Bungree Aboriginal Association to deliver Aboriginal Family Dispute Resolution Services in Central Coast, Newcastle and Hunter regions
Bungree Aboriginal Association is expanding its offering with the commencement of a new Aboriginal Family Dispute Resolution Service.
Launching in April, Bungree is currently recruiting suitably qualified candidates for the new Aboriginal Family Dispute Resolution team. Find out more on the following pages:
Team Leader
Caseworkers
Intake and Admin Officer
Family dispute resolution (FDR) is a type of mediation delivered under the Family Law Act to help separated or separating families formulate their own agreements about parenting and property matters.
Bungree’s new service will establish a culturally safe family dispute resolution offering for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families with the aim of resolving family law disputes out of court while prioritising children’s safety, welfare and wellbeing at all times. Clients of the service will receive multi-faceted and individually tailored casework and services relevant to family dispute resolution including, mediation and parenting plans, all delivered in a culturally responsive manner.
Bungree Aboriginal Association CEO, Suzanne Naden explained how important it is to develop a diversity of service provision in this area.
“Services such as family dispute resolution are fundamental to ensuring the safety, wellbeing and best interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, especially children.
“There are many barriers that may prevent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from accessing mainstream family law services – language barriers, physical barriers such as a lack of transport, the perception of bias, historical trauma surrounding child removal, and fear of government oversight and negative consequences can all play a role.
“That’s why it is so important that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families can access culturally appropriate services that promote cultural healing, family restoration and safe and functional care arrangements for children,” she concluded.
Bungree’s Aboriginal Family Dispute Resolution team will be led by a team leader with a Graduate Diploma in Family Dispute Resolution, and current accreditation with the Attorney General’s Department as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner. Under Bungree’s innovative approach to delivering culturally appropriate services, two Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander candidates will have the opportunity to work under the team leader as caseworkers, accessing the training, tuition and mentoring required to achieve accreditation as registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners.
To access Bungree’s Aboriginal FDR services, community members can contact Bungree on 02 4350 0100 or enquiries@bungree.org.au.