• Position: Ongoing, Part Time
• Location: Preston
• Salary: Salary between SCHADS Level 5.1 - 5.3 ($93,858.96 - $98,111.52) PLUS super based on skills and Qualifications

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

The Family Worker (KEYS) is responsible for supporting and strengthening relationships between young people and their families, promoting meaningful connection and opportunities for family coaching and modelling as part of the families’ healing from trauma experience. Where possible, the Family Worker (KEYS) will assist in identifying and supporting reunification pathways as part of exit planning from the KEYS model.

About You

• Demonstrated commitment and understanding for the values that underpin VACCA’ vision and purpose
• Demonstrated awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal societies and cultures, and commitment to continually build knowledge of such, along with a high level of awareness of the key issues which impact upon Aboriginal communities.
• Knowledge of the complexity and issues in the provision of Therapeutic Residential Care.
• Demonstrated ability to respond therapeutically to Aboriginal children’s pain-based behaviours indicating an understanding of the impact of trauma and disrupted attachments on different levels of family systems.
• Well-developed knowledge of familial and kinship systems within Aboriginal culture
• Commitment to advocate for families and to find ways to build relationships and engage family members from a broad range of backgrounds, including the voice of family member in the case planning of young people.
• Foundational understanding of intensive family work, including conflict resolution, parenting education, family reunification and family support.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills alongside the ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team and collaborate with a broad range of services.
• Willingness to engage in further training and professional development to target the skills and knowledge areas of the role, for any of the areas above.  
• Experience working with Aboriginal families in community.
• Current COVID-19 vaccination (including booster if applicable)  

Desirable

• An Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and/or someone with strong connections to community will be highly regarded for this role
• Relevant qualification in Family Therapy or similar discipline/framework or less formal qualifications with demonstrated experience in similar role, are desirable but not essential.

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

 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

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