Aboriginal Child Specialist Advisor

**Position : Full Time, Ongoing**:

- **Salary***:$82,045 - $86,349 (including 11% super) (based on skills & experience) Plus attractive Salary Packaging **option**:

- **Locations**:Ballarat**

***The Organisation**

The Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) is the largest organization of its kind in Australia. VACCA is an Aboriginal community-controlled organization that supports and advocates for the Aboriginal community. Our strength lies with our people. Our team is committed to the organisation’s vision and values; advocates for our children and other vulnerable community members; and shows respect for, observance and compliance with Aboriginal cultural protocols, practice, and ceremony. Our Aboriginality is what distinguishes us from mainstream services and what enables us to deliver the positive outcomes we achieve for our people.

Central to VACCA’s work is the importance of connection to family, community, and culture as essential to Aboriginal children’s safety, stability and ensuring that they have an ongoing sense of belonging. As Victoria’s largest Aboriginal child welfare agency, VACCA will play a key role in the process of transitioning the care and case management of Aboriginal children from government and non
- Aboriginal organisations to Aboriginal community-controlled organisations following the recent decision of the Victorian Government.

VACCA is implementing cultural therapeutic ways which is an agency wide framework that underpins our work with the community, our clients and staff.

**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**
- Demonstrated understanding of, and commitment to the values that underpin VACCA's vison and purpose and the capacity to take a leadership role in championing these internally and externally
- 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
- Sound knowledge & understanding of Aboriginal culture and values and an ability to share this knowledge with child protection and other services
- Demonstrated understanding of the issues impacting on Aboriginal families that lead to child protection involvement
- Demonstrated ability to work closely with child protection and other services to advocate for the child and support the best interests of children
- Demonstrated ability to identify risk of harm to children and young people and undertake risk assessments within a cultural framework
- Demonstrated ability and experience working independently and within a small team
- Ability to work in a pressured environment and prioritising work and meeting deadlines
- **Desirable**: A relevant welfare qualification and experience working in the community services sector
- **Requirements**: 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**
- 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 des