Join a close knit friendly team of professional, passionate about making our community the best that it can be. Join VACCA today and become a Practitioner in our Aboriginal Family Preservation and Reunification Response (AFPR) Team. Help us keep families and communities together.

The Organisation

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 is what distinguishes us from other community organisations and our culture of teamwork and inclusivity is why we are able to deliver positive outcomes that lead to ongoing change. Our strength lies with our people and all people are welcome.

About the role

The role of the Practitioner/Senior Practitioner is to engage with Aboriginal Families with children to support safe and healthy family function and relationship. This role is key in keeping Aboriginal families together and assisting them to avoid family separation and ongoing involvement with Child Protection. Another key element of the role is reunifying children that have been placed in care with their families. This is a richly rewarding role and effects real lasting change in Aboriginal families and communities.

Reporting to the AFPR Team Leader, some of key tasks involved are:

• Provide case management support to assist families in meeting goals to avoid further child protection involvement
• Using your knowledge of child development, family functioning, attachment, personal and intergenerational trauma theories and well developed risk management experience to provide families with support
• Demonstrated awareness and knowledge of issues and barriers faced by Aboriginal and/or Torres Straight Islander people, as well as demonstrated knowledge and awareness of strengths possessed by Aboriginal and/or Torres Straight people and families

What we require for the opportunity

In order for you to have the best chance of success, VACCA requires:

• A Diploma of Community Services or higher relevant qualification
• Case Management experience in the field or in a related field and demonstrated understanding of the child protection system
• Well developed team work skills
• Demonstrated knowledge of implementing strengths-based approaches to supporting families/individuals
• Non-judgmental, consistent and trauma informed approach to supporting families
• Well developed communication skills (verbal/written/interpersonal)
• Requirement: Current COVID-19 vaccination, a Working with Children’s Check for a paid employee (or willingness to obtain) and a valid Victorian Drivers Licence

This is an exciting opportunity to become part of our team and we would like you to start your journey with us and become part of the Aboriginal Family and Preservation Team.

What VACCA can offer you!

• Attractive salary packaging to increase your take home pay
• A warm, supportive, and committed team invested in your success
• Culturally safe office in Chirnside Park-- Beautiful surrounds and easy commute
• Professional development and role specific training to enhance your practice
• Real career development opportunities
• In-house professional wellbeing services as well as Employee Assistance Program
• The opportunity to assist Aboriginal communities toward self-determination

If the role above is something that resonates with you, then please click APPLY NOW to begin your journey with VACCA now. All applications must contain an up to date resume and cover letter addressing your suitability for the role.

Please read the Position Description to check suitability.

If you would like further information about VACCA and it's programs, please visit our website.

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people to apply.

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.