About the role

This a permanent part-time (21 hours/ week) position that will be based in Dubbo with some travel required - flexibility around working days and hours will be considered

Are you passionate about strengthening connections for children and young people in care? Do you have the drive to track down and engage significant family members, building lifelong networks of support?

This unique role could be your opportunity to make a lasting impact in the life of a child or young person.

The role operates within the following principles:

• All children have family members who can be found if we try
• Children have a right to know their family and their family’s whereabouts and build relationship with them as part of their network for life.
• Children and young people experience greater sense of wellbeing, the best opportunity to heal and thrive and have better life outcomes when they have well-established long-term networks.

The Family Engagement Consultant will:

• Talk to children and young people in Uniting’s Permanency Support Program about what they want to know or discover about their family, identity, culture or history.
• Search current and historical family records to identify a child’s family and genealogy
• Reach out to previously unknown family and estranged family members with the aim of reconnecting them with a child wherever it is safe and possible
• Facilitate regular family/network meetings where conversations about meeting a child’s needs are the focus
• Work alongside a child’s existing team including parents, carers and caseworkers
• Be part of a statewide team, joining daily morning huddles, Friday refreshers, and monthly meetings led by the Family Finding lead.
• Receive ongoing mentoring and supervision, with frequent check-ins, especially in the early stages.

About You in the role

• A tertiary-level qualification (or higher) in Social Sciences or equivalent sector experience.
• Experience in casework and engaging with complex family dynamics.
• A strong understanding of trauma and its impact on children and families.
• The ability to follow leads, engage estranged family members, and facilitate child-focused decision-making.
• Excellent communication and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to manage challenging situations using a trauma-informed and strengths-based approach.
• A collaborative mindset, working with government and non-government agencies, as well as Uniting’s Permanency Support Program (PSP) casework team.
• A commitment to compliance, ensuring all work aligns with legal, government, and policy requirements.
• A willingness to travel within the region on an as-needed basis.
• Experience facilitating family group conferencing and strong skills in building networks of support for children. (highly regarded)

Why Join Us?

• At Uniting, we offer:
• Salary packaging benefits to increase your take-home pay.
• Wellbeing programs to support your health and work-life balance.
• Learning and development opportunities to grow your career.
• A diverse, inclusive, and flexible workplace where you are valued.
• Regular supervision, team meetings, and ongoing support to ensure you succeed.

Want to Learn More?

We are holding an online information session on Thursday 3rd April at 6:30 PM. All applicants will receive a link to join the session on the morning of 3rd April.

To be considered, please make yourself available to attend

How to apply and to be considered for this opportunity you MUST

Click “Apply Now” and submit your resume along with a cover letter outlining your motivations for applying and what you think your skills you can bring to this role. (max. 1 A4 pages).

Should you have any questions, please contact Alex Sullivan from Uniting's Talent Acquisition Team at 0466 801 937 / [email protected], using the subject line: Family Engagement Consultant (Family Finding) - Dubbo enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Employment with Uniting is subject to satisfactory background checks, which include National Police Checks, Working with Children Checks and Reference Checks.  

About Uniting

When you’re part of Uniting NSW.ACT, you’re part of a diverse, purpose-led team of people who are really making a difference to the world around them.

We contribute to the work and mission of the Uniting Church in NSW and the ACT through social justice advocacy, community services and spiritual care. We provide care and support for people through all ages and stages of life, with a focus on people experiencing disadvantage and vulnerability. Our purpose is to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice.

Uniting leaders and employees work together to create a culture that is safe, inclusive and person-centred. We bring this to life every day through our values: compassionate, respectful, imaginative and bold.

Uniting acknowledges the continuing sovereignty and rich cultural diversity of Australia’s First Peoples. We pay our respects to all Elders – past, present, and emerging – and to all First Peoples on whose lands we live and work.

Uniting is a Child Safe Organisation committed to promoting the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of children and young people.