• Position: Casual
• Salary: Salary between SCHADS Level- 2.4 to 3.1 ($35.14 - $36.00 per hour) PLUS casual loading PLUS penalties PLUS super - based on skills and qualifications 
• Location: Northern Region

About 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 strength lies with our people.

About the Role

Therapeutic Residential Care Worker will engage with the children and young people to develop a nurturing, positive relationship and to assist each child to deal with their trauma-based responses to life in a way that promotes healing, emotional growth and development of positive attitudes and life skills.

About you 

• Demonstrated understanding of, and commitment to, the values that underpin VACCA’ vision and purpose
• Experience working in the child, youth and family services sector (highly desirable) 
• A recognised Diploma of Community Services work or similar qualifications (mandatory)
• Proven experience in completing assessments, including assessments of risks and developing, implementing and reviewing plans for children and young people
• Proven ability to effectively communicate and negotiate with Aboriginal children and families, demonstrating effective and culturally appropriate interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated understanding of child development, attachment and trauma as they relate to Aboriginal children
• Demonstrated ability to work in a complex, fast paced team, and to demonstrate resilience in managing competing demands
• 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.
• Ability to respond therapeutically to Aboriginal children’s pain-based behaviours indicating an understanding of the impact of trauma and disrupted attachment on children.
• Ability to participate pro-actively and openly in the therapeutic team including the ability to give and receive feedback in a constructive, respectful manner.
• Well-developed written and oral communication skills including the ability to write case notes, Incident Reports, as well as completing financial administrative requirements.
• Ability to engage and build strong therapeutic relationships with young people
• Ability to follow direction from the Care Team, Line Management and to comply with all reporting and other documentation requirements.
• Ability to commit to a set roster of working shifts across a 24/7 period.
• Desirable: Minimum Cert 4 in Child, Youth and Family Intervention, or required to undertake. - Negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Requirement: Current COVID-19 vaccination (including booster dose, as applicable), a Working with Children’s Check for a paid employee (or willingness to obtain), a Police Check, and a full Victorian Drivers Licence

What VACCA can offer

• 5 weeks annual leave
• Access to child protection and VACCA training programs
• Extensive support and training from VACCA’s in house legal service
• 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

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply.

All applications must include your cover letter, current resume, and a document addressing the Key Selection Criteria.

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.