Key Worker – South

• Position: Permanent, Full time
• Location: Dandenong
• Salary: $82,045 – $88,277 Plus Super & Benefits

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 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 Key Worker, operating within the Targeted Care Packages (TCP) program, has the crucial responsibility of providing intensive case management services to clients receiving TCP support, with a primary focus on reducing the number of children and young people residing in residential care, particularly Aboriginal children and those under 12 years old.

This role involves direct engagement with the clients, their families, carers, and other relevant parties to facilitate positive changes aligned with the child’s case plan and cultural support plan. With a small caseload, the Key Worker plays a pivotal role in achieving improved outcomes for the clients, emphasising personalised care and cultural sensitivity to address their unique needs and circumstances.

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.
• Demonstrated experience in working and engaging with Aboriginal families and children.
• Demonstrated experience in child and family sector.
• Demonstrated experience with Child development, attachment and trauma and the ability to use this knowledge to guide practice with Aboriginal children, families and carers.
• Legislation, policy and practice requirements relating to Aboriginal children, families and communities.
• Ability to undertake complex casework with families and children who have experienced trauma and may present with challenging behaviours, including using culturally safe therapeutic approaches to heal and build resilience.
• Ability to complete assessments, including assessments of risk.
• Advanced ability to develop, implement and review plans for children and young people.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and negotiate with Aboriginal children, families, carers and other service providers to achieve outcomes.
• Ability to advocate on behalf of Aboriginal children and families.
• Well-developed written and computer skills with the ability to prepare reports (including court reports) and maintain client records to a high standard.

Requirements

• Diploma of Community Services or equivalent
• You must have and continue to hold a full Victorian Driver’s Licence and a current employment working with children check card

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.

Position Description – TCP Key Worker – Southern L4

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.