FAMILY ENGAGEMENT LEAD (LIVED EXPERIENCE)

• 60.4 hours per fortnight (0.8 FTE)
• Ongoing

Lived and living experience roles within the Loddon Children’s Health and Wellbeing Local (LCHWL) will bring their experience of parenting a child with developmental, social, emotional or behavioural concerns to support others and help them navigate their current family goals and challenges. Purposefully sharing stories and reflections with people who have had a similar experience provides a valuable support to people, assisting information sharing, learning and offering hope and assistance in a safe and welcoming environment.

About the Loddon Children’s Health and Wellbeing Local 

Led by Bendigo Community Health Services, in partnership with Bendigo Health and regional partners Bendigo and District Aboriginal Cooperative, Njernda Aboriginal Corporation, Echuca Regional Health, Dhelkaya Health, Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health, North Central LLEN and Maryborough District Health, the LCHWL provides a range of health and wellbeing services to children up to 11 years of age who may be experiencing some challenges such as developmental, emotional, relational or behavioural concerns. Services are available to families across the shires of Campaspe, Central Goldfields, Loddon, Macedon Ranges and Mt Alexander, and City of Greater Bendigo. 

Bendigo Community Health Services has cared for the health and wellbeing of the Bendigo community for 50 years. We employ more than 280 people across a broad range of services. 

The success of BCHS starts with our staff, who have a high level of professionalism and dedication, allowing us to deliver quality services for the community, with a particular focus on vulnerable people. 

Added benefits of working with BCHS include:

• Generous salary packaging
• Purchasing leave 
• Study assistance
• Training programs 
• Novated leasing   

This position is employed by BCHS and works as an integral part of the LCHWL team. 

In addition to engaging with families accessing the LCHWL, the position will also offer support to other LIVED EXPERIENCE roles within the LCHWL, contributing to a well-supported team of peer workers working across the service.

The position will focus on engaging with families from their first point of contact with the LCHWL, and/or as requested across the family’s engagement with supports, establishing connection with parents/carers in person or via phone or video call. The role will offer targeted follow up with parents/carers, bringing a peer understanding to the relationship.

The role will also work as part of the multiservice team, supporting the development of programs that are family centred through the contribution of LIVED EXPERIENCE knowledge.

Key Selection Criteria 

Essential:

1. A LIVED EXPERIENCE of caring for a child who has experienced mental health, social, emotional or behavioural concerns that has been cared for through the Community Health system.
2. Ability to use your own life experience to provide support and build hope for the future.
3. The ability to engage with parents/carers from a perspective of having a LIVED EXPERIENCE and develop a trusting and professional relationship whilst maintaining professional boundaries.
4. Demonstrated experience in working in both a team environment and the ability to work independently. 
5. Well-developed communication skills.
6. Ability to manage your own wellbeing, including the identification of strategies to support your wellbeing in the workplace.
7. Capability to attend Intentional Peer Support (IPS) training which is conducted in Melbourne over multiple days.
8. Current Police Check and Working with Children Check.

Desirable:

1. Knowledge and understanding of the child and family service system.
2. Well-developed computer skills, including report writing and use of information data bases. 

Probity requirements

• A Police Check (paid for by BCHS)
• Current Working with Children Check or willingness to obtain

How to apply

Applications addressing the Key Selection Criteria should be emailed to ***********@bchs.com.au by 10pm Thursday, 18 July 2024.

Further information

For further information about the role, please contact Chantelle Ramsey on 5406 1311.

Bendigo Community Health Services encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds and abilities.

Applications will be acknowledged upon receipt. Applicants are requested to contact Human Resources on telephone (03) 5406 1*** if an automatic acknowledgement has not been received.