AFPRR Practitioner

• Position: Full time permanent position 
• Salary: $82,045 - $88,277 plus superannuation and salary package  
• Location: Chirnside Park

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

About the role

Aboriginal Family Preservation and Reunification Response (AFPR) program offers intensive initial intervention and a sustained service support aimed at preventing at-risk Aboriginal children from entering care. The teams core aim is to prevent removal of children from homes and aid children who have recently been placed in out-of-home care in being reunified with their families.  

The primary responsibility of AFPR Practitioners is to actively engage with Aboriginal families with children and young people, aiding them in fostering a safe and healthy family environment. The practitioner works with existing services, providing an enhanced continuum of care statewide.  The AFPR Practitioners are integral members of a small cohesive team under the leadership of the AFPR Response Team Leader.

About You

• Commitment to and understanding of the values that underpin VACCA’ vision and purpose.
• Ability to build strong relationships with clients in a culturally respectful and competent manner.
• Sound understanding of the issues that impact Aboriginal families, children, and young people, particularly those involved in Child Protection.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of child development and family dynamics, including attachment theories, intergenerational and personal trauma.
• Experience in applying and implementing risk assessment frameworks, service responses and strengths-based interventions when working with vulnerable families.
• Certificate, Diploma or Degree qualification in Community Services, Social Worker and/or substantial experience in these fields is desirable.
• Relevant work experience in Child Development, Social Work or Community Services field that supports an understanding of child development and family functioning including theories of attachment, intergenerational and personal trauma as well as relevant risk assessment frameworks, service responses and interventions in working with vulnerable families.
• Requirement: Current COVID-19 vaccination (including booster dose, as applicable), a Working with Children’s Check for a paid employee (or willingness to obtain), a Police Check, and a full Victorian Drivers Licence

What we can offer you

• A supportive environment that includes comprehensive induction
• The support of regular internal supervision
• Professional development and training opportunities 
• Attractive salary packaging to increase your take home pay
• 17.5%  loading on annual leave
• Fitness Passport - allowing you (and your family) access to any of the facilities available on this program 
• Access to agency vehicles for all work-related travel 
• Access to Employee support and wellbeing programs 
• Paid parental leave after 12 months of ongoing employment
• Opportunity to work and build connection with the Aboriginal Community and culture 

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people to apply 

All applications will require an a cover letter, current resume and Key Selection Criteria, which can be found on the Position Description.

Application closes by 7th April 2024

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