• Position    : Permanent, Full Time
• Location   : Preston
• Salary      : Between $88,099 to $94,791 plus super and salary packaging options

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 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 Youth and Family Support Worker for Gamadji Balit Residential Services will engage with the children, young people and their families to develop culturally safe, healthy and collaborative relationships and to assist each child to deal with their trauma-based responses to life in a way that promotes healing, emotional growth and development of positive attitudes and life skills.

About You

• Sound knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture, values and commitment to continually learn of such, along with a high level of awareness of the key issues which impact upon Aboriginal communities.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a range of professionals, stakeholders and community and a commitment to the principles of Gamadji Balit in this work supporting young people. These include: My Culture identity, my voice
  • • Cultural Participation of Family
    • Cultural Connection to Country
    • Mutual Cultural Respect
    • Collective Responsibility
• A demonstrated ability to contribute to Aboriginal children’s emotional, physical, psychological and cultural development including a proven ability to work with Aboriginal children with a range of complex and diverse needs and an ability to respond therapeutically to Aboriginal children’s pain-based behaviours indicating an understanding of the impact of trauma and disrupted attachment on children.
• Demonstrated strong relationship skills in particular experience working with young people and families; establishes and maintains relationships with people; promotes harmony and consensus through diplomatic handling of disagreements and constructive and respectful feedback; forges useful partnerships; builds trust through consistent actions, values and communication; minimises surprises.
• Strong teamwork skills including well developed problem-solving, strengths-based practice, working collaboratively with other stakeholders, and working towards goals.
• Strong organisational and reporting skills: ability to plan, meet deadlines, and communicate progress clearly.
• Well-developed written and oral communication skills including the ability to write case notes, Incident Reports and reports on the children as required.
• Ability to work autonomously and self-manage within a broader team.
• A willingness to participate in training and supervision as requested.
• Demonstrated experience in Case Management, preferably with young people in Out of Home Care
• Demonstrated understanding and experience with the Residential Care Performance Audit Program, or similar audit measures.
• Demonstrated familiarity with Client Relationship Information System (CRIS) or a willingness to learn, experienced in Microsoft Office Suite: able to use MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, MS Teams
• Requirements: Valid Police Check, a Victorian Working with Children’s Check for a paid employee (or willingness to obtain), First Aid Certificate (or willingness to obtain) and a Victorian Driver Licence. Current COVID-19 vaccination (Strongly Recommended)

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
• Fitness Passport - allowing you (and your family) access to any of the facilities available on this program 

 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  Youth and Family Worker - Various Locations - L4.pdf to download the position description for this role. 

Application closes by 7 April 2026

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