Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS)

Disability Advice Response Team (DART) Worker

Location: Preston, VIC | Part-Time | Fixed Term until 30 June 2026

Salary: $78,402.32 – 84,402.32 + Super + Salary Packaging

Application Closing Date: 15 August 2025

About VALS

The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) has been advocating for and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people since 1973. Our holistic services span criminal, family, civil and human rights law, youth legal services, 24/7 custody notification, housing, family violence programs, and much more. At VALS, we are committed to self-determination, equality, diversity, and inclusion and we are always evolving to meet community needs.

About Balit Ngulu

Balit Ngulu offers Aboriginal children and young people in Victoria:

Quality and timely legal assistance, including legal education, legal advice and representation at specific courts within Victoria.

Advocacy and support for incarceration alternatives.

Person-centred and culturally relevant support plans that keep them safe and build their positive sense of self and connection to community.

Non-legal and culturally appropriate case management by Aboriginal Community Engagement (ACE) worker in each region.

About the Role: Disability Advice Response Team (DART) Worker

In partnership with Melbourne City Mission (MCM), VALS will deliver Disability Advice and Response Team (DART) services to the criminal division of the Children’s Court as well as Marram-Ngala Ganbu (Koori Family Hearing Days) in Broadmeadows. As part of this program, the VALS DART Worker will be working alongside and form as part of our Balit Ngulu team. The DART Worker is expected to attend all criminal division and Marram-Ngala Court sitting days in Broadmeadows Children’s Court.

The DART Worker will assist the Children’s Court in identifying when a young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person (client) has a disability and will enable the presiding judicial officer to be better informed about any forms of disability the client may have. Drawing upon their knowledge and skills in support coordination, the DART Worker will build rapport and will support the young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander client in completing required screening processes and provide further referrals of allied health services where required. The DART Worker will have links with the MCM ECIS team when additional allied health supports are requested by the courts.

Key Responsibilities

Processing referrals at Court, completing an assessment using the prescribed assessment tool and maintaining records of whether young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander client possess indications of a disability or not.

Work directly with the Courts and other professionals (if any) to identify if a young Aboriginal and/Torres Strait Islander person with a disability has all the necessary supports.

Deliver in-person DART service at Children’s Court in Broadmeadows and Shepparton.

Receiving and processing referrals into the DART program capturing personal information required for young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander client/s.

Connecting and identifying key people to provide information on the young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander client/s’ current abilities and functioning.

Provide support to young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people outside of their court days; and some provision of remote service for young Aboriginal people attending other courts.

Provide assistance and advice to young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander client and their families and networks and the Department, on the presence or absence of a disability, and whether further investigation is warranted.

Provide support to young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander client/s to access key information and services. This includes undertaking client liaison, warm referrals to relevant support services such as with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and advocacy as appropriate.

Represent and promote Balit Ngulu and participate in client case planning processes with partner agencies.

Maintain accurate and timely records of contacts with and for clients and undertake other administrative tasks consistent with VALS policies and procedures.

As directed, lodge all necessary court documents and adhere to matters of confidentiality.

Participates in ongoing training and staff development and acts and remains professional at all times, upholding VALS values.

As directed, undertake other duties as directed which are incidental and peripheral to the main tasks, provided that such duties are reasonably within the employee’s skills, competence and training.

Attend all mandatory training sessions, including Equal Employment Opportunity, Occupational Health and Safety, Cultural Safety, and any other training deemed essential for the role.

Personal accountability

Compliance with all VALS values, code of conduct, policies and procedures and relevant government legislation and standards where relevant.

Demonstrate a commitment to the principles of social justice and aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity and respect regardless of their background, ability, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, or religion.

Ensure appropriate use of resources.

Actively participate in initiatives to maintain, build upon and promote a positive and collaborative workplace

Take reasonable care for your own health & safety, and health and safety of others (to extent required)

Promptly respond to and report health and safety hazards, incidents, and near misses to management.

Attend mandatory training sessions (ie. equal employment opportunity, health and safety, cultural safety) and mandatory training specific to position.

Key Selection Criteria

Essential:

Tertiary qualification and/or demonstrated experience working in the Community Services sector (Disability, Mental Health, Housing, Justice).

Demonstrated experience working with young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

Excellent written, verbal communication and interpersonal skills.

The ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment including assertively and respectfully with partners, including ACCOs and persons working within Victorian courts, police, youth justice and child protection and residential care services.

Excellent computer skills.

Desirable:

Knowledge of the Victorian legal system, including an understanding of the Children’s Court practices and procedures.

Experience working within the not-for-profit sector, ideally within an ACCO.

Experience of working as part of a whole-family and whole-community approach to supporting clients.

Experience working with people living with a disability.

Knowledge of the NDIS Act 2013, Disability Act 2006, and experience working in a NDIS environment.

Mandatory Requirements

The successful applicant must be able to provide or be willing to obtain:

Current Employee Working with Children Check

National Criminal History Police Check

Proof of Australian work rights (e.g. passport, birth certificate, or visa)

Current valid Victorian Driver’s Licence

Copies of any certificates or degrees relevant to this role

Why Join VALS?

We offer a supportive, flexible, and culturally safe working environment with a range of attractive benefits, including:

17.5% Leave Loading

5 additional days of annual leave on top of the standard 20 days

Time in Lieu (TOIL) system for any hours worked beyond your contracted 21 hours per week

Access to company vehicles for work-related travel

Generous salary packaging up to $15,900 via Maxxia

Opportunity to work alongside a passionate team committed to delivering culturally appropriate legal and support services for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities

Ongoing professional development and training opportunities

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How to Apply

To apply, please provide:

A covering letter introducing yourself and explaining your suitability for the role

A statement addressing each of the Key Selection Criteria (please note: applications without this will not be considered)

Your current resume, including education, professional experience, and two referees

Submit your application to [email protected] using the subject line:
‘Application for Aboriginal Youth, Family Centered Specialist Position at VALS’

VALS actively encourages and supports Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people to apply. This designated position provides a culturally safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where your knowledge and lived experience are highly valued.

Please note: We do not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies. No fees will be paid to agencies submitting candidates without a valid written agreement.