Family Practitioner

• Hybrid working 
• Level 6 on the SCHCADS award $ 96,962.32 plus super
• Salary packaging up to $15,900 plus $ 2650 meals & entertainment. 

We have a wonderful opportunity as a Family Preservations and Reunification Practitioner in our OzChild Frankston office & family.    

OzChild’s Victorian Family Preservation and Reunification (FPR) Response is an evidence-based response aimed at working collaboratively with the Children, Families, Communities, and Disability Division to provide immediate, intensive, and sustained intervention which will provide better support and achieve real and measurable outcomes for vulnerable families.

Implementing a wrap-around, evidence-informed case management-led Family Preservation and Reunification (FPR) team, who will work alongside our SafeCare educators and Functional Family Therapy-Child Welfare (FFTCW) therapists, OzChild will deliver a culturally safe early intervention response through the evidence-based programs FFT-CW or SafeCare.  

OzChild’s FPR practitioners will work with DFFH Child Protection Practitioner to identify and prioritize clients for intervention, utilising a relational approach that is adaptable and responsive to the family’s needs to address individual issues and stressors. Our strengths-based approach is client-centred, integrates the use of evidence-informed elements like motivational interviewing, communication and parenting, respects self-determination and promotes resilience.

The role may also encompass case management from our Integrated Family Services (IFS) program which is part of the Bayside Peninsula Family Alliance partnership.  The IFS program is an innovative service model providing assistance to vulnerable families living in the Bayside Peninsula catchment area.   The program promotes the safety and well-being of children and supports and empowers families to fully realize their potential through direct service and by enhancing the service network. In general workers would spend between 4 and 6 hours per week with each family for a 3 to 6 month period.

What a successful candidate looks like

• Tertiary qualifications in Social Work, Psychology,  Community Services or related discipline is essential
• Experience and comprehensive understanding of Child and Family Services, the Child Protection system and court orders
• Experience in developing strengths- based risk and needs assessments with families and holding risk
• Solid understanding of the principles and challenges of supporting vulnerable families and knowledge of Child Protection issues in relation to children ‘at risk’.
• An understanding of cultural contexts and the unique needs of Aboriginal children and young people, their families and communities
• Understanding of the broad range of issues impacting on the community services sector.
• Good communication and organisational skills.
• Excellent written skills.
• Effective network development skills.
• Sound computer skills, including the Microsoft Office suite and email, plus familiarity with web-based information management, communications and accounting systems.

OzChild offers:

• Full time, permanent position
• Evidence-informed training and professional development journey
• Expert supervision and ongoing feedback
• Flexible working hours between the hours of 7 am to 7pm
• Hybrid working 
• Level 6 on the SCHCADS award $ 96,962.32 plus super
• The opportunity to work directly with families
• Salary packaging up to $15,900 plus $ 2650 meals & entertainment. 
• Ex gratia days Easter & Christmas 
• A unique culture promoting diversity, cultural competence and shared values
• A collaborative and cohesive working culture