The Organisation

Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) is the largest organisation of its kind in Australia, employing more than 800 employees and delivering more than 70 programs across Victoria. VACCA is an Aboriginal community-controlled organisation that supports and advocates for the Aboriginal community. Our strength lies with our people. Our team is committed to the organisation's vision and values; advocates for our children and other vulnerable community members; and shows respect for, observance and compliance with Aboriginal cultural protocols, practice and ceremony. Our Aboriginality is what distinguishes us from mainstream services and what enables us to deliver the positive outcomes we achieve for our people.

About the role

This new initiative will be delivered through a partnership of agencies comprising of the Queen Elizabeth Centre (QEC) and Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA). These agencies have a long history in planning and development of services for children, young people and families across Metropolitan and Regional Victoria and are all experienced in the implementation of services for mothers, fathers, their children and families experiencing challenges with parenting. This role will work within the VACCA’s Child and Family Services team providing specialist QEC support to parents of children 0-4 years old, experiencing parenting challenges.

This partnership will enable QEC and VACCA to develop an initiative where QEC will provide parenting skills development and education to families engaged with VACCA, through an outreach / home visiting model.

In providing parenting skills development and education to families the focus will be:

• To encourage child play and optimise child development
• To promote child safety and stability
• To strengthen parenting capacity
• To strengthen parent/carers’ communication and problem-solving skills
• To strengthen attachment and bonding between the baby and their parent/s
• To establish and maintain routines for the baby, including feeding and sleep
• To create opportunities that strengthen cultural connection

About You

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Early Childhood Development, Infant Mental Health, Maternal and Child Health Nursing, Social Work, Community Services or equivalent, at diploma level or higher.
• Commitment to VACCA’s vision and purpose.
• 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
• Well-developed knowledge and skills in how to care for and promote development of infants and young children.
• Parenting education experience to share directly with families and VACCA team
• Work in an integrated team approach to plan and implement parenting skills development.
• Able to meet the following statutory requirements: Child Safety and Wellbeing Act 2005(including Child Safe Standards amendment act 2015) and Child Youth and Families Act 2005.AHPRA Registration (if applicable to discipline)
• Current Australian Work Rights
• 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

It is desirable if you have:

• Experience in health, family services, government or community services sectors.
• Experience in engaging families in care planning including reviewing, documenting and monitoring agreed actions.
• Family partnership model application
• Ability to work collaboratively across two organisations
• Work within a transdisciplinary team of practitioners with various skills and expertise.
• Understanding and compliance with the Victorian Clinical Governance Framework

What we can offer you!

• Professional support and training via in-house learning and development training modules
• Attractive salary packaging to increase your take home pay
• Great career development opportunities.
• Access to Employee support and wellbeing program(s)
• Opportunity to work and build connection with the Aboriginal Community and 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

Applications should include a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria and current resume.

We encourage applicants to view the Position Description prior to applying. Please click here to view 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