Advocate, Independent Family Advocacy Support

About this role

• 3 x Full time maximum term positions to June 2027 (part time considered)
• 2 x positions based at Melbourne office
• 1 x position based at either Geelong or Ballarat office
• Salary based on experience, range: $76,426 - $98,901 (pro rata) plus super
• 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 three committed and client-focused advocates to join our growing IFAS team as we expand the service to new areas. In his 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.  

 2 x roles are based at our Melbourne CBD office on Wurundjeri Country with 1 day fortnightly at a co-location outpost. These roles will require travel within metropolitan Melbourne.

 1 x role to be based at either our Geelong or Ballarat office on Wadawurrung Country, with regular travel required in the South West catchment area for co-location outposts and service delivery.

About you:
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• 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.

Don't meet every requirement? At VLA, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If you're excited about this role but your CV doesn't align perfectly with our job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or one of our many other opportunities.

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 cover letter addressing the key selection criteria.

If you require adjustment to the recruitment and selection process or need an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our team.

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

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Sunday 10 November 2024.

Other relevant information:

It is a requirement that staff attend for office-based days at their primary work location. In line with this requirement, interstate applications will be considered only where the candidate is able and willing to relocate to Victoria, unless part of a border community.

VLA is committed to putting the safety and wellbeing of children first.