Support Worker Therapeutic Residential Care

Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS) is a proud Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) committed to healing, supporting, serving and protecting Aboriginal communities across the Mallee region. Guided by our Elders and grounded by Our Lore, MDAS exists to strengthen the resilience, independence and wellbeing of our Mob.

We walk alongside individuals and families through every stage of life – caring, empowering, educating and advocating so people can be their very best selves. Our programs span across health, wellbeing, family services, community support and culture. With deep community roots and strong regional presence, MDAS is moving confidently towards becoming a sector leading ACCO known for its cultural authority and practical life-changing outcomes. Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS) is northwest Victoria's leading service provider for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. More than half of our staff is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background, and we're committed to providing a resilient workforce with high Aboriginal representation and demonstrated cultural competency for non-Aboriginal employees.

At MDAS, culture guides action and community voice shapes our future.

Role Overview

Are you dedicated to making a meaningful difference; providing trauma-informed, culturally safe support to Aboriginal children and young people living in residential care?

Working closely with young people, caregivers, and multidisciplinary teams as a Support Worker Therapeutic Residential Care, you will deliver culturally grounded case planning, safety planning, behaviour support, and day to day therapeutic support. You'll be a key role in fostering stability, connection to culture, emotional regulation skills and meaningful life outcomes for the children and young people in our care.

This is a rewarding opportunity to support some of the most vulnerable Aboriginal children and young people in Community, and helping them feel safe, empowered and connected.

This is a casual rostered position.

Key Responsibilities

• Remain up to date and deliver services to Aboriginal young people in residential care in accordance with MDAS’s Out of Home Care / Residential Care (OOHC/RC) Policy and Procedure Manual and child/youth individual and safety plans,
• Support, supervise and encourage young people to undertake daily chores / tasks as per young person’s individual plan and timetable, transport young people and families to and from school and access visits, sport and recreational activities and other appointments as required,
• Complete clear, timely and professional case notes.
• Work with other internal and external professionals including health professionals and therapists and organise required appointments to address behavioural, social and emotional issues.
• Attend staff meetings and care team meeting when requested.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Demonstrated ability to engage with children/young people who may be demonstrating challenging behaviours and/or trauma related behaviours associated with the child abuse and/or neglect.
• Ability to solve problems based on operation knowledge and experience, and following a continuous improvement process, in line with policy procedures and therapeutic approach and frameworks to work well within others in the pursuit of team goals and share information.
• Experience in communicating and negotiating with a broad range of people both Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal people at all levels to achieve broad project objectives and goals
• A sound knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal Culture and Values and the ability to effectively communicate with Aboriginal people.
• Demonstrated strong administrative skills, with effectiveness in developing tasks and managing resources to achieve targets within set time frames
• Mandatory Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention including mandatory competency for the following top up units of CHCPRT009, CHCMHS007, CHCCCS009, CHCPRT010 (beginning practice for trauma informed care) within 12 weeks of commencement of contract date.

Other Requirements

• Current National Police Check.
• Current Employee Working with Children Check
• Current Driver's Licence

MDAS strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and is committed to fostering a culturally safe and inclusive workplace. For a confidential discussion, please contact the Nathan Hura on [03 5018 4100](tel:03 5018 4100)