• Position: Full time, Ongoing position
• Location: Geelong
• Salary: $85,120 - $91,586, plus super and salary packaging is available

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 Lakidjeka Aboriginal Child Specialist Advise Support Service (ACSASS) provides specialist advice and case consultation to Child Protection about culturally appropriate intervention in respect of all reports relating to alleged harm of children and significant decisions in all phases of child protection.

This role will:

• Work in strong partnership with child protection to ensure the rights and best interests of Aboriginal children who have come to the attention of child protection are upheld and maintained
• Respond to and work closely with child protection staff in the local area to meet with families where allegations of abuse and neglect of children have been made
• Participate and provide advice to child protection in case planning to ensure an Aboriginal perspective is considered in assessments, placement planning and decision making of the child
• Support child protection to identify and locate Aboriginal family members who can provide support and care to the child and family
• Develop and maintain external relationships with services in the interests of the child and family
• Undertake all of the reporting requirements required of the role, such as completing case notes and file maintenance

About You

• Sound knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture and values and an ability to share this knowledge with child protection and other services
• Demonstrated understanding of the issues impacting on Aboriginal families that lead to child protection involvement
• Demonstrated ability to work closely with child protection and other services to advocate for the child and support the best interests of children
• Demonstrated ability to identify risk of harm to children and young people and undertake risk assessments within a cultural framework
• A tertiary qualification in Community Service, Social Work, Psychology, welfare or a related discipline is desirable.
• 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 

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 Lakidjeka Case Advisor - Geelong - L4 to download the position description for this role. 

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