• Position  : Aboriginal Child Specialist Advisor
• Salary    : $85,120 - $91,586 plus superannuation and salary packaging options
• Location : Hamilton

The Organisation

The Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community 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 Lakidjeka Aboriginal Child Specialist Advise Support Service (ACSASS) provides specialist advice and case consultation to Child Protection about culturally appropriate intervention in respect of all reports relating to alleged harm of children and significant decisions in all phases of child protection

This role will:

• Work in strong partnership with child protection to ensure the rights and best interests of Aboriginal children who have come to the attention of child protection are upheld and maintained
• Respond to and work closely with child protection staff in the local area to meet with families where allegations of abuse and neglect of children have been made
• Participate and provide advice to child protection in case planning to ensure an Aboriginal perspective is considered in assessments, placement planning and decision making of the child
• Support child protection to identify and locate Aboriginal family members who can provide support and care to the child and family
• Develop and maintain external relationships with services in the interests of the child and family
• Undertake all of the reporting requirements required of the role, such as completing case notes and file maintenance

About You

• Demonstrated understanding of, and commitment to, the values that underpin VACCA’ vision and purpose
• Demonstrated understanding in working with Aboriginal families and children. 
• Experience working in the child, youth, and family sectors will be highly valued.
• A sound knowledge of child development and childhood trauma. 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and privacy 
• Capacity to work both independently and as a member of a team. 
• Requirement: 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 Drivers Licence.

What VACCA can offer you

• 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

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

All applications must include your current resume, and a document addressing the Key Selection Criteria, which can be found in the PD. Click here  Aboriginal-Child-Specialist-Advisor-PD-Hamilton.pdf to download the position description for this role. 

Application closes by October 23, 2024

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