• Position : Permanent Full Time
• Location : Preston
• Salary : $85,886 to $94,589 plus superannuation 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

Reporting to the Team Leader and supported by senior staff, Case Managers will hold a mixed caseload of children authorised to VACCA as well as undertaking investigations into new child protection reports and making assessments and recommendations if a child is in need of protection. If the child is found to be in need of protection the Case Manager will work directly with children, families and community to ensure the child’s safety and wellbeing.

As with all of VACCA’s work this will be guided by cultural values aiming to wrap our service response around the family and community as a whole in order to restore circles of care that is at the heart of the Aboriginal Way of protecting children.

About You

• Understanding and commitment to VACCA's values and ability to lead in promoting these values internally and externally.
• A Social Work/Community Services degree or a similar qualification in welfare or behavioral studies, with a focus on child development, counseling, or case work (mandatory).
• Awareness and respect for Aboriginal cultures, with a commitment to continuously learning about them and understanding key issues affecting Aboriginal communities.
• Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with Aboriginal children and families, using culturally appropriate skills like active listening and empathy.
• Experience working with children and families who have experienced trauma, using culturally safe therapeutic approaches to support healing and resilience.
• Knowledge of child development, attachment, and trauma, particularly in relation to Aboriginal children.
• Understanding of laws, policies, and practices affecting Aboriginal children, families, and communities.
• Experience with investigations, interviews, and documenting evidence.
• Ability to assess risks and create, implement, and review plans for children and young people.
• Experience preparing accurate reports (e.g., case notes, incident reports, court reports) tailored to the audience.
• Ability to work with other service providers, like police and courts, to achieve outcomes.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, complex team and manage competing demands, while maintaining resilience and supporting self-care.
• Requirements: Current COVID-19 vaccination (including booster, if applicable), Working with Children’s Check (or willingness to obtain), and a Victorian Driver Licence.

What we can offer you

• 5 weeks annual leave
• 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 and regular internal supervision
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Attractive salary packaging to increase your take home pay
• Fitness Passport - allowing you (and your family) access to any of the facilities available on this program
• 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

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 visit the VACCA careers page to download the position description for this role.

Application closes by 6 April 2025

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.