The Organisation

Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) is the largest organisation of its kind in Australia, employing more than 800 employees and delivering more than 70 programs across Victoria. VACCA is an Aboriginal community-controlled organisation that supports and advocates for the Aboriginal community. Our strength lies with our people.

Our team is committed to the organisation's vision and values; advocates for our children and other vulnerable community members; and shows respect for, observance and compliance with Aboriginal cultural protocols, practice and ceremony. Our Aboriginality is what distinguishes us from mainstream services and what enables us to deliver the positive outcomes we achieve for our people.

About the role

VACCA is in the process of implementing trauma informed practice across all of its programs. The Therapeutic Practitioner within Family Services will support Case Managers and Families from this program where is identified by management.

The Therapeutic Practitioner will:

• Provide direct outreach client therapeutic work
• Provide trauma informed practice leadership in accordance with program guidelines for the Family Services programs.
• Undertake assessments and develop therapeutic plans to address the needs of children living in families where there has been a history of abuse or other trauma.
• Participate in care team meetings for families they are supporting as required
• Participate in regular fortnightly supervision sessions with the Family Services Manager and monthly task meetings with the Family Services Program Manager and Team Leaders to assist in the development of quality assurance and quality improvement frameworks for the therapeutic healing care of children in VACCA’s Northern Family Services programs.

About You

• An appropriate tertiary qualification in Psychology, Social Work, Family Therapy or a related discipline.
• Commitment to VACCA’s 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.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture and values and the ability to effectively communicate with Aboriginal children and their families and a demonstrated ability to contribute to Aboriginal children’s emotional, physical, psychological and cultural development.
• A proven ability to work successfully with Aboriginal children with a range of complex and diverse needs and an ability to respond therapeutically to Aboriginal children’s pain-based behaviours indicating an understanding of the impact of trauma and disrupted attachment on children.
• Developed understanding of the importance of culture and community connection as a means of addressing childhood trauma.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and direct service in trauma informed assessment and therapeutic practice with children and young people and their families.
• Highly developed ability to successfully provide secondary consultation and advice to other professionals in keeping with Aboriginal styles of learning in a practice area that is challenging and complex.
• Demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively and with the capacity to negotiate and liaise with DHHS, other agencies and the community.
• A sophisticated understanding of the complexity of the service system and the issues involved in providing services to statutory clients.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Requirement: Current COVID-19 vaccination, a Working with Children’s Check for a paid employee (or willingness to obtain) and a valid 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

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 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.