurate case noting skills.

• Demonstrated ability to develop, plan, implement, manage, and evaluate a program. 

Qualification/s: 

• Minimum relevant Certificate IV qualification or Diploma of Welfare/Community Services.

Other Screening Requirements

• A current driver's license that allows driving in Australia
• A current Victorian Employee Working with Children Check 
• A current National Police check

MDAS is proudly a Child Safe Organisation committed to the safety, wellbeing and empowerment of Aboriginal children and young people.