• Full time, Fixed term for 14 months
• Location is Morwell
• Salary from $88753- $92771 plus super - based on qualifications and experience
• Additional Salary Packaging options available up to $15,900
• Work for an organisation that works for the community and is making a difference!

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 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

About the role

VACCA Morwell delivers a range of Family Violence Therapeutic Services that offer a culturally safe and trauma informed, one on one counselling and group based work with Aboriginal women, men, children, adolescents and families who are impacted by family violence.

Located at the Orana Gunyah site, the Life Skills Specialist role has been created to facilitate a range of programs with Aboriginal women and children who have been impacted by family violence. The position will involve the design and delivery of activities both 1:1 and in groups, educating and supporting Aboriginal women to learn new life skills. The Life Skills Specialist will:

• Engage with residents currently in refuge
• Support the client in group readiness, including pre-group individual sessions where needed
• Develop and deliver activities/programs for Aboriginal Women and children that are provided in a culturally safe place allowing individuals to build trust, yarn up, open up in their own time and heal through the use of therapeutic interventions
• Educate and support Aboriginal women to develop/enhance life skills in areas including: financial literacy, budgeting, tenancy matters, cooking classes & healthy meal planning, relationship building, women’s groups & healing day trips (which may include travel back to country)
• Establish effective working relationships with Elders, community & partnering agencies
• Support residents to attend other groups and Women’s business outside of Orana Gunyah
• Connect families to Cultural activities eg: NAIDOC week events, Sisters’ Day out etc.
• Assist to strengthen family and community networks/relationships

A trauma-informed approach interwoven with psychoeducation promotes healthy respectful relationships and will assist women to build confidence, achieve greater independence and to further strengthen their healing journey.

About You

• 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
• A comprehensive understanding of the dynamics and impact of family violence in Aboriginal families
• A demonstrated ability to work with Aboriginal women, children and families who have been impacted by family violence
• Substantial and relevant experience working across Family Violence, Child and Family Welfare Services and the Aboriginal sector.
• An understanding of relevant legislation and professional guidelines including children and young people at risk, MARAM, Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme, Child Information Sharing Scheme and privacy requirements
• Demonstrated experience in the development and facilitation of group activities
• Qualification: Tertiary qualification in social work, psychology, family therapy or a related discipline along with demonstrated experience, or willingness to obtain.
• Requirement: 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 Drivers Licence.

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

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander 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. 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