Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

We are looking for compassionate people that can be positive role models, give emotional support and are capable of building trust and rapport with staff and young people within our Early Help Family Services program.

This is a Full-time Fixed (until 30/6/2023) opportunity based in Broadmeadows, VIC.

Our offer:

• Generous Salary Packaging up to $18,500 (helps increase your take home pay)
• Ongoing Training and Development
• Study Leave for ongoing employees
• Career Development
• Click HERE to find out more about becoming a member of the MacKillop Family Services team and what further support we have to offer our employees.

Position Purpose:

This position is situated within the Southern Melbourne Catchment which covers the Local Government Areas of Hume & Moreland.

The Early Help Family Services Program aims to provide early intervention support to students and families accessing universal services such as schools to prevent the need for family services or statutory intervention. The program aims to meet families where they feel comfortable and engaged.

The Community Support Practitioners are front-line for the delivery of the Early Help Family Services model, working on-site with the local community, partners, and stakeholders. The role is focused on building relationships and facilitating opportunities, and delivery of services to support the families and children at each of the partners schools/ early education centres located in the Pakenham area and surrounding suburbs. Community Support Practitioners work collaboratively as part of the team on site and with local stakeholders, promoting communication between partners, the community and service providers. The role promotes collaboration and shared practice, to ensure a seamless experience for families and children.

Service delivery includes brief intervention work with families, group work, secondary consultation with stakeholders, and capacity building within the community. This includes psychoeducation, referrals and support to access universal or specialist services, assessment, parenting groups, training, individual support and brokerage expenditure. The Community Support Practitioner is a member of the Early Help Family Services Team and reports to the FPRR Practice Leader.

Primary Objectives:

Our EHFS program will support families to be resilient, and to have safe, supportive, and enduring relationships and to be better connected, and engaged with their culture and communities. This will include supporting their access to specialist services and their participation in education, training, and other activities that are important to them.

We will deliver an all-inclusive early intervention approach to support the health, wellbeing, education and development of children and families in disadvantaged communities by utilising working partnerships with universal services to assist families to navigate the health system, increase social connection and build parental confidence through flexible service delivery.

Through individual and group work we will support families with children aged 0 – 18 years old to build their skills and confidence. Our aim is that all children and young people have a sense of belonging, and are connected to their families, culture, and community and achieve shared goals important to them.

Key Selection Criteria:

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, child development, psychology or a related subject area.
• Tertiary qualifications with experience in family work will be considered.

Preferred Experience:

• Significant work experience in a relevant field which supports an understanding of key child development issues relating to parents and their families.
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of trauma, attachment and developmental stages.
• Demonstrated group work experience
• Demonstrated professional case management skills.
• Demonstrated capacity to develop collaborative relationships across professional and organisational boundaries, including knowledge of relevant Community Service organisations, local and State Government (DFFH).
• A knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture and values and an awareness of the current issues faced by Aboriginal children, young people and their families

Preferred Knowledge:

• Understanding of child development
• Knowledge of systems, behavioural and social ecological theories and application.
• Needs, Risk and social skills assessment and intervention
• Sound knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal history, values, the Stolen Generation, practices and culture
• An awareness and knowledge of attachment and trauma theories related to children, young people, and families
• Knowledge of Aboriginal and CALD cultures and a commitment to their social, economic and cultural development
• Demonstrated understanding of cultural safety.
• Demonstrated understanding of Family Violence & MARAM Framework

Required Personal Skills:

• Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrated team building capacity and experience in providing leadership and capacity building for community partners.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively with others and exercise influence in a diversity of contexts.
• Ability to participate collaboratively and constructively within teams of peers, staff and other stakeholders, as well as initiative and effective personal judgement when working alone.
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to meet deadlines, targets and key deliverables of the program.
• An ability to work flexible hours when required including some evenings and weekends
• Capacity to navigate complex multiagency systems

You must have a:

• Proof of vaccination against Covid-19
• Valid and current Driver’s Licence
• Satisfactory Criminal History Check
• Valid Working with Children Check
• Valid and current NDIS Workers Screening Check

The Australian Government recently introduced the NDIS Worker Screening Check, an additional, national legislated compliance requirement to determine if a person is cleared to work with people with disability. MacKillop requires all client facing staff obtain the NDIS Worker Screening Check. An employment application will require the submission of evidence that this check has been attained or an application has been submitted. For more information and how to apply please view:

Victoria:Department of Justice and Community Safety

Please make sure you address the selection criteria as outlined in the PD as part of your application.

For more information, please contact:

Erin Carolan at [email protected] using the subject line: Practitioner - Community Support enquiry via EthicalJobs or on 0409 652 705. 

It is our goal that MacKillop Family Services continues to evolve as a culturally safe, culturally competent, and welcoming organisation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families, and communities.

Shortlisting for this position may commence immediately so please submit your application as soon as possible.

A position description is attached.