Journey to Social Inclusion (J2SI) Case Manager

Ballarat & District Aboriginal Co-operative (BADAC)

Established in 1979 by the Ballarat Aboriginal community in the Ballarat district, BADAC's vision is to be the strongest voice and presence in the Ballarat area, supporting and respecting their people, enhancing our community, growing their culture and honouring their heritage. BADAC is the Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation (ACCO) for the Ballarat and District area, covering 4 local government areas (LGAs). The organisation is extremely proud of the contribution and support they have provided the local Aboriginal community over the past 40 years delivering a comprehensive range of health, social, welfare and community development programs to local Aboriginal people.

Our vision

Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative exists to achieve self-determination for the Aboriginal community, enabling stronger families by ensuring equal opportunities in health, housing, education, employment and justice through a holistic and culturally relevant approach.

The Opportunity

We currently have an opportunity for a committed and enthusiastic Journey to Social Inclusion (J2SI) Case Manager to join our Cultural & Therapeutic Support Program on a Full Time Fixed Term Contract until June 2028.

Why work for BADAC?

• Above award wages (based on relevant qualification and experience)

• Generous benefits, entitlements and LSL acural 

• Opportunities to develop your career further within our growing organisation

• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Professional Development and internal networking opportunities

• Access to generous Salary Packaging options 

• Access to Cultural Awareness Training 

The Journey to Social Inclusion (J2SI) is an innovative and evidenced based case management service for people experiencing long-term homelessness in Ballarat and Central Highlands.  The program differs from traditional homelessness services as it provides the time needed for people to not only access their permanent home but also have an improved quality of life and increased community and cultural connection.

The Role

The incumbent will have the ability to work intensively with small caseloads and use a combined key worker and team approach to deliver culturally safe, intensive individualised support for up to 3 years to each client. 

• The J2SI service model delivers 6 key service elements:  

• Intensive case management and service coordination  

• Rapid housing access and sustaining tenancies 

• Trauma informed practice 

• Skills for inclusion 

• Fostering independence  

• Culturally informed framework

This program will work closely with Uniting Vic/Tas Ballarat as part of a co-ordinated team partnership.

This J2SI Case Manager will provide long term case management and service coordination to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people, who are experiencing chronic homelessness through the J2SI program.

The role will work to ensure that the service provided is supportive, effective in achieving client goals, program outcomes, and are of the highest quality in accordance with BADAC’s values and legislative and funding requirements. This role works in an individual outreach capacity.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide a culturally safe, trauma informed service to the community experiencing chronic homelessness.

• Manage a caseload in an outreach capacity, providing intensive support, service coordination, referral and advocacy to achieve client goals successfully.

• Utilise persistent and assertive engagement techniques to establish and maintain a robust professional relationship with J2SI participants for the duration of the contract.

• Develop relationships and coordinate case conferences, support and exit planning with external agencies, Educate and provide culturally safe client support.

• Apply the objectives and tools of the Case Management Framework and the Trauma Informed Care Framework.

• Monitor, progress, and achieve program targets and outcomes.

• Ensure accurate, professional and timely maintenance of client records and data collection in accordance with relevant policies and procedures.

• Contribute to a workplace environment that supports peers, develops teamwork and ensures the provision of quality services for BADAC clients.

• Ensure the engagement with and completion of risk assessment and safety planning for engaging with participants experiencing vulnerabilities in an outreach capacity.

• Attend and actively participate in team meetings and service planning days, and BADAC all staff meetings. Contribute to the implementation of the BADAC Strategic Plan.

• Demonstrate commitment to continuous quality improvement to enhance systems and procedures in the operations of J2SI.

• Comply with Occupational Health and Safety policies and procedures and contribute to a safe working environment.

• Contribute to collaborative communities of practice across the J2SI consortium.

• Actively contribute to collaborative practice across the BADAC Services Division and the J2SI Consortium, including attendance and engagement in community practice settings.

• Support J2SI research and evaluation activities.

• Support CTSP groups as requested by CPRE, CTSP Manager/TL.

• Develop and foster positive relationships with local services and agencies.

Key Selection Criteria:

• Sound knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture and values and the ability to communicate with Aboriginal Children and their families.

• Minimum Diploma qualification in Welfare or mental health with 3 – 5 years experience. Candidates working towards a qualification will be considered based on experience.

• Highly developed interpersonal & communication skills including demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people, including families, government & community, health, education & welfare services.

• Ability to exercise a duty of care to work safely, taking reasonable care to protect your own health and safety and that of your fellow workers, volunteers and clients including following safe working procedures and instructions 

• All staff are required to manage information and data in accordance with BADAC frameworks, policy and procedures relating to privacy, document and data management, and cyber security.

• All BADAC staff are responsible for considering, identifying and addressing risk (the effect of uncertainty on objectives), whether positive (opportunities) and/or negative (threats).

• All BADAC staff are responsible for identifying areas of the strategic plan that ‘add value’, and for implementing and monitoring CQI initiatives. Staff are open to new ways of doing things, respond to challenges with innovative ideas and solutions and promote a continuous quality improvement culture.

• All BADAC staff are responsible for engaging in learning and development to integrate their understanding of and responsiveness to the impact of trauma within their work including active participation in the supervision and performance development process.
  
  

Other Info

 To be considered for roles with BADAC you will need to:

• Have (or be willing to have) a National Police Clearance and current Working with Children Check Clearance.

If this sounds like the sort of opportunity you would be interested in, please click 'Apply Now'. 

Please Note: All applications will require applicants to provide a cover letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria above and a copy of their resume. Applications without the required documents will not be accepted.

Applications close C.O.B on 3rd September 2026

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply

BADAC is a Child Safe organisation and all employees are expected to adhere to our Child Safe Guidelines.

BADAC is committed to diversity in employment aiming to develop a workforce that reflects the diverse community that we operate in. We foster a workplace culture in which LGBTQIA+ employees feel included, safe and supported.