The Centre is the peak body for child and family services in Victoria and Tasmania. For over 100 years we have advocated for the rights of children and young people to be heard, to be safe, to access education and to remain connected to family, community and culture. We represent over 150 community service organisations, students and individuals working across the continuum of child and family services, from prevention and early intervention to the provision of out-of-home care.

The Centre provides public policy and program advice, delivers sector training, facilitates and publishes research, advocates for positive reform and works with our member agencies to make sure children and families have access to the services and supports they need. We also provide consultancy services for the child and family services sector, run regular forums across a range of policy and practice areas, and manage projects designed to improve sector practice.

The Centre is a diverse and inclusive workplace, committed to the health, wellbeing and cultural safety of our staff. We encourage applicants of any background, culture, gender, and experience to apply for roles as these become vacant.

Position Summary

This exciting project has recently been extended for a further 12 months and continues to sit within the Centre’s Social Policy & Research team. It is funded by Family Safety Victoria to support key workforces, such as The Orange Door to use a child rights lens, identify and prioritise what is in the child’s best interests, fostering children and young people’s safety and wellbeing and to work in ways that support children and young people’s participation in the decision making and processes that affect them. It is about strengthening practice to keep children and young people first and foremost in our service system responses, promoting opportunities for child and young person inclusive practice and supporting workforces to make sure children and young people are safe and their wellbeing is nurtured.

A key aspect of the project will be to increase understanding of the pillars of wellbeing, which includes safety, and that recognition of these pillars is core to all work with children and young people. The project will continue to build upon the foundations developed in the earlier phases of the project and continue to work collaboratively with FSV’s program development team to support The Orange Door workforce enhance workforce capacity in child and young person wellbeing practice.

Portfolio: Social Policy & Research

Location: Hybrid work plan – home & Melbourne CBD office

Employment: Fixed term – 12 months

Time Fraction: Part time (0.9 negotiable)

Reporting Line

• Reports to: Deputy CEO
• Reporting to this role: Nil

Organisational Accountabilities

The Centre is committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of its staff. The Centre and its staff must comply with a range of statutory requirements including equal opportunity, occupational health and safety and privacy. The Centre requires staff to comply with its policies and procedures and related statutory requirements. Appointees are accountable for completing training on these matters and making sure their knowledge is up to date.

Key Accountabilities

• Undertake a program of work aimed at building greater confidence and capability among professionals coming into contact with children and young people to better understand the critical importance of child safety and wellbeing. This includes promoting children and young people’s participation in assessments, safety planning and decision making.
• Contribute to the evidence base on effective practice in relation to child and young person wellbeing, including supporting the development of more interdisciplinary approaches to meeting child and young person wellbeing needs. This may include the development of written practical guidance for The Orange Door workforce on when and how children and young people can be included in the service system response.
• Develop training materials to complement and support practitioner learning, including e-learn modules and practice development sessions targeting developmental areas identified throughout the earlier phases of the project.
• Develop guidance material and practical resources that supports professionals to have a greater understanding of the parameters regarding consent to engage with children and young people and in being able to put this understanding into practice.
• Identify opportunities to initiate collaborations and activities that will promote the key objectives of this role and grow the reach and impact of this work.
• Develop materials for children and young people to promote awareness of the role of The Orange Door and accessing the service system.
• Evaluate the program of work and the impact it has had on practice in The Orange Door network. Prepare a final report detailing the findings, impact of the project and areas for further support and development.
• Represent the Centre and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to support the development and roll out of the Child and Young Person focussed MARAM tools and associated guidance.
• Represent the Centre at external meetings, liaise with and provide and seek advice from internal and external stakeholders.
• Undertake other duties as directed.

Key Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated experience working as a highly skilled practitioner with children and/or their families experiencing vulnerability
• Demonstrated understanding of and ability to work with sectors and workforces that intersect with children experiencing vulnerability
• Demonstrated understanding of The Orange Door network and family violence sector, including knowledge of and experience with the MARAM framework
• Highly developed stakeholder engagement and management skills
• Ability to undertake research reviews and analyse quantitative and qualitative data
• Ability to develop practice tools and resources and curate information into accessible online products for professionals
• Ability to deliver a project successfully, with limited direction, within a specified timeframe and budget

Benefits of working at the Centre

• Up to three days additional leave over Christmas/New Year period
• Family friendly flexible working arrangements
• A flexible hybrid work-from-home arrangement
• Paid parental/carer/study leave
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
• A supportive and positive work environment
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Leave loading of 17.5%
• Attractive not-for-profit salary packaging (this boosts your income by reducing the amount of tax you pay), with Meal/Holiday accommodation benefit

Qualifications

A relevant tertiary qualification (and/or experience within the community services sector)

Conditional Employment Requirements

1. National Police Check
2. Working with Children Check
3. Current Australian Driver’s Licence (Desirable)

If you have any queries about the role please contact Dr Michele Lonsdale on 9094 3521 or at [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Project Officer - Child and Young Person Wellbeing enquiry via EthicalJobs using the subject line: Senior Project Officer – Child Wellbeing.

A position description is attached.