Aboriginal Child Specialist Advisor

**Position : Full Time, Ongoing**:

- **Salary***:$91,070 - $97,988 (including 11% super) (based on skills & experience) Plus attractive Salary Packaging **option**:

- **Locations**:Dandenong**

***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 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 Aboriginality is what distinguishes us from other community organisations and it is why we are able to deliver positive outcomes that lead to ongoing change.

Our strength lies with our people, and all people are welcome at VACCA

**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.

The Lakidjeka program does not have direct responsibility for case work. The role of the program is to provide advice and support to inform the respectful engagement of families, risk and other assessments, planning, monitoring and reviews undertaken by child protection.

The program works closely with the child protection offices within the local region to:

- Provide an Aboriginal and cultural perspective on all risk and safety assessments
- Support child protection to engage Aboriginal children and families in a fair and respectful manner
- Improve case management and decision-making processes concerning Aboriginal children
- Advocate for the rights and interests of Aboriginal children in all assessments, planning and decision making and at court
- Support Aboriginal families to meet with child protection and understand the legal processes.

**About You**
- Sound knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture and values and an ability to share this knowledge with child protection and other services
- Understanding of the issues impacting on Aboriginal families that lead to child protection involvement
- Ability to work closely with child protection and other services to advocate for the child and support the best interests of children
- Ability to identify risk of harm to children and young people and undertake risk assessments within a cultural framework
- Sound administrative skills, including computer skills, record keeping including maintaining case notes, file maintenance and data recording
- Ability to work flexible hours.
- **Desirable**: A relevant welfare qualification and experience working in the community services sector.
- **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 valid Victorian Drivers License

**What we can offer you**
- Professional support and training via in-house learning and development training modules
- Attractive salary packaging to increase your take home pay
- Great career development opportunities.
- Access to Employee support and wellbeing program(s)
- 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**

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 to view the position description**

**Application closes by 25 Aug 23**

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.