• Position: Permanent, Full time
• Location: DANDENONG
• Salary: $97,377.80 - $101,787.92 Plus Super and 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 role of the Aboriginal Family Preservation and Reunification Response Practitioners is responsible for providing and innovative, intensive wrap around outreach family support service to children or young people in engaging and supporting their families and the children themselves via creative strengths-based evidence informed intervention strategies, conducting outreach and home visits, contributing to risk assessments and facilitating referrals to other VACCA programs or external agencies as required.  

The role will liaise with a range of VACCA programs, Child Protection, external service providers and Community Service Organisations develop plans and engage appropriate support for clients.  The role entails some after hours and weekend work as required.  

About You

• Certificate, Diploma or Degree qualification in Community Services, Social Worker and/or substantial experience in these fields is desirable
• A minimum 3-5yrs experience as a Practitioner in a relevant field that supports an understanding of child development and family functioning including theories of attachment, intergenerational and personal trauma as well as relevant risk assessment frameworks, service responses and interventions in working with vulnerable families.
• Demonstrated understanding of, and commitment to, the values that underpin VACCA’ vision and purpose. 
• Awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal societies and cultures and an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal people in contemporary Australia and the diversity of circumstances of Aboriginal people. 
• An ability to work in a culturally respectful and competent manner, with Aboriginal young people, their families and communities, to ensure that cultural connections are fostered and maintained. 
• A well-developed understanding of issues that impact on Aboriginal families, children and young people, particularly those who are involved with Child Protection 
• 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 see the attachment below 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