MacKillop celebrates and draws strength from diversity and respects the dignity of all people. Every person at MacKillop has the right to be safe and to be treated justly. We value every person’s cultural or linguistic background, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expressions, intersex status, relationship status, religion or spiritual beliefs, socio-economic status, age, and abilities.

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

This is a Full-time (Fixed term until 30/6/2024) opportunity based in Broadmeadows, VIC within our Family Preservation & Reunification Program.

Our offer:

• Generous Salary Packaging up to $18,500 (helps increase your take home pay)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – free and confidential counselling, couching and emotional support for work and personal challenges
• Ongoing Training and Development
• Study Leave for ongoing employees

• 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 Northern Metro Region.

The Victorian Family Preservation and Reunification Response (the Response) has been funded by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. It was co-designed with representatives from the child and family services sector to be implemented in 2020-21 by Victorian registered children and family service providers.

The Response includes an initial intensive intervention phase, delivered through a mobile and integrated approach, followed by a sustained service support phase, aimed at preventing at-risk children entering or re-entering care. The Response will link to, align with, and build on (and not duplicate) existing child and family services within the broader service system, providing an enhanced continuum of care across the state. It will be evaluated and continuously developed to enhance the Family Preservation and Reunification (FPR) evidence-base for Victorian child and family services (including Child Protection).

The model is an integrated and evidence-based/evidence-informed approach to supporting and problem solving with families and preventing children and young people’s re/entry to out of home care. The team will work as a cohesive whole and report directly to the FPR Senior Practitioner.

Primary Objectives:

The FPR team will bring an innovative and wrap around service that will work with the whole family system.

Key Selection Criteria:

The role requires appropriate tertiary qualifications. Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Child Development, Psychology, or a related subject area preferred, or a Diploma level relevant qualification with significant professional experience. The role will require flexibility therefore it is essential that the successful applicant’s life circumstances are sufficiently flexible to undertake this role.

Preferred Experience:

• Significant work experience in a relevant field which supports an understanding of key child development issues relating to young parents and their families who have complex needs.
• Understanding of and demonstrated experience working with issues such as attachment, trauma, and intergenerational disadvantage.
• Demonstrated professional case management skills.
• Significant clinical experience in treating serious antisocial behaviour in youth.
• Implementation of evidence-based interventions within or between systems in the youth’s natural ecology that affect or influence the behaviour of youth (i.e., family, peer, school, and neighbourhood).
• Direct use of pragmatic (i.e., structural, strategic, and functional) family therapies and/or behavioural therapy targeting behavioural change in children at home and school.
• Demonstrated experience referring to and collaborating with local service networks.
• Work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

Preferred Knowledge:

• Child development research and its application in treatment.
• Systems, behavioural and social ecological theories, and application.
• Social skills assessment and intervention.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake complex casework with families and children who have experienced trauma.
• Preferred sound knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal history, values, the stolen generation, practices, and culture.
• Have an awareness and knowledge of attachment and trauma theories related to Aboriginal children, young people, and families; Demonstrated ability to use this knowledge to guide practice with Aboriginal children, young people and families.
• Demonstrated understanding of cultural safety.

Required Personal Skills:

• Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills, with a demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively with others and exercise influence in a diversity of contexts.
• 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.
• 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

You must have a:

• Proof of vaccination (including third dose) 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

Click 'Apply Now' where you will be prompted to proceed with your application via the Ethical Jobs website.

A position description is attached.

For more information, please contact: James Tupai at [email protected] using the subject line: Practitioner - Family Preservation & Reunification enquiry via EthicalJobs or on 0460 644 107.

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. Position will be filled once a suitable candidate has been appointed, so please submit your application as soon as possible.