Careers
Working or volunteering for Very Special Kids offers a unique, rewarding and fulfilling opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of children, young people and families facing childhood life-limiting illness. Our circa 100 employees and more than 600 volunteers provide essential, free-of-charge paediatric palliative care services across Victoria.
Culture at Very Special Kids
At Very Special Kids, we cultivate a nurturing and inclusive culture that prioritises the empowerment, support, and safety of our team members as they care for children and families.
We value teamwork, collaboration, and personal growth, creating a positive atmosphere that encourages professional development and wellbeing.
Our goal is for our workforce to reflect the diverse community we serve. We continually seek to employ people of any gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, with a disability, Aboriginal Australians and varied cultural backgrounds.
Why work at Very Special Kids
Learning and development – we are committed to providing programs and opportunities to develop and maintain a highly skilled workforce, including formal and on the job training, and professional development allowance.
Benefits – employees can access discounted health insurance, wellbeing support, an immunisation program, a very special discounts program and free onsite parking.
Careers – we offer generous study leave and study assistance to all employees, a learning and development allowance and annual performance reviews.
Compensation – as a not-for-profit organisation, all employees are entitled to salary packaging benefits including novated car leasing and generous leave entitlements. Service delivery staff receive added value through their enterprise agreement.
Meet some team members
Meg - family support team leader
Meg has been with Very Special Kids since 2013 and worked with us in the early 2000s. Meg is the Team Leader of our highly professional Family Support Team.
Meg has a Bachelor of Science Health from the University of Texas, San Antonio, a Bachelor of Social Work, and a Master of Social Work, both from the University of Melbourne. She is also undertaking a PhD at the University of Melbourne, researching the lived experiences of bereaved siblings aged 5years to 12years. Her specific areas of practice include grief and bereavement counselling and support, psychosocial support, advocacy, play-based counselling with children, children’s rights, community education and program development.
Meg facilitates the Very Special Kids Children’s Advisory Group, where members are responsible for sharing ideas, views, insights, reflections and providing input into the way Very Special Kids supports children within the organisation.
Meg is EPEC paediatrics trained and is a member of the International Work Group of Death, Dying and Bereavement.
Cat - fundraising manager
Cat joined Very Special Kids in May 2021 after many years working with children’s charities.
The former primary school teacher is now part of the team who raise the valuable funds that keeps Very Special Kids open and free to families. “Knowing that every dollar I am able to raise goes towards the crucial programs and services helping the very special children and families in our care, keeps me motivated.”
And on working with Very Special Kids, Cat says: “I feel grateful every single day to work for Very Special Kids – what a very special bunch of people! You’d be hard pressed to find a more rewarding and heart-warming organisation to work for. All our colleagues live and breathe the ethos, and as a result I get to work with such kind, caring and genuine people every day.”
Belinda - physiotherapist
Belinda joined the team in 2017, in a newly created physiotherapy role at our children’s hospice, Very Special Kids House.
Belinda has relished the opportunity to develop the therapeutic offering in the hospice, helping children to do the things that really matter to them and their families. “There are so many more experiences for children and young people in the new hospice. In particular the hydrotherapy pool has become a popular facility where they can have fun, relax, exercise and play”.
Belinda says “While there are moments of sadness, there are also many magical moments of joy and making the most of every day. Very Special Kids is without a doubt my favourite place to work and I am certain I have the best job in the hospice!”
Current vacancies
Hospice manager
Full time position
We are currently seeking a Hospice Manager to lead our clinical team at Very Special Kids.
Reporting to the General Manager Clinical Services, the Hospice Manager is responsible for the operational leadership and day-to-day management of hospice services, ensuring safe, sustainable and high-quality delivery of paediatric palliative care. This is an ambassadorial role that extends beyond clinical operations, engaging with key internal and external stakeholders, including Board members and participation in the Clinical Risk and Governance Committee and Family Advisory Committee. The role provides a unique opportunity to influence models of care while maintaining a visible and supportive leadership presence within the hospice setting.
Leading a team of six, the Hospice Manager oversees workforce capability, service coordination and the delivery of integrated care across clinical and allied health, partnering closely with family support services. The position works in close partnership with clinical governance, medical leadership and organisational functions including fundraising and marketing, to ensure alignment between service delivery, community engagement and sustainability.
To succeed in this role, you will be a Registered Nurse with current AHPRA registration and demonstrated experience in a senior clinical leadership role within complex care environments. You bring experience leading multidisciplinary teams, ideally within paediatric services, with palliative care experience highly regarded. You bring personal resilience and lead with empathy, building trusted relationships through clear communication and a collaborative approach. You operate confidently across both frontline service delivery and broader organisational priorities, balancing strategic oversight with day-to-day operational leadership.
This is a rare opportunity to join a deeply respected organisation and play a meaningful role in shaping care experiences for children, young people and their families, while contributing to the ongoing evolution of a unique and impactful service.
Click here for position description.
Applications are open until Sunday 17 May. Please include a cover letter and an updated copy of your resume to Manelle Connelly on manelle.connelly@davidsonwp.com or Michelle Lyon on michelle.lyon@davidsonwp.com. We will review applications as they are received.
Remuneration on offer is reflective of the responsibilities and management level of this position. As a management position it is outside the EBA framework.
Event coordinator
Permanent part time position
We are looking for a part time Event Coordinator to support the planning and delivery of high-quality Fundraising Events that create meaningful experiences for our supporters and directly contribute to the work of Very Special Kids.
