• Position: Full time, 12 month Fixed Term Contract
• Location: Wangaratta/Wodonga
• Salary: $97,377.80 - $101,787.92, plus super and salary packaging is available
• This is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander designated position

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

Reporting to the Team Leader- Foster Care, Senior Cultural Carer Support Worker will work alongside the practitioners responsible for case management of home-based carers to ensure that carers understand the importance of connection to culture and family for Aboriginal children in care and develop a support network where carers are able to confidentially discuss their challenges and learn more about culturally appropriate care. The position will enable VACCA to support foster carers with Community Service Organisations develop their cultural awareness, and the importance of connection to culture and community for the Aboriginal children in their care. 

About You

• A sound understanding of Aboriginal culture, values, protocols, inter-generational factors and complex care services program, as well as the issues facing vulnerable Aboriginal people today
• Demonstrated ability to communicate in a clear, culturally appropriate, and respectful way with a range of stakeholders including agency staff, carers and Aboriginal services
• Demonstrated ability to build professional networks across a range of organisations and individuals to promote collaborative working groups that focus on meeting the best interests of vulnerable Aboriginal children and young people.
• Ability to educate and mentor carer families and support them to attend Aboriginal services, community events to develop and maintain appropriate relationships with the Aboriginal community.
• Demonstrated understanding of the cultural knowledge required to deliver effective, culturally safe, and responsive services for Aboriginal people within an integrated practice context

Requirements: 

• Qualifications in Community Services and/or Youth work with significant industry experience.Minimum 3 years of experience in Case Management is desirable
• 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 to download the position description for this role. 

 Senior Cultural Care Support Worker-OM-L5.pdf

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