Transforming lives for stronger communities

• Sites across the Bayside Peninsula Area, including Frankston, Hastings and Bentleigh.
• Enjoy the benefits of flexible work through our Hybrid Working Model
• Full-time, permanent opportunity
• Level 6 SCHADS Award $106,387.84 + Generous Salary Packaging + Super

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

The Opportunity

The Orange Door Practitioner is a full-time, permanent role based in the Northern Bayside Peninsula Area (with a requirement to work out of Frankston office at times) The Orange Door Practitioner performs the Intake and Assessment function to identify risk, safety and wellbeing concerns from varying referral pathways such as Police reports, Child Protection and Community referrals as well as client self-referrals, to ensure that clients are supported and provided with and/or linked into effective and relevant services. The Practitioner will be required to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary, inter-agency team, while managing a complex workload.

Key Responsibility Areas

The key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Complete Intake and Assessment incorporating high quality assessments of children in relation to need and risk utilising both the Best Interests Framework and MARAM Framework.
• Receive and process referrals from a variety of resources, prioritising risk, safety and wellbeing for all clients within the Orange Door.
• Work respectfully with families, considering cultural and social influences that each family may present with.
• Comply with agency, program and legislative requirements in relation to information sharing, case recording and data entry requirements.
• Provide a range of short-term interventions that will include a variety of casework and case management skills.
• Take an integrated practice approach with local Family Violence services (including Victoria Police), Integrated Family services agencies, the Aboriginal Practice Lead, Senior Community Based Child Protection Practitioners and other service providers to provide creative, flexible intake service responses for children and families with complex issues and who may be difficult to engage.
• Make an active commitment to the development and maintenance of a cohesive multi-disciplinary team and participate in staff meetings, team meetings and staff development.
• Work after hours if required (operating hours currently cease at 5pm).

Our Ideal Candidate

You have a Bachelor Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Early Childhood Specialist and/or related behavioural sciences with substantial relevant experience.

You have proven ability to implement key theories, particularly Child Development, Trauma Informed, Systems, Family Violence and Coercion and Control in practice and a well-rounded understanding of Family Violence drivers, risk assessment and safety planning.

You have worked with families and children experiencing complex needs and high-risk issues in one or more of the following services areas: Family Services, Child Protection, Housing, Family Violence, Disability, Mental Health and/or Alcohol and Other Drugs. With this experience comes the ability to conduct comprehensive safety and wellbeing assessments and to work within the ‘Best Interests Principles’ as outlined within the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 and a sound knowledge of the MARAM framework.

Your ability to develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships and partnerships with key stakeholders has also led you to successfully engage with families who are reluctant to use support services. You are experienced in working with ambivalence and uncertainty in the context of ongoing environmental change and complex problems for vulnerable members of the community.

You have the capacity to remain calm and focused under pressure and take initiative in resolving problems. Your excellent communication and time management skills enable you to work under limited supervision with full accountability for your own tasks and duties.

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

Click Apply Now to submit your confidential application including a CV and cover letter addressing the key selection criteria via our application portal.

For further information regarding the position please contact Rhianna Cattunar, Orange Door Team Leader on 0478 157 517.

A position description is attached.

*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.

Family Life is a trauma informed organisation and recognises the unique skills, contributions and insights that come from lived experience.

Family Life is a child safe organisation.  We value, respect and listen to children and young people. We are committed to the safety of all children and young people. Family Life supports children to meet their potential and thrive. We do not tolerate neglect, mistreatment or abuse of any kind.