About us

The Foster Care Association of Victoria (FCAV) is the peak body for Victorian foster carers. Established in 1992, we are a not-for-profit organisation working towards better outcomes for foster carers and the children and young people in their care. Foster care is the backbone of the Victorian response to protective intervention for children and young people at risk.

Foster carers are the volunteers providing a home, family life and care to children and young people who are unable to live with their birth family for a variety of reasons. Many of these children have suffered traumatic events and the role of our foster carers is critical and complex in providing a safe and healing environment for children and young people to reach their full potential.

The FCAV is here to provide information, support and advocacy directly to all Victorian foster families. Our work directly impacts the care provided to the thousands of Victorian children and young people in foster care by providing:

• Carer Information & Support Service (CISS) - free, independent advice and support to foster carers
• Advocating on behalf of foster carers to government, their agencies and in the community
• Community building - as the only centralised body for all foster carers in the state; providing forums and carer events
• Providing carer news and updated information through our comprehensive website & regular newsletters
• State-wide Learning & Development opportunities for carers throughout Victoria through Carer KaFÉ.

The FCAV represents over 4,000 foster carers across Victoria. In tandem with one-to-one support we provide to individual foster carers, our role as a membership Association is to advocate for vital improvements to the foster care system. Our current member database consists of over 5,000 carers and the wider sector and community.

The FCAV is mandated to strengthen Victoria’s investment in greater recognition, respect and resources for foster carers, the volunteers who every day and every night make a difference in the lives of Victoria’s children and young people.

About the role

The CISS worker reports to the CISS Coordinator and will be based at the FCAV Office, located at Smith St Collingwood.

This permanent part-time position is 22.8 hrs per week, working Wednesday – Friday. The start date is Wednesday 1 July 2020 (this date is negotiable).

The Hourly pay rate for this position is $35.94 or $77,764 FTE x 0.6 = $46,658 per annum (inclusive of compulsory Superannuation) (based on level 4, pay point 2 of the Social and Community Services Award).

The successful applicant’s knowledge and experience will include:

• Working in the child and family welfare field; in Out-of-Home Care, Child Protection, Family Services, or other services working with vulnerable families and children
• An understanding of child development and theoretical frameworks for trauma, grief, loss and attachment relating to children and young people placed in foster and permanent care

• Knowledge of current legislation relevant to Out-of-Home Care
• Knowledge of Reconciliation.

The successful applicant will be required to undergo satisfactory pre-employment checks, including two referees, a criminal records check and a working with children check.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

For a copy of the position description, see attachment below, email [email protected], or call the CISS Coordinator to discuss the role on 03 9416 4292.