• Position: Permanent, Full time
• Location: Dandenong
• Salary: $97,377.80 - $101,787.92 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

As part of the Child and Family Services team, Aboriginal Family Preservation and Reunification Response (AFPR) program offers intensive initial intervention and a sustained service support aimed at preventing at-risk Aboriginal children from entering care. The teams core aim is to prevent removal of children from homes and aid children who have recently been placed in out-of-home care in being reunified with their families.  

The primary responsibility of AFPR Practitioners is to actively engage with Aboriginal families with children and young people, aiding them in fostering a safe and healthy family environment. The practitioner works with existing services, providing an enhanced continuum of care statewide.  The AFPR Practitioners are integral members of a small cohesive team under the leadership of the AFPR Response Team Leader.

About You

• Ability to mentor other case workers and experience in supporting parents and their children through complex issues and crises and understanding the evidence informed practice approaches requirements of the program.
• Capacity to assist the AFPR Team Leader with duties as directed.

• Commitment to and understanding of the values that underpin VACCA’ vision and purpose.
• Awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal societies and cultures, along with awareness of the key issues which impact upon Aboriginal communities, and commitment to continually build knowledge in this area.
• Ability to build strong relationships with clients in a culturally respectful and competent manner.
• Sound understanding of the issues that impact Aboriginal families, children, and young people, particularly those involved in Child Protection.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of child development and family dynamics, including attachment theories, intergenerational and personal trauma.
• Experience in applying and implementing risk assessment frameworks, service responses and strengths-based interventions when working with vulnerable families.
• Excellent and culturally respectful communication and interpersonal skills when supporting and engaging with families, children, and young people.
• Ability to produce high quality and accurate work both on independent task and when collaborating within a team.
• 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.

Please click here to download the position description for this role. Senior AFPR Practitioner - Oct 2023 (1).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