Advocate, Independent Family Advocacy Support

**Full time maximum term position to June 2027 (0.8FTE part time considered)**:

- **Salary range: $76,426 - $98,901 (pro rata) plus super plus salary packaging**:

- **Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model**

**About the role**:
Join a unique and innovative service supporting clients involved in the child protection system.

VLA's Independent Family Advocacy and Support (IFAS) provides non-legal advocacy to parents involved in the early (pre-court) stages of child protection. IFAS has a particular focus on supporting First Nations families, parents with an intellectual disability, and families from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

We are seeking a committed and client-focused advocate to join our growing IFAS team as we expand the service to new areas. In this role, you will provide high quality non-legal advocacy services to parents, including the provision of information about child protection decision-making processes; supporting clients to understand their rights and self-advocate; making referrals to legal and non-legal services; and assisting clients through direct advocacy with Child Protection and other relevant agencies.

You will work closely with other advocates, senior advocates, the IFAS Manager and lived experience consultant, as well as legal and other colleagues in VLA. You will also maintain strong referral relationships with agencies in the child and family services system, including through outreach and co-location.
- The role is based at our Melbourne CBD office on Wurundjeri Country with 1 day fortnightly at a co-location outpost. This role will require travel within metropolitan Melbourne._

**About you**:

- Experience in advocacy, social work or community development with clients in the child protection, community services or justice systems.
- Knowledge of the child protection system, child and family services and relevant legal and policy frameworks.
- Experience working with First Nations families, adults with intellectual disabilities, and/or people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, particularly within the child protection system.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to build rapport with clients quickly.
- Post-secondary qualification (certificate, diploma or degree) in a relevant field such as social work, human services or community development.

**About Victoria Legal Aid**:
We provide legal representation to those who need it most. With over 1300 staff employed in 16 offices across Victoria, we help people with their legal problems by providing information, advice and education with a focus on the prevention and early resolution of legal problems.

Our clients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds and foster a work culture that's inclusive as well as diverse. Your unique ideas and perspectives are valued so that we best represent the people we serve.

**Employee benefits**:

- Focus on work-life balance including flexible working arrangements
- Hybrid work from home & office model
- Training and professional development opportunities
- Excellent salary packaging options including General Expenses up to $15,900, Meals & Entertainment up to $2,650 and Novated Leasing
- Opportunity to join Myki Commuter Club(and salary package the cost)
- Supportive team environment in modern offices (including free gym and end-of-trip facilities at our CBD office)
- Access to discounted Private Health Insurance

**How to apply**:
To be considered for this role, please submit a current **resume** and and a **cover letter addressing the key selection criteria.**

For further information review the attached position description or contact Robyn Buchanan, Manager, IFAS on (03) 9093 3752.

**Applications close by 11.59pm on Wednesday 12 February 2025.**

**Other relevant information**:
VLA is committed to putting the safety and wellbeing of children first.