• Position: Part Time (Identified)
• Location: Preston
• Salary: Up to $119,092 plus superannuation and salary package options

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 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 Therapeutic Specialist will be responsible for working systemically within the Residential Services Program, providing creative and responsive support to carers and the management team. Our Residential Services Program works with children and young people who have experienced trauma and currently live away from family and often off country. This is complex work requiring a commitment to Aboriginal communities to support healing for the children and young people in residential services. The Therapeutic Specialist is the key driver of therapeutic practice and a trauma informed approach; the anchor that holds and guides each staff member to work in a way that is consistent, kind, sensitive, knowledgeable, flexible and attuned. 

The role has a key focus in working with each team and the young people they are caring for to ensure that the young people receive consistent support from the adults working with then that is attuned to their need and, trauma-informed. Understanding the young people, their history, family and community is essential to be able to support the systemic responses of the team of people supporting them. Attending the homes, care team meetings, staff meetings and providing reflective practices is foundational to this work. 

About You

• Demonstrated understanding of, and commitment to, the values that underpin VACCA’ vision and purpose and the capacity to take a leadership role in championing these internally and externally aligning with a high-level awareness of key issues that impact Aboriginal communities
• Demonstrated experience in working and engaging with Aboriginal families and children and experience in sectors working with children and families
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with trauma, specifically the impacts of developmental trauma, the complexities of dual diagnoses, and the regular presence of high-risk behaviour that may be trauma-based in young people.
• Ability to work creatively, understanding what supports healing including cultural healing approaches and the importance of working with community as an integral part of the young person’s healing journey.
• Demonstrated ability to provide clinical assessments, analyse information and write reports/ plans or therapeutic goals and strategies
• Strong commitment and demonstrated commitment to work collaboratively with key stakeholders such as DFFH, Child Protection, other agencies and the community to engage relevant services and advocate for improved outcomes for children and young people in residential care 
• A strong commitment to teamwork and the ability to cultivate productive working relationships and adapt communication and engagement strategies to the needs of the child, young person or staff member/staff team.
• Capacity to act as a role model by practicing your own self-care and self awareness and supporting others to do this as well
• Tertiary qualification in Psychology, Social Work or a related discipline and experience in a similar discipline (Mandatory)
• 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 and  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  Therapeutic Specialist - Resi - L6 - Part Time - Identified.pdf 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