Family Engagement Specialist (Family Finding)

About the roleThis a permanent full-time (35 hours/ week) position that can be located at either the Port Macquarie or Coffs Harbour Carer Engagement & Support sites

• This role is responsible for identifying and engaging with a child or young person's network, with the goal of supporting the development of a sustainable network for life of caring and significant people in their life
• This role is a specialist position making a significant contribution to the casework team in regard to permanency planning, leading the implementation of the integrated approach for Family Finding model and coordinating aftercare light touch across the region
• For more details refer to the attached job description

About Uniting's Permanency Support Program

• The Permanency Support Program (PSP) aims to give every child/young person a loving home, whether that be with parents, family, extended family or through guardianship, adoption or quality long-term care
• We provide culturally supported placement options for children and young people 0-18 years of age
• PSP also provides a 'light touch' Aftercare service for young people 18-25 years who have left foster care and for the next 4 years will collaborate with Uniting's Extended Care Pilot program team to provide holistic support to young people using the Advantage Thinking approach

About you

• Relevant tertiary qualification (Diploma minimum) in the social sciences or equivalent sector experience
• Ability to skilfully facilitate meetings between estranged family members for the purposes of making positive, child-focused decisions
• Experience in managing challenging situations with a trauma informed and strengths-based approach.
• Ability to work collaboratively with broad range of stakeholders including Government and non-Government agencies as well as the PSP Casework Team and Career Engagement and Support team
• Work tirelessly, relentlessly and with an unwavering dedication to the goal of engaging family in the lives of children and young people in care
• Experience facilitating family group conferencing (highly regarded)
• Skilled decision maker for children's best interests underpinned by a demonstrated commitment to hearing the voices of children and young people
• Excellent communication and conflict resolution skills
• Proven ability to build effective networks to support children
• In depth knowledge and understanding of Family Finding principles
• Collaborative team player
• Committed to compliance - legal, government and policy
• Able to work across both Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour sites

Benefits and cultureWorking to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice brings its own rewards, but there's more

• Welcoming you exactly as you are

· Work you'll be proud of

• You'll have access to a range of support and opportunities including -

• Salary-packaging options
• Wellbeing programs
• Learning and development opportunities
• Diverse and inclusive workplace
• Flexible working arrangements
• Regular supervision, support and team meetings

*We will be holding an online information session on Tuesday 30th April at 5:30pm. Details and a link to join the information session will be emailed to you on Tuesday morning the 30th April.
To be considered, please try and make yourself available to attendShould you have any questions, please contact Alex Sullivan from Uniting's Talent Acquisition Team at 0466 801 937/Employment with Uniting is subject to satisfactory background checks, which include National Police Checks, Working with Children Checks and Reference Checks.Closing date: 11:55pm, Sunday 28th April 2024