Save the Children is well known for championing creative and innovative solutions to support all children and families to reach their full potential. We're on the search for experienced and passionate family support specialists to join our Connected Beginnings program in Shepparton, a collective impact project which will support school readiness among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children across the region.

Save the Children is no ordinary not-for-profit.

We're ambitious, creative and outspoken. We stand up for children's rights. We want all children to be educated, healthy and live a life free from violence. We've been working with families and communities in Victoria as a trusted support for children for nearly 70 years. More information on our work in Victoria is available here.

Where you come in:

In these part-time fixed term positions (two positions available at 3 days per week through to end of June 2024), based in our Shepparton Office, you'll work on establishing connections between parents/carers, organisations and school communities to enable a positive transition from home to school for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, using a collective impact approach. You'll report to the Team Leader and be part of our Australian Services department.

You will make an impact by:

• Building family capacity by using partnership, outcomes based, strengths' perspective and client-centred approaches
• Identifying where additional assistance and external services are required, providing appropriate information, support and referrals
• Collaborating with team members to deliver programs and support services, promoting positive and culturally respectful approaches to parenting, and child and family wellbeing
• Providing holistic case management, delivering support to vulnerable and disadvantaged clients and supporting relationships for favourable client outcomes

• Identifying strengths, establishing goals for the program and reviewing clients progress towards these goals

Does this sound like you?

Your passion, ambition and perseverance to see meaningful change for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people helps you to think outside the box. Your communication skills make you the ideal representative of Save the Children and enable you to quickly build rapport with anyone. You have a 'can-do' attitude, demonstrate an infectious enthusiasm for your job and inspire others to achieve great change.

These roles require:

• Certificate IV in Community Services or equivalent qualification

• Demonstrated experience in working with Indigenous children and families
• Experience in working with low socio-economic and socially or geographically isolated families
• Proven experience in using trauma informed practice
• Demonstrated experience in using a strength-based approach when working with families

Working at Save the Children is more than just a job.

It's the feeling of knowing that your work is contributing to making the world a better place for children and working with others who feel the same. In addition to a connection to social causes, you will have access to:

• Festive leave in addition to regular leave benefits
• Individual learning plans to assist in your career development
• Internal employment and development opportunities
• Friendly and flexible work environment, including working from home where possible (WFH)
• Full salary packaging benefits

Sound interesting?

We'd love to hear from you. Submit your cover letter and resume by clicking on one of the buttons in the 'Apply' section below.

Position Description - Family Support Specialist

For more information about this position, please contact Deborah Walsh, Team Leader, on 03 5823 0400 or [email protected], using the subject line: Family Support Specialists x2 - Shepparton enquiry via EthicalJobs. For more information about the program and the team that the role will work in, see our Program Profile.

Save the Children is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees consistent with our obligations under occupational health and safety legislation. If you are successful in this role, prior to commencement of employment you will need to provide evidence that you are vaccinated against COVID-19, or that you have proof of medical exemption from the vaccine. Acceptable evidence of vaccination includes:

1. COVID-19 digital certificate (available via your myGov account)
2. Your immunisation history statement (available via your myGov account) or
3. A letter from the GP who vaccinated you.

At Save the Children, we seek a workforce that is as diverse as our society - in race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexuality, cultures and beliefs - and reflects the communities we work in. We believe diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our culture and core values and we demonstrate this commitment through all our employment practices. Our inclusive workplace culture contributes to making Save the Children a great place to work. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants to apply.

Save the Children Australia is a child-safe organisation. All employees are required to undergo a National Police Check, a Working with Children Check where necessary, and sign our Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.

Save the Children Australia supports the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. If you are successful in your application, we will request consent to access HR held information pertaining to your last 5 years of employment. You can read about the Scheme and our commitment to Safeguarding here.