• Position: Ongoing, Full time
• Location: Dandenong
• Salary: $85,120.36 - $91,586.56 plus Super & Benefits

The Organisation

The Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) is an Aboriginal Community-Controlled organisation that supports and advocates for the Aboriginal Community and is the largest organisation of its 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 strength lies with our people.

About the role

The Foster Care Program provides a culturally safe service to support Aboriginal children and young people who are living in foster care placements. The Program provides support to the families of the children and to carers. VACCA works towards reuniting children, wherever possible, with their parents and extended families.

Case Managers are responsible for providing casework and case management services for Aboriginal children in out-of-home care, employing a trauma-informed approach.  The role involves conducting visits, supporting foster carers, and implementing Cultural Support Plans for our clients, with a focus on the well-being and cultural responsiveness of fostered children.

About You

• Certificate, Diploma or Degree qualification in Community Services, Social Worker. Where a degree is commenced but not completed, salary will be fixed at Award Level 3 until successful completion.
• Demonstrated commitment and understanding for the values that underpin VACCA’ vision and purpose
• Demonstrated awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal societies and cultures, and commitment to continually build knowledge of such, along with a high level of awareness of the key issues which impact upon Aboriginal communities
• Demonstrated experience in working and engaging with Aboriginal families and children
• Ability to advocate for Aboriginal children and communicate in a clear, culturally appropriate and respectful way with a range of stakeholders including staff and external parties.
• Ability to identify the training and support needs of carers, particularly non-Aboriginal carers in terms of their cultural competence and connection to the Aboriginal community.
• Requirements: Current COVID-19 vaccination (including booster dose, as applicable), a Working with Children’s Check for a paid employee (or willingness to obtain) and a Victorian Driver Licence.

What we can offer you

• A supportive environment that includes comprehensive induction
• The support of regular internal supervision
• Professional development and training opportunities 
• Attractive salary packaging to increase your take-home pay
• 17.5%  loading on annual leave
• Access to agency vehicles for all work-related travel 
• Access to Employee support and wellbeing programs 
• Paid parental leave after 12 months of ongoing employment
• Opportunity to work and build connection with the Aboriginal Community and culture
• Fitness Passport - allowing you (and your family) access to any of the facilities available on this program 

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

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.

A position description is attached.

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