• Two positions available
• Ongoing - 60.8 hours per fortnight
• Fixed Term to 31 January 2025 - 45.60 hours per fortnight

The Family Services team provides individual support and case coordination to children, youth and families to make sustainable changes in the best interests of children and young people. Family Services works as part of the broader family services system and works closely with partner agencies to provide person-centred, responsive support towards supporting the best outcomes for children and young people.

The team promotes the safety, stability, wellbeing, development and cultural safety of children, young people and their families, and builds capacity and resilience for children, families and their communities.

About BCHS

Bendigo Community Health Services has cared for the health and wellbeing of the Bendigo community for 50 years. We employ more than 280 people across a broad range of services.

The success of BCHS starts with our staff, who have a high level of professionalism and dedication, allowing us to deliver quality services for the community, with a particular focus on vulnerable people.

Added benefits of working with BCHS include:

• Salary packaging
• Purchasing leave
• Study assistance
• Training programs
• Novated leasing

About the role

The Family Services Practitioner role will utilise an assertive outreach process through a variety of platforms to engage with children and families who have complex needs and where there are significant wellbeing concerns for children and young people. The practitioner will actively support families to achieve outcomes in the best interests of children and young people and engage with families in the development of clear goals and provide advocacy, information and resources to support family change.

The practitioner will also develop, participate and facilitate group sessions with children, young people and families; and assist families to connect with formal and informal networks that will support them to sustain change in the best interests of the children.

Key Selection Criteria

Essential

• A qualification in Social Work, Community Services, Community Welfare or Community Development related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in providing assertive outreach and case management and support to children, youth and families within an empowerment framework, with a comprehensive understanding of best practice principles, consent, advocacy and confidentiality.
• Demonstrated experience and skills in assessment and identifying risk in families.
• Demonstrated understanding of attachment and trauma - and how this may impact on children, young people and their families.
• Demonstrated experience in building rapport and professional relationships with people from diverse backgrounds as well as excellent interpersonal and communication skills with children, youth, families and professionals.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated understanding of the impact and gendered nature of family violence.
• A sound knowledge of the Victorian Children, Youth and Families Act 2005.
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude to the program and service.
• Current Driver’s Licence.
• Current Working with Children Check.

Desirable

• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the local service system.
• Intermediate to high level computer skills such as use of Microsoft Office programs, and electronic client management systems including Microsoft Teams.
• Demonstrated understanding of the social model of health and how it relates to consumers and best practice service delivery within a Community Health setting.
• The ability to confidentially maintain accurate records in accordance with BCHS procedures.

Probity requirements

• A Police Check (paid for by BCHS)
• Employee Working with Children Check

For further information about the position contact Megan Staley on 0427 796 452.

A position description is attached.