Transforming lives for stronger communities

• Work locally in the Bayside Area and make a difference within our Community
• Enjoy flexible work options and a great team culture
• Full time or Part-time 30.4 hours per week (0.8 FTE), permanent opportunity
• Level 5 SCHADS Award $93,860.00 per annum + superannuation + generous salary packaging

Family Life is a recognised Employer of Choice. Work with us and be part of our supportive, people-focused culture.

The Opportunity

The Family Connections Practitioner is a permanent, full time or part time role, (work on weekends is required, depending on the roster) based at Frankston with the flexibility to work at other Family Life sites when needed. The Service provides trauma-informed, evidence-based support to separated families who are engaged in high-level conflict, to effectively manage their parenting arrangements and understand the impact of conflict on their children.

Key Responsibility Areas

• Facilitate supervised visits and changeovers with children and their families.
• Provide ongoing service provision with separated families in terms of their Court directed orders.
• Ensure that the needs and safety of children and their families takes priority at all times.
• Conduct on-going risk assessments, and develop safety plans where appropriate.
• Foster positive relationships with the children, families and relevant program stakeholders.
• Maintain professional documentation and administrative systems according to program and legislative requirements.

The Family Connections Practitioner delivers services to quality standards, complying with relevant legislation and contractual requirements.

The Family Connections Practitioner remains abreast of professional trends and literature relevant to family transitions, and service intervention and support strategies. They will meet KPIs for research, evaluation data and surveys.

The Family Connections Practitioner will comply with the organisation’s Program Planning and Evaluation Framework.

Our Ideal Candidate

Growth Mindset - You pride yourself for your commitment to resilience and continuous improvement. You see growth opportunities as opposed to failures, and you are always on the lookout for an improved workflow or process. You think creatively, value input and feedback from peers, and adapt to changing or unforeseen circumstances.

Curiosity - You naturally seek out learning opportunities and further information without being prompted to by your manager. You clarify the ‘Why’ and like to investigate and explore further information.

Proactivity - You are a positive influence on your colleagues, you opt-in to support organisational projects, and always lend a hand to support others.

You are Bachelor qualified in Social Work, Family Therapy, Psychology or similar Human Services qualifications and are eligible for membership of AASW, AAFT, APS or PACFA member associations.

You are have experience working effectively with parents and children in the areas of separation, family law, mental health, sexual abuse, alcohol and other drugs and family violence and have proven experience in undertaking assessments for parents and children who have experienced high levels of conflict.

You have experience supporting the developmental and therapeutic needs of children who have experienced trauma, abuse and neglect and are able to respond to challenging behaviours, and have an understanding of the origins of these behaviours when working with children including trauma and attachment.

Crucial to this role is your flexibility to be available for weekend shifts as per the roster and at times work at other Family Life locations.

Who we are

At Family Life, we believe every child deserves to thrive in a safe and healthy family environment. Family Life is a specialist family services provider that has worked with children, families and communities for more than 50 years. Our vision is to work with clients and partners to create capable communities, strong families and thriving children.

We are known for our innovation and whole-of-community collective impact approach. Our teams are committed to transforming the lives of our clients and communities to build resilience and healthy relationships. We are proudly purpose-driven, independent and not for profit. We support our community through our specialist family services, community strengthening programs, a network of op shops, a vibrant engaged volunteer community and passionate skilled staff.

Working at Family Life is more than just a job

It’s the feeling of knowing that your work is contributing to making the community in which you live a better place and working with others who feel the same way.

Additionally, you will have access to:

• Flexible Work Culture through our Hybrid Working Model
• Salary packaging (receive up to an extra $18,500 in tax-free pay per year)
• Paid Wellbeing Leave
• Paid Study Leave
• Additional Paid Leave for End of Year Closedown
• Purchased Annual Leave Scheme
• Rostered Day Off Scheme for Eligible Employees
• Employee Assistance Program, a free and confidential counselling service for employees

How to Apply

A full position description is available on our careers page: Family Life Careers

Please submit your confidential application including a CV and cover letter addressing the key selection criteria via our Application Portal, via the Apply Now link..

For further information regarding the position please contact Kathy, Manager Family Connections on (03) 8599 5433.

We will be reviewing applications as they are received, therefore this role may close sooner if we find the right candidate. Please apply now to ensure you do not miss out!

All offers of employment are subject to the Family Life Safety Screening process, including a Working with Children Check and Police Records Check. Any person issued with a negative notice on their Working with Children Check will not be eligible for employment with Family Life.

Family Life values diversity and welcomes applicants who meet the position criteria, irrespective of race and ethnicity, colour, age, gender, gender identity, disability, religion and sexual orientation.