Working closely with the Fundraising Events Specialist and wider Fundraising & Marketing team, you will coordinate event logistics end-to-end across a range of campaigns and events, helping to ensure each event is well planned, smoothly delivered and financially successful.
Key Responsibilities
– Coordinate the end-to-end planning and delivery of fundraising events, including timelines, run sheets and operational plans.
– Coordinate event logistics including venues, catering, AV, production, registrations, site plans, parking requirements and event day operations.
– Liaise with suppliers, venues, contractors and volunteers, obtain quotes, and help ensure services are delivered to agreed timelines and standards.
– Assist with risk assessments, safety plans, permits and onsite checks, and help monitor crowd flow and event compliance requirements.
– Work collaboratively with internal teams to support event promotion, ticketing, collateral, signage, volunteer coordination and stakeholder communication.
– Assist with event budgets, invoice processing, equipment coordination, pack down, venue handover and post-event reporting and debriefs.
About you
– You are a highly organised and proactive event professional who enjoys coordinating moving parts, building strong working relationships and helping deliver exceptional events.
You bring:
– Relevant qualifications in Event Management, Marketing or a related discipline are preferred, together with experience supporting events end-to-end.
– Minimum 3 years’ experience supporting events, with proven experience coordinating events end-to-end.
– Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks, deadlines and event priorities at once.
– Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the confidence to work with internal teams, suppliers, guests, participants and volunteers.
– High attention to detail, practical problem-solving ability, and a proactive approach to supporting smooth event delivery.
– Proficiency in Microsoft Office, with experience in Salesforce and peer-to-peer platforms desirable.
– A compassionate, energetic and values-driven approach, with the ability to work collaboratively, show initiative and remain effective under direction.
Click here for position description.
Applications are open until Sunday 14 June. Please include a cover letter, addressing the key selection criteria and an updated copy of your resume to jobs@vsk.org.au. We will review applications as they are received.
Family support practitioner
Full time position, based in Officer
We have an exciting opportunity for a full-time experienced practitioner to join our inclusive team of professional staff, based throughout Victoria, responsible for the delivery of psychosocial support to families.
With backgrounds in social work, psychology, family therapy and counselling, the team provides a range of child and family-centred programs including counselling, sibling support, trained volunteers, group work activities and bereavement support.
If you are passionate about caring for children and are seeking more purpose, fulfilment, and connection in your everyday work, Very Special Kids might be your perfect fit?
The role will be Full-time located in the office in Officer and will be required to provide support to families in the Gippsland, outer southeast and Peninsula regions. Our services are delivered in person, over the phone and through telehealth outreach. The successful candidate will be required to attend head office in Malvern on a regular basis.
The successful applicant will have:
– Tertiary qualifications in social work or psychology.
– Direct experience working with children and families in grief and bereavement.
– Experience working in paediatric palliative care will be well regarded.
– Demonstrated ability to provide trauma informed therapeutic intervention.
– Knowledge of current loss, grief and bereavement theory and practice.
– Demonstrated ability to undertake psychosocial assessment.
– Excellent interpersonal, written communication and problem-solving skills.
– Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to working within the Victorian Child Safe Standards.
– A commitment to inclusive practice.
– Demonstrated capacity and experience working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
– Current driver’s licence, good driving record and willingness to use own vehicle for work related travel.
Click here for position description.
Applications are open until Sunday 14 June. Please include a cover letter, addressing the key selection criteria and an updated copy of your resume to jobs@vsk.org.au. We will review applications as they are received.
Family support practitioner
Full time position, based in Malvern
We have an exciting opportunity for a full-time experienced practitioner to join our inclusive team of professional staff, based throughout Victoria, responsible for the delivery of psychosocial support to families.
With backgrounds in social work, psychology, family therapy and counselling, the team provides a range of child and family-centred programs including counselling, sibling support, trained volunteers, group work activities and bereavement support.
If you are passionate about caring for children and are seeking more purpose, fulfilment, and connection in your everyday work, Very Special Kids might be your perfect fit?
We have an exciting opportunity for a full-time experienced practitioner’s to join our inclusive team of professional staff, based throughout Victoria, responsible for the delivery of psychosocial support to families.
With backgrounds in social work, psychology, family therapy and counselling, the team provides a range of child and family-centred programs including counselling, sibling support, trained volunteers, group work activities and bereavement support.
If you are passionate about caring for children and are seeking more purpose, fulfilment, and connection in your everyday work, Very Special Kids might be your perfect fit?
The role will be Full-time located at our Malvern site in Very Special Kids House. Our state-of-the-art hospice (including hydrotherapy pool) is a world class facility to support the complex needs of the children and young people in our care. The role is required to provide support for families in inner and outer metro Melbourne. Our services are delivered in person, over the phone and or through telehealth outreach.
The successful applicant will have:
– Tertiary qualifications in social work or psychology.
– Direct experience working with children and families in grief and bereavement.
– Experience working in paediatric palliative care will be well regarded.
– Demonstrated ability to provide trauma informed therapeutic intervention.
– Knowledge of current loss, grief and bereavement theory and practice.
– Demonstrated ability to undertake psychosocial assessment.
– Excellent interpersonal, written communication and problem-solving skills.
– Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to working within the Victorian Child Safe Standards.
– A commitment to inclusive practice.
– Demonstrated capacity and experience working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
– Current driver’s licence, good driving record and willingness to use own vehicle for work related travel.
Click here for position description.
Applications are open until Sunday 14 June. Please include a cover letter, addressing the key selection criteria and an updated copy of your resume to jobs@vsk.org.au. We will review applications as they are received.
