Aboriginal Community Engagement

This is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander designated position, classified under Section 12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010

Aboriginal Community Engagement (ACE), Balit Ngulu

Location: Preston, VIC

12-month contract (with potential for extension)

Salary: $81, $93, Super + Salary Packaging

Application Closing Date: 25th September 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.

We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Applicants from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, LGBTQI+ communities, and diverse cultures are strongly encouraged to apply. We welcome requests for adjustments throughout recruitment and employment to ensure accessibility and support.

About Balit Ngulu

The core function of Balit Ngulu is to provide Aboriginal children and young people (up to 21 years old) with appropriate legal advice and representation and support their empowerment and resilience within its service areas.  Balit Ngulu will aim to:

• Provide quality and timely legal services to Aboriginal children and young people for matters within Balit Ngulu's specified service locations of the Children's Court of Victoria.
• Support Aboriginal children and young people with legal assistance and services to help them grow within the community.
• Divert Aboriginal children and young people away from the justice system and seek incarceration alternatives for Aboriginal children and young people in contact with the justice system, including supporting and prioritising bail applications for those who are at risk of being remanded or are remanded in custody within Balit Ngulu's specified service locations.
• Assist Aboriginal children and young people to have a strong voice in Child Protection decisions that impact them and ensure that they are not removed from parental care unless there is an unacceptable risk harm. Where children are removed from parental care, provide strong advocacy to ensure that appropriate support is provided to enable reunification to occur and ensure that Aboriginal children remain connected to their family, community and culture when living out of parental care.
• Provide consistent contact and legal support with children and young people in the legal system.
• Provide legal education activities to vulnerable Aboriginal children and young people within service areas and those in youth detention.

Role Summary

The Aboriginal Community Engagement (ACE) Worker works alongside Balit Ngulu youth lawyers to provide culturally safe and trauma-informed support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people involved in both child protection and youth justice systems. This role focuses on wraparound support that addresses the complex needs of young people navigating these interconnected systems, with particular emphasis on keeping families together where safe and appropriate, and supporting diversion from formal legal processes.

Working within an integrated multidisciplinary team, the ACE Worker provides direct client support, cultural guidance, and advocacy to ensure young people and their families receive holistic, culturally appropriate assistance. The position will focus particularly on supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families engaging with child protection systems for the first time, providing them with quality legal support options and ensuring equitable access to justice through culturally informed advocacy and navigation assistance. The role requires deep understanding of how child protection and youth justice systems intersect and impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Work alongside Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children and young people (clients) to develop and implement safety and support plans that address both child protection concerns and youth justice involvement, focusing on family preservation and community-based solutions where appropriate.
• Support clients through child protection processes including Family Group Conferences, case planning meetings, and Children's Court proceedings, ensuring their voices are heard and cultural considerations are integrated into decision-making.
• Provide cultural support planning and advocacy for young people involved in youth justice matters, supporting diversion programs and community-based alternatives to detention.
• Support clients to access key information and services across both child protection and youth justice systems, undertaking client liaison and warm referrals to relevant support services including Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
• Advocate for culturally appropriate responses and outcomes in child protection and youth justice proceedings, working to minimize the harmful impacts of system involvement on young people and their families.
• Provide court support for clients attending Children's Court for both child protection and youth justice matters, ensuring they understand proceedings and feel supported throughout the process.
• Participate in multi-agency case planning and review processes with Child Protection, Youth Justice, residential care providers, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Represent and promote Balit Ngulu in professional networks and community settings, building relationships with key stakeholders across child protection and youth justice systems.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of contacts with and for clients and undertake other administrative tasks consistent with VALS policies and procedures.
• As directed by Balit Ngulu lawyer, lodge all necessary court documents for both child protection and youth justice matters.
• As directed, undertake other duties which are incidental and peripheral to the main tasks, provided that such duties are reasonable within the employee's skills, competence and training.

Key Selection Criteria

• The ACE worker role 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 Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Lived experience in an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community(ies) with demonstrated knowledge of issues that impact access to justice and support services for Aboriginal children and young people, particularly in relation to child protection and youth justice systems, ideally in Victoria.
• A Certificate IV in Youth Work, Diploma in Youth Work, Social Work, Community Services or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated experience working with Aboriginal children and young people, particularly those involved in child protection and/or youth justice systems.
• Understanding of trauma-informed practice and the impacts of intergenerational trauma on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
• Excellent written, verbal communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate sensitively with children, young people, and families experiencing crisis.
• The ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment including assertively and respectfully with partners, including ACCOs and persons working within Victorian courts, Child Protection services, police, youth justice and residential care services.
• Excellent computer skills and ability to maintain confidential client records.

Qualifications & Mandatory Checks

Minimum Qualifications and Requirements

• Certificate IV in Youth Work, Community Services, Social Work, or a related field, or a minimum of one year of relevant experience working with young people.
• Lived experience in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community(ies).
• Current driver licence and access to reliable transport.
• A current Employee Working with Children Check.
• A National Criminal History Check.
• Proof of work rights in Australia, such as an Australian passport, birth certificate, or valid visa documentation

Desirable Qualifications

• 2- 3 years' experience working with Aboriginal children, young people and families.
• 1- 2 years' experience in child protection or youth justice settings.
• Work within the not-for-profit sector, ideally within an ACCO.
• Understanding of trauma-informed and culturally safe practice principles.
• Experience with family preservation and whole-family support approaches.
• Knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols and kinship system.

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)
• Maintain own self-care and wellbeing with support of line management.
• 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.
• A copy of your current Employee Working with Children Check card
• A copy of your current Victorian Driver's License
• You will be required to complete a current Criminal History Police Check

Proof of rights to work in Australia, i.e. a copy of an Australian Passport, Birth Certificate or Immigration VISA documentation and 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 the subject line: 'Application for ACE Worker - Preston 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.