Case Manager - Nugel

VACCA - Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 93,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

Salary packaging options

Access to training programs

Fitness Passport

Parental leave after 12 months

Job summary

VACCA - Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency in Preston, VIC, is seeking a Nugel Case Manager to support Aboriginal children and families within the CYFA framework, transferring decision making to VACCA. The role focuses on culturally safe practices and collaborative work with government and sector partners to achieve safe, stable outcomes for children.

The successful candidate will apply a Cultural Therapeutic Ways approach, advocate for children’s voices, and coordinate care across

Qualifications

• Recognised Social Work degree or diploma of Community Services.
• Valid Police Check.
• Working with Children Check for paid employee (or willingness to obtain).
• Victorian Driver Licence.
• Current COVID-19 vaccination strongly recommended.

Responsibilities

• Work with Aboriginal children and families, and government partners to improve outcomes.
• Apply Nugel’s Cultural Therapeutic Ways approach to case work.
• Manage trauma-informed casework with children and families.
• Develop and review care plans, including risk assessments.
• Prepare accurate case notes and court reports.
• Collaborate with external stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.

Skills

Trauma-Informed Practice

Culturally Safe Casework

Risk Assessments

Care Planning

Report Writing

Stakeholder Coordination

Education

Social Work degree or Diploma of Community Services

Job description

• Salary : Between $93,114 to $100,188 (Based on qualifications and experience) plus super and salary packaging options

• Preston, VIC, Australia, 3072
• Permanent - Full time
• Position : Permanent, Full Time
• Location : Preston
• Salary : Between $93,114 to $100,188 (Based on qualifications and experience) plus super and salary packaging options

The Organisation

The Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) is an Aboriginal Community-Controlled organisation that supports and advocates for the Aboriginal Community and is the largest organisation of its 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.

About The Role

Reporting to the Team Leader, the Nugel Case Manager will have the opportunity to make a real-life difference in the lives of Aboriginal children and families involved in the child protection system. This position will be responsible for working with Aboriginal children and families, and Government and sector partners to strive for better outcomes for children and to build the capacity of families, so that children can remain at home safely, or can be transitioned home. Nugel implements Section 18 of the Child Youth and Families Act (CYFA) which transfers responsibility for decision making and direct work with Aboriginal children and their families from Department of Families Fairness and Housing (DFFH) Child Protection to VACCA. Key to transforming the way child protection is delivered is implementing Nugel’s unique practice approach which is based on Cultural Therapeutic Ways; a whole of agency approach that places culture at the centre and integrates this with theories of self-determination and trauma. The Nugel Case Manager is central to ensuring that this approach is applied to the case management of children, young people and families.

About You

• Commitment to VACCA's Vision and Aboriginal Cultural Awareness:
• Demonstrated understanding of and alignment with VACCA’s values and purpose, with the capacity to champion these internally and externally.
• Proven respect for Aboriginal cultures and societies, commitment to continuous learning, and high awareness of issues impacting Aboriginal communities.
• Experience in Trauma-Informed and Culturally Safe Casework:
• Proven ability to undertake casework with children who have experienced trauma and may present with challenging behaviours, using culturally safe therapeutic approaches to foster healing and resilience in line with legislations, policy and practice relating to Aboriginal children, families, and communities
• Strong understanding of child development, attachment, and trauma, particularly in relation to Aboriginal children.
• Communication, Negotiation, and Networking Skills:
• Effective yarning, deep listening, negotiation skills with Aboriginal children and families, demonstrating cultural appropriateness and sensitivity in all interactions.
• Proven ability to collaborate with external stakeholders (e.g., police, courts, service providers) to achieve positive outcomes.
• Ability in Assessments, Planning, and Documentation:
• Experience in conducting comprehensive assessments (including risk assessments) and developing, implementing, and reviewing care plans for children and young people.
• Strong report writing skills, with experience preparing accurate documentation such as case notes, incident reports, and court reports and capturing the child’s voice and that of various audiences.
• Resilience and Teamwork in Complex and Fast-Paced Environments:
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, complex team environment while managing competing demands with resilience.
• Commitment to self-care and providing support to the team, contributing to a positive and supportive workplace culture
• Requirements: A recognised Social Work degree or diploma of Community Services, Valid Police Check, a Working with Children’s Check for a paid employee (or willingness to obtain) and a Victorian Driver Licence. Current COVID-19 vaccination (Strongly Recommended).

What We Can Offer You

• 5 weeks annual leave
• Access to child protection and VACCA training programs
• Extensive support and training from VACCA’s in house legal service
• 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
• Fitness Passport - allowing you (and your family) access to any of the facilities available on this program
• 17.5% loading on annual leave
• 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

Application closes by 30 November 2026

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.