ABOUT THE ORGANISATION

Jesuit Social Services is a social change organisation working to build a just society where all people can live to their full potential.

Since 1977, Jesuit Social Services has provided services to some of the most disadvantaged in our community.

We place a high priority on advocacy and are a leader in policy development and research.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Navigator is a program funded by state government which aims to support disengaged learners to re-engage with an education. Jesuit Social Services delivers Navigator in Hume Merri-bek, Brimbank Melton, North Eastern Melbourne and Inner Eastern Melbourne Areas.

The Pilot Program is an expansion of Navigator and focuses on disengaged learners in Hume Merri-bek aged 10 to 11, to enable earlier intervention and support, through the transition from primary to secondary school.

The Pilot Program provides case management and outreach support to the most severely disengaged learners, to help create a pathway back into education. Pilot Program case managers work one-on-one with children and their families and schools to provide disengaged students with the specific and tailored support they need to reengage in education. The Pilot Program is a multidisciplinary team consisting of a Coordinator, Case Managers and Family Practitioner. The program works closely, with the Department of Education (DE) and with schools to support each child’s individualised pathway back to regular attendance at school and engagement in learning.

ABOUT THE ROLE

There is an exciting opportunity for a suitably experienced and qualified individual to take on a Family Practitioner role within the Hume Merri-bek Pilot team.

The Family Practitioner is a specialised role that supports parents/carers to have a better understanding of, and response to, the bio-psycho-social and environmental issues that affect their children. The role will work directly with disengaged learners and their parent/carers to address the underlying causes and barriers to learning and school attendance. In collaboration with the leadership team, the Family Practitioner will lead the design and implementation of a family-inclusive model, including development of holistic assessment process, associated documentation and templates. The Family Practitioner will also provide secondary consult to the case management team.

The Navigator Hume Merri-bek team is based in Brunswick

Fixed Term Position Until January 2026.

Attractive salary in the range of $97,377 – $101,783 per annum, plus salary packaging benefit, is offered together with ongoing professional and career development.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

• Tertiary qualification/s and/or relevant experience in field
• Experience in working with families in an outreach capacity to deliver evidence-based therapeutic interventions, and support to disengaged learners and their families experiencing multiple complex challenges including completing psychosocial and risk assessments.
• An understanding of child and adolescent development and the factors that can contribute to a young person’s disengagement from education.
• Knowledge and experience in appropriate interventions/skills required to support young people and families from vulnerable, culturally diverse and marginalised communities and a clear understanding of case management, intensive support, crisis intervention and assertive outreach.
• Demonstrated understanding of the impacts of family violence and the capacity to apply appropriate theoretical frameworks, including knowledge of MARAM risk assessments, needs and protective factors.
• Capacity to provide culturally inclusive services to disengaged learners and their families/carers, including those from Aboriginal and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; and or from LGBTIQA+ communities
• Superior written and verbal communication skills, including the capacity to liaise with a range of stakeholders both government and non-government.
• Capacity to fulfil reporting and administrative requirements associated with the position.
• Understanding and sympathy with the mission and ethos of Jesuit Social Services.
• Current driver’s licence.
• Valid Working with Children Check card.
• Successfully completed Police Check. Police Check will be conducted prior to commencement by Jesuit Social Services.

WHAT JESUIT SOCIAL SERVICES CAN OFFER YOU

• A comprehensive Induction and Orientation program
• Ongoing role related training and development
• An organisation that lives their values, through our day to day work
• A welcoming and supportive environment
• Employee assistance program
• A competitive salary plus salary packaging benefits
• Generous leave

For further information please contact Teyra Jasso on 0417 079 457.

Applicants are required to respond to each of the Key Selection Criteria, with names and contact numbers of two referees. Your responses to the selection criteria should be incorporated into your covering letter. Please apply in confidence.

Jesuit Social Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. We celebrate and welcome all people regardless of ethnicity, cultural background, age, gender, sexuality, disability or religious affiliation.

We strongly encourage applications from all community members including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, members of the LGBTIQA+ community, people with a disability, people of culturally diverse backgrounds and working parents.

Jesuit Social Services is a Child Safe organisation and is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. We require all applicants to undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment.

A position description is attached.