• Full time, Fixed Term (for 12 months), opportunity available at Werribee
• Salary from $88,753 to $92,771 plus super -based on qualifications and experience
• Additional Salary Packaging options available up to $15,900
• Supportive and collaborative team environment, with a positive workplace culture and highly capable team!

A little bit about VACCA

The Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) is an Aboriginal Community-Controlled organisation that supports and advocates for the Aboriginal Community and is the largest organisation of it’s kind in Australia. The VACCA team is committed to the organisation’s visions and values, passionately providing support, service and advocacy for our children and other vulnerable members of the community.

Our Aboriginality distinguishes us from other community organisations and we are proud of our friendly, supportive and inclusive organisational culture. We want everyone to feel welcome at VACCA. It is why we are able to deliver positive outcomes that lead to ongoing change.

Our strength lies with our people.

A quick yarn about the opportunity

The main purpose of the Cultural Support Officer is to ensure Aboriginal children or young people placed in the lead provider KEYS Residential Program remain connected to their family, Aboriginal community, culture and country.

The role

• Provide consultation on residential care decisions and actions concerning Aboriginal children and young people within the KEYS model residence, ensuring a culturally informed and effective response to the protection of Aboriginal children and young people from harm.
• Provide culturally attuned input into risk assessments and intervention for Aboriginal children and young people.
• Assist children, young people and families to better understand the reasons for child protection’s involvement and the investigation processes.
• Provide information and advice on the child’s family and community, suitable local support services and community networks for the purpose of referral.
• Assist to identify and involve the child’s extended family and community members in decision making and case planning.
• Provide input into the cultural plan for an Aboriginal child in care.

What do I need to have?

• Awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal societies and cultures and an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal people in contemporary Australia and the diversity of circumstances of Aboriginal people.
• Commitment to VACCA’s vision and purpose.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate in a clear, culturally appropriate and respectful way with a range of stakeholders including agency staff and carers and Aboriginal services.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal services.
• Ability to use assessment tools to identify and plan for the cultural needs of the child in line with
  the Aboriginal Placement Principle.
• Ability to educate and mentor agency and State-wide residential services staff and support them to attend Aboriginal services, community events to develop and maintain appropriate relationships with the Aboriginal community.
• A Working with Children’s Check for a paid employee.
• A Victorian Drivers Licence.
• Current COVID-19 vaccinations.

What does VACCA have to offer?

• The opportunity to work in a successful established program, with an organisation that wants to innovate.
• An attractive remuneration package, complete with Salary Sacrifice benefits.
• A supportive, inclusive and warm team culture.
• Develop and build the service that would make YOU want to come to work everyday!
• Great learning and development options and REAL career progression opportunities.
• The opportunity to be immersed in and learn from the strength and warmth of Aboriginal Culture.

Please note: This is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander designated position, classified under Section 12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. This employment opportunity is only available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, then please don't delay! Click APPLY now and start your professional journey with VACCA.

All candidates will need to attach an updated resume and a cover letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria, which can be found on the position description.

We are committed to Aboriginal self-determination and supporting strong, safe, thriving Aboriginal communities and aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity, honouring all cultural backgrounds, abilities, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities and spiritual beliefs.

VACCA is a child-safe organisation and is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people with zero tolerance for child abuse. All successful applicants will be required to undertake a National Police Record Check and Working with Children Check prior to commencement of employment and periodically following commencement.

VACCA is an equal opportunity employer and has a smoke-free workplace policy.