Make a meaningful difference with UnitingCare Community

We’re looking for someone who wants to make the world a little better through small moments that leave big impacts. To build meaningful relationships and make a difference in the lives of others.

An integral part of our team as a Child Development Practitioner you’ll be encouraged to grow, develop and feel empowered to make the everyday easier for the people we care so passionately about. Let’s make a meaningful difference, together.

Let’s make a meaningful difference, together.

Your part in our UnitingCare Community team

We are currently seeking a motivated individual to join our team as a Child Development Practitioner to provide holistic, child-focused, trauma informed responses to the needs of women and children residing in refuge to address issues relating to experiencing and or witnessing domestic and family violence.

This position will support the developmental and behavioural needs of children impacted by domestic and family violence, living in the refuge. The role focuses on assessing and addressing the complex emotional, psychological, and developmental issues that arise from experiencing Domestic and Family Violence. You will also work closely with Case Workers and provide tailored support to Caregivers/Mums to enhance their parenting skills and to increase their confidence in managing their children's behaviours.

Due to the inherent requirements of this programs delivery we require female representation from our Supported Accommodation team, as such we are currently looking for a Female Support Worker. To be a female is a genuine requirement for the position under Section 31 of the Anti-Discrimination Act, 1997.

What makes a difference for us?

You will have specialist knowledge in the area of child development and the impact of trauma on children, particularly with a domestic violence lens. In addition, you will be experienced in developing and delivering parenting programs and workshops to Mothers/Caregivers to increase their understanding of child development and behaviour management. You will bring a passion and enthusiasm for supporting families to flourish.

In addition to the above, you will also be required to have:

• Minimum of a Bachelor Degree in Human Service related field
• Qld Drivers Licence
• Working with Children Check (Blue Card)

Please ensure you include your resume, cover letter and responses to the selection criteria listed below:

• Bachelor qualification in Psychology, Social Work, Counselling or equivalent and a minimum of two (2) years’ experience working therapeutically with children, young people and adults using a range of therapeutic interventions that improve emotional and psychosocial development and wellbeing
• Demonstrated ability to work with children and parents to strengthen and support parent-child attachment relationships
• Demonstrated knowledge of specific issues facing children who have experienced DFV and the impacts of trauma on child development
• Creative approach and experience in designing and delivering child development focused activities and parent-child interactive experiences
• Demonstrated high level of interpersonal, oral and written skills
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and network with multiple service providers to ensure clients’ needs are met
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a member of a team
• Commitment to working within the beliefs, mission and values of UnitingCare Qld Ltd and adhering to policies and organisational requirements and processes

For more information on this opportunity please contact Debbie Bruford, Service Leader Refuge – Supported Accommodation on 0413 122 361.

What makes a difference for you?

At UnitingCare we are leaders in crisis response, the protection of vulnerable children, financial resilience and family wellbeing. Our FaDS (Family and Disability Services), Child Services team work passionately across Queensland to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

• Flexible work arrangements to support work-life balance
• Save tax and increase your take home pay by salary packaging your everyday living expenses and bills (up to $15,900) and meal entertainment (up to $2,650) per annum
• A recognition and rewards platform, providing employee discounts at hundreds of retailers, including everyday expenses, holidays, health insurance, annual awards celebration, wellbeing and employee assistance programs
• A positive and inclusive team based on respect, shared standards, strong values and a commitment to serving others
• Eligible employees receive 12 weeks paid parental leave and 2 weeks paid partner leave, available after 6 months service, in addition to the government scheme
• Diversity and inclusive leave, offering paid gender affirmation leave and cultural leave options (paid and unpaid) for those who may celebrate Lunar New Year, Diwali, Ramadan, NAIDOC weeks and other significant cultural events
• Career development opportunities to challenge yourself, grow and make a meaningful difference 

We’d love you to be part of our UnitingCare family

Our FaDS, Child Services team are passionate about their work with parents to ensure children remain safe in the home and parents have the skills, resilience and capability to effectively parent and meet their children’s developmental, educational, health and well-being needs. We also provide targeted services to men who are seeking to change their behaviour.

Joining our FaDS Child Services team, you’ll also be welcomed as part of the UnitingCare family. The second-largest Queensland employer, we’re a proud not-for-profit with more than 16,500 staff and 9,000 volunteers across our brands of BlueCare, Lifeline, ARRCS, The Wesley Hospital, Buderim Private Hospital, St Stephen’s Hospital, and St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital, and have been leading by example for more than 100 years. Our team are compassionate, inclusive and committed to the work we do, helping people live life in all its fullness.

A position description is attached.

Child safe, Child friendly

UnitingCare is committed to being a Child Safe, Child Friendly organisation and will:

• provide welcoming, safe & nurturing services for children
• implement measures to prevent child abuse and neglect within our services
• appropriately and immediately address child abuse and neglect if it does occur

Diversity & Inclusion

Our approach is simple – everybody is welcome here.  At UnitingCare, diversity is at the core of our who we are, our mission and our values. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to all employees no matter their sex, race, culture, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity. Demonstrating our commitment to reconciliation and building long-term employment opportunities for First Nations peoples, UnitingCare strongly encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants for this position.  

Safe workplace

We work hard to make our services welcoming and safe for every person. We are united in keeping children, young people and the elderly safe from harm, within our services, workplaces and the communities we support. We are committed to speaking up loudly for their safety.