Therapeutic Residential Care Worker - Part Time/Full Time

Position: Part Time/Full Time

Salary: Competitive compensation within Salary between SCHADS Level - 2.4 to 3.1 ($69,435.08 - $71,128.72) PLUS penalties PLUS super based on skills and Qualifications

Location: Northern Region

About VACCA

The Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) stands as the largest organization of its kind in Australia. As an Aboriginal community-controlled organization, VACCA is dedicated to supporting and advocating for the Aboriginal community. Our foundation rests upon the strength of our people.

Committed to the organisation's vision and values, our team passionately advocates for our children and other vulnerable community members. We demonstrate utmost respect for, adherence to, and compliance with Aboriginal cultural protocols, practices, and ceremonies.

Our unique Aboriginal identity sets us apart from mainstream services and empowers us to consistently deliver positive outcomes for our people. It is the essence of our identity that fuels our success in creating meaningful impacts.

About the Role

Therapeutic Residential Care Worker will engage with the children and young people to develop a nurturing, positive relationship and to assist each child to deal with their trauma-based responses to life in a way that promotes healing, emotional growth and development of positive attitudes and life skills.

The key to success in this role is the following:

• Demonstrated understanding of, and commitment to, the values that underpin VACCA’ vision 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 and understanding of Aboriginal culture and values and the ability to effectively communicate with Aboriginal children and their families.
• A demonstrated ability to contribute to Aboriginal children’s emotional, physical, psychological and cultural development.
• A proven ability to work with Aboriginal children with a range of complex and diverse needs.
• An ability to respond therapeutically to Aboriginal children’s pain-based behaviours indicating an understanding of the impact of trauma and disrupted attachment on children.
• An ability to provide therapeutic parenting to children who have been traumatised.
• Ability to participate pro-actively and openly in the therapeutic team including the ability to give and receive feedback in a constructive, respectful manner.
• Ability to complete household tasks such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, transporting children.
• Well-developed written and oral communication skills including the ability to write case notes, Incident Reports and reports on the children as required.
• Ability to complete financial and administrative requirements such as petty cash, pocket money, handover summary sheets.
• A willingness to participate in training and supervision as requested.
• Ability to work collaboratively with child protection workers, schools, police and Aboriginal and mainstream organizations.

Requirements: 

• Applicants must have a minimum Cert 4 in Child, Youth and Family Intervention or be prepared to undertake such study as part of the employment agreement.
• Current COVID-19 vaccination (including booster dose, as applicable)

What we can offer

If you choose to start a professional career with VACCA, we offer a range of services and incentives;

• A supportive environment that includes comprehensive induction and 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 
• 13 weeks 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 Islander people to apply.

 Applications should include a cover letter, key selection criteria and a current resume. We encourage applicants to view the Position Description before applying. Please click here to View the Position Description.

 Application closes 01 April, 2024

At our core, we uphold the principles of Aboriginal self-determination, dedicating ourselves to the support of robust, secure, and flourishing Aboriginal communities. Our commitment extends to ensuring that every individual is treated with utmost dignity, respecting diverse cultural backgrounds, abilities, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, and spiritual beliefs.

VACCA operates as a child-safe organisation, unwavering in our dedication to the safety and well-being of children and young people. We maintain a zero-tolerance stance against child abuse. Successful applicants will undergo a thorough National Police Record Check and Working with Children Check before employment and periodically thereafter.

As an equal-opportunity employer, VACCA adheres to a smoke-free workplace policy, fostering an inclusive environment that values diversity and individual contributions.