A great opportunity to join a dynamic, diverse and inclusive not-for-profit organisation making a difference in the community.

• Part-time (0.8 FTE) position till 30 June 2025, may be extended subject to further funding

First Nations People, LGBTIQA+ people, people with disability, people of colour, public housing residents or people with a lived experience are encouraged to apply.

DS is committed to child safety and strictly adheres to the Reportable Conduct Scheme for organisations. The safeguarding and wellbeing of our clients is our core focus. All staff must undergo thorough recruitment process including screening and providing evidence of current Working With Children Check and National Police Check.

About the role

Drummond Street Services (DS) is seeking applicants for a Family Practitioner, Integrated Family Services, in the Wyndham area. DS delivers early intervention casework, counselling, and group support to individuals, families, and communities, using a developmental and whole-of-family, life-course approach. This exciting role in Wyndham involves working with parents/carers and their children (from pre-birth to 18 years) who are impacted by disadvantage, including poverty, trauma, substance abuse, mental health issues, and family violence and are potentially at risk of becoming involved with the Child Protection system or are already involved with Child Protection. The position prioritises assertive engagement with communities experiencing these challenges, and we strongly encourage applications from individuals who identify as belonging to one or more of these communities.

Your responsibilities

• Provide therapeutic parenting support for families that reduce risks and increase protective factors for a range of developmental outcomes.
• Manage a caseload of allocated families providing comprehensive, whole of family assessment of presenting needs, strengths, risk factors and risk alerts.
• Work with the family to identify goals and develop a whole of family action plan, ensuring that children’s health and wellbeing is central to the goals.
• Provide psycho-social and skills-based educational one on one support and group programs for parents on a range of topics.
• Complete risk assessments in line with the Best Interests Case Practice Framework.
• Undertake comprehensive closure and exit planning with families to ensure that their goals have been achieved and additional supports are in place, as required.
• Develop resources and provide secondary consultation to other staff.
• Provide community engagement and development approaches to build supportive pathways for vulnerable communities and families.

Selection Criteria

Please address the following in your application to be considered.

Essential:

• Tertiary qualification Social Work or equivalent
• A minimum of three years’ experience in providing therapeutic parenting support and/or education and a thorough understanding of parenting education practice/Philosophy
• Experience and understanding of family relationship issues and the family life cycle (this includes relationship formation, enhancement, separation, family reformation and step/blended families).
• Demonstrated experience working with parents across the developmental stages from birth to 18, including an understanding of children’s developmental milestones and the ante and post-natal experience.
• Demonstrated high level written, oral and interpersonal communication skills and organisational skills including the ability to meet deadlines and prioritise work tasks
• A genuine interest and commitment to working with First Nations People, LGBTIQA+ people, people with disability, people of color and public housing residents
• This role requires the ability to drive a DS fleet vehicle, provide your own transport or have other transportation options to perform the inherent requirements of the position.  If you believe that you are unable to fulfil this requirement of the position then please discuss with the hiring manager

Please review the position description which outlines the full list of responsibilities and key selection criteria.

Application process

• All applications will be directed to our careers portal – click "Apply Now".
• All applicants must include a resume and with a cover letter addressing all the key selection criteria for the position.
• Applicants shortlisted for an interview will be required to provide evidence of their qualifications during the interview process.

To discuss your application, please contact Karyn Kehagias, Senior Family Practitioner on 03 9663 6733 or email [email protected] using the subject line: Family Practitioner - Integrated Family Services enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.