Summary of position

The role is a crucial member of the MIC Settlement Team, focused on supporting newly arrived migrant and refugee families in the early stages of their settlement in Australia. The role involves providing consultation, tailored support, and program development to help children and families adjust to life in Australia. Through partnerships with mainstream services, maternal and child health services, kindergarten, schools, councils, and other community stakeholders in the Inner East and Outer East Melbourne regions, this role will address emotional, mental health, and social needs, aiming to improve family dynamics, promote well-being, and enhance the social inclusion of children and their families. The role will also contribute to therapeutic programs and school readiness initiatives for children, helping them successfully transition to through the various education support providers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Case Work and Advocacy:
  • Provide culturally appropriate case management and support to children and parents including needs assessment, goal setting, and referral services.
  • Develop and implement case plans focused on empowering parents to achieve sustainable settlement outcomes.
  • Advocate for the needs and rights of children and parents within the broader community, engaging with schools, community services, and local governments to ensure they receive appropriate support.
  • Provide referrals and assistance to families to access local services, ensuring they can meet their settlement and parenting needs.

• Program Development, Delivery, and Collaboration:
  • Design, implement, and facilitate innovative programs that address the settlement needs and issues that enhance settlement knowledge, skills, and connections.
  • Create and deliver parenting programs that enhance parents' skills in supporting their children's settlement and education in a new cultural context.
  • Develop programs aimed at building children's self-esteem, fostering a sense of belonging, and helping them transition successfully to school.
  • Work in partnership with mainstream services, children’s services, schools, local councils, and other community organizations to ensure comprehensive, coordinated support for children and families.

• Children & Family Consultation and Support:
  • Conduct individual and group consultations with children and families from refugee and migrant backgrounds to identify their needs, challenges, and aspirations.
  • Provide tailored emotional and mental health support to children and parents to ease the settlement process.
  • Offer guidance on parenting, with a particular focus on parenting across two cultures to help families navigate cultural differences and improve family dynamics.

• Engagement and Prevention:
  • Develop and implement innovative programs to engage children in positive social and learning activities that encourage emotional resilience and reduce the risk of anti-social behaviour.
  • Organise and facilitate workshops, group activities, and events that support children’s mental health, school readiness, and life skills development.
  • Create a safe and inclusive environment for children and families to express themselves and connect with others in their community.
  • Collaborate with bicultural workers to engage parents and community members, ensuring their involvement in supporting their children's settlement and engagement.

• Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Projects:
  • Participate in stakeholder and advocacy networks to contribute to strategic planning and community development.
  • Collaborate with local schools, children’s services, councils, and peak bodies to enhance systems of support for children and families.
  • Contribute to the planning, delivery, and evaluation of strategic projects aimed at improving settlement outcomes for families and children.
  • Support student placements in the youth work or community services field, offering mentorship and guidance.

• Risk, Quality and Compliance Reporting:
  • Manage, mitigate and develop strategies to minimise risk.
  • Support quality management systems and ensure all data and reporting requirements are met as directed by the manger.
  • Maintain accurate and confidential client records in line with organisational policies and funding requirements.
  • Collect and report data to ensure compliance with program KPIs and funding agreements.
  • Participate in program evaluations and contribute to service improvements.

Key Selection Criteria:

• Qualifications:
  • Tertiary qualifications/Diploma in Social Work, Children Welfare/Psychology/Education, or a related field.
  • A current Victorian Driver’s License.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of 4 years’ experience in youth work, community development, or a related field, ideally working with children from refugee and migrant backgrounds.
  • Demonstrated experience in casework, program development, and community engagement.
  • Proven experience in planning and facilitating group programs and activities with children and families
  • Experience in collaborating with a range of stakeholders, including schools, local councils, youth services, and community organisations.

• Skills and Knowledge:
  • Strong understanding of the challenges faced by children and parents from CALD communities during their settlement process.
  • Excellent interpersonal, networking, and negotiation skills, with the ability to engage children, parents, schools, and the broader community.
  • Ability to develop and deliver culturally appropriate programs that engage children and their families.
  • Strong communication skills, including the ability to effectively use interpreters when necessary.
  • Competence in using databases and maintaining accurate client records.

• Personal Attributes:
  • Empathy and patience, with the ability to build rapport and trust with children and families from diverse cultural backgrounds.
  • A proactive, creative, and solutions-focused approach to engaging children from diverse back grounds
  • A commitment to social justice, inclusion, and empowerment.
  • A strong customer service focus and the ability to adapt to the needs of different communities.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with strong organizational and time management skills.

Additional Information:

• This is a part-time position based in the Inner East and Outer East Melbourne regions.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to meet the needs of children and families.
• There will be occasional travel within the region to deliver program to community groups. A valid driver’s license is required.
• A valid Working with Children Check and police check are required.

How to Apply:

Please submit your resume along with a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria via Ethicaljobs platform

Desirable

• Completion of MARAM training and/or an understanding of the MARAM framework, including Family Violence and Child Safety Information Sharing Schemes
• Knowledge of services in the Eastern Region of Melbourne

If you have queries about the role, please email [email protected] using the subject line: Parenting and Children's Officer - Box Hill / Ringwood enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.