Community Connector

Community Connector - Better Futures Program (12 Months) 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 Community Connector - Better Futures, to join our Team on a Full Time Fixed Term basis (12 Months). The Role The Better Futures Community Connector will identify pathways, resources and relationships within the community that can support young people to realise their aspirations, develop their strengths and achieve their goals. This role will be key in creating links between young people leaving care and their communities. The Community Connector will support Better Futures workers as a secondary consult to create and foster community connections. This role will involve networking, building relationships, collaborating, and educating Central Highlands service providers and the community. Community Connections is a key service offer of the Better Futures model that aims to build supportive networks, pathways, and opportunities for young people within their communities. Community Connectors give young people opportunities to join outings and activities to help connect them to their community. Young people are connected to job and education opportunities to help them work towards their personal and professional goals. They can also be paired with volunteer mentors from the community to provide them with advice on achieving their life goals and aspirations. Community Connectors do not provide case work but play a key role in the young person’s Better Futures care team along with their Better Futures worker or the young person’s case manager if the young person is in care. The target group is Aboriginal young people in Central Highlands, who are aged 15 to 21 years and were living in out of home care. They are eligible for Better Futures if they: Have been on a family reunification order, a care by secretary order or a long‑term care order; On leaving the care of the Secretary, are of an age to, or intends to, live independently. Key Duties & Responsibilities: Develop, implement and work in conjunction with a Community Connections Direction Plan. This includes but is not limited to actioning items from the Community Connections Project and creating reports relevant to the direction plan. Contribute to strategic and operational planning including long term planning to improve services and outcomes. This includes liaising with all stakeholders to support the evaluation of the Community Connector program through the use of Directions Plans and Outcomes Reports. Provide services and abide by all program requirements and responsibilities according to the Out of Home Care guidelines, BADAC policies and procedures, DFFH policies and practices, and in accordance with relevant legislation. This includes but is not limited to case records, statistics, and data gathering. Create and maintain risk assessments for Community Connector lead activities and mentoring activities. Establish community connections for young people transitioning from the Out of Home Care system. This includes identifying and linking community members, groups, associations and businesses with the strengths, passions and goals of young people (e.g., sports, arts, education, employment, volunteering). Support the capability of key stakeholders in the care system to link young people with community resources and opportunities to assist young people to realise their strengths and achieve their goals. Link young people, through their Better Futures worker to opportunities within the community, and support connections for young people to move closer to their goals. Develop, facilitate and share opportunities within the community to ensure that young people aged 15-21 years with a care experience gain access to these opportunities to participate in their independence. Maintain sound knowledge of current resources and services available to vulnerable young people and their families within the Ballarat and district area. Develop and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders including clients, families, community service organisations, relevant professionals, and government officials. This includes support young people’s best interests through any engagement with or in relation to them. Undertake regular supervision and performance review with line manager, proving feedback to promote collaborative working relationships. Contribute positively and proactively to team and organisation wide OH&S activities. Ensure compliance with legislation, contract and policy requirements in your day to day work in order to meet the organisation’s audit, contract and registration obligations. Continue the development of a culturally strong and positive program and working environment using a continuous improvement approach. Key Selection Criteria: Strong knowledge of Aboriginal culture and the ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with Aboriginal people. Demonstrated ability to work in a way that promotes Aboriginal cultural identity and promotes their connection to family, community and acknowledging that connection to culture, community and country is fundamental to supporting the safety and identity of Aboriginal community members. Sound knowledge of the challenges and issues facing the local Aboriginal community. Demonstrated ability to provide safe environment for children and young people and understand the impacts of disadvantage and adversity on young people. Tertiary qualifications in Community Services, Social Work, Welfare or a related field or relevant 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. Excellent written skills, including the ability to write case notes, assessments and reports in a professional manner, proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Outlook. Willingness to support, mentor, and contribute to continuous improvement of a positive, collaborative and effective work environment. Sound understanding of the Advantaged Thinking framework or similar theories. Ability to work co‑operatively with external agencies and with all relevant Aboriginal and non‑Aboriginal stakeholders in maintaining an effective and responsive service delivery system for clients. Support a positive team culture and contribute to the activities of the team through engagement at team meetings and within the tasks that are undertaken. 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 21st November 2025 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+SB employees feel included, safe and supported. #J-18808-Ljbffr