Family Connections Specialist Practitioner

• Work locally in the Bayside Area and make a difference within the Community
• Enjoy the benefits of flexible work and a great team culture
• 2 x Full-time, permanent opportunities
• Level 6 SCHADS Award $102,554.40 + Generous Salary Packaging + Super
• Frankston with some travel to other sites

Family Life is a recognised Employer of Choice. Work with us and be part of our supportive, people-focused culture

The Family Connections Specialist Practitioner is a full-time, permanent role based at Family Life’s Frankston office on Bunurong Land, with some travel to other sites. The Family Connections Specialist Practitioner will provide trauma-informed, evidence-based support to Court Ordered separated families to effectively manage their parenting arrangements and understand the impact of conflict on their children.

• Conduct professional intake and assessments, ongoing service provision and counselling with separated families in terms of their court directed orders.
• Liaise with internal/external stakeholders pertaining to referral intakes and ongoing work with families.
• Conduct ongoing risk assessments and develop safety plans where appropriate.
• Ensure that the needs and safety of the families take priority at all times.
• Deliver services to quality standards, complying with relevant legislation and contractual requirements.
• Facilitate groups for separated parents, including coordinating entry of participants into the program.
• Support supervised visits with children and their families.
• Actively contribute to the reduction and management of service waiting lists.
• Foster positive relationships with the children, families and relevant program Stakeholders.
• Maintain professional documentation and administrative systems according to program and legislative requirements, including planning and documentation of group and education programs.
• Remain abreast of professional trends and literature relevant to family transitions and service intervention and support strategies.
• Comply with the organisation’s Program Planning and Evaluation Framework.
• Meet KPI’s for research, evaluation data and surveys.
• Assist with the promotion and delivery of programs as required.

You are Bachelor qualified in Social Work, Family Therapy or Psychology and eligible for membership with AASW, AAFT, APS or PACFA associations. You are trauma-informed and have experience with separation, family law, mental health, sexual abuse, alcohol and other drugs and family violence issues.

You have demonstrated experience counselling children and families and a strong working knowledge in identifying the developmental and therapeutic needs of children who have experienced trauma, abuse and neglect. You have the ability to respond to challenging behaviours and understand the origins of these behaviours when working with children including trauma and attachment. You are also experienced in working with parents (individually and in small groups) who have experienced high levels of conflict.

A day in the life of this position includes:

• conducting professional intake assessments
• conducting ongoing risk assessments and developing safety plans where appropriate
• providing specialised counselling
• facilitating enhanced supervised contact visits
• running psychoeducational groups for parents and children where there are Court Orders in place

At Family Life, we believe every child deserves to thrive in a safe and healthy family environment. Family Life is a specialist family services provider that has worked with children, families and communities for more than 50 years. Our vision is to work with clients and partners to create capable communities, strong families and thriving children.

We are known for our innovation and whole-of-community collective impact approach. Our teams are committed to transforming the lives of our clients and communities to build resilience and healthy relationships. We are proudly purpose-driven, independent and not for profit. We support our community through our specialist family services, community strengthening programs, a network of op shops, a vibrant engaged volunteer community and passionate skilled staff.

It’s the feeling of knowing that your work is contributing to making the community in which you live a better place and working with others who feel the same way.
Additionally, you will have access to:

• Flexible work options and a great team culture
• Salary packaging (receive up to an extra $18,000 in tax-free pay per year)
• 3 days Paid Wellbeing Leave per year (pro rata)
• Gifted Leave for End of Year closedown
• Paid Study Leave
• Additional Purchased Annual Leave
• Employee Assistance Program, a free and confidential counselling service for employees

A full position description please click here.

Please submit your confidential application including a CV and cover letter addressing the key selection criteria via our Application Portal.

For further information regarding the position please contact Kathy Sipcic, Manager Family Connections on (03) 8599 5***.

Applications close: 23 February 2024 

*We will be reviewing applications as they are received, therefore this role may close sooner if we find the right candidate. Please apply now to ensure you do not miss out!

All offers of employment are subject to the Family Life Safety Screening process, including a Working with Children Check and Police Records Check.  Any person issued with a negative notice on their Working with Children Check will not be eligible for employment with Family Life.

Family Life values diversity and welcomes applicants who meet the position criteria, irrespective of race and ethnicity, colour, age, gender, gender identity, disability, religion and sexual orientation.

Family Life is a child safe organisation.  We value, respect and listen to children and young people. We are committed to the safety of all children and young people. Family Life supports children to meet their potential and thrive. We do not tolerate neglect, mistreatment or abuse of any kind.