• Position: Full time, Ongoing
• Salary : Competitive salary with salary packaging option available
• Location : Preston

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’s Nugel program has been at the forefront, transforming the business of protecting children so as to truly meet the best interests of Aboriginal children today and for generations to come. Nugel, which means “belong” in Woiwurrung, offers a new model of child protection practice that involves Aboriginal organisations working in partnership with Aboriginal families. Nugel believes that Aboriginal children “belong,” and have a sacred place at the centre of Aboriginal communities – they have an inviolable right to be seen; to be heard; to be nurtured; and to be safe. They have the right to know who they are, where they come from and where they belong. Nugel understand that the best way to achieve this is to wrap our service response around the family and community as a whole in order to restore circles of care that have been a part of the Aboriginal Way of protecting children since the times of the ancestors.

The Case Support Worker will work cooperatively with Case Managers and under the direction of the Team Leader, undertaking a variety of case support work and administration tasks. These tasks will include making referrals, researching supports, supervising visits between children and their families where there are safety issues, transporting children to services and providing in home support to families as well as accompanying Case Managers on outreach visits.

About You

The successful applicant will possess:

• 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.
• 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.
• Demonstrated understanding of working with Aboriginal families and children.
• A sound knowledge of child development and childhood trauma.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and privacy.
• Writing skills with the ability to make case notes, write letters and emails.
• Ability to receive instruction and ensure tasks are completed to a high standard.
• Capacity to work both independently and as a member of a team.
• Flexibility in supervising contact across a range of venues.
• Knowledge of the Victorian Child Restraint Regulations and competent in the fitting and use of restraints.
• An ability to engage and support children with a range of behavioural issues.
• 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

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 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.