Job Description

Family Preservation and Reunification Response Practitioner

• Award/Level: SCHADS Level 5
• Category: Full Time – Max term Contract (June 30 2027)
• Sunshine

About the organisation

BaptistCare is a leading purpose-led care organisation, guided by our Christian identity and serving people and communities across Australia for more than 110 years. We support people to live better through aged care, home care, retirement living, community services, disability support and housing.

We know that life’s challenges can make our world feel smaller. With the right people alongside us, it can feel more connected, supported and hopeful again.

That’s what we work towards every day - enriching lives through communities of care. Today, more than 70,000 customers, 12,000 employees and close to 2,000 volunteers are part of our communities across Australia.

About the role

The Victorian Family Preservation and Reunification Response (The Response) is funded by the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH). The culturally safe Response is an innovative approach to delivering relational, evidence-informed and coordinated support to vulnerable children and families through a strengthened partnership with Child Protection by responsive, intensive and sustainable support to children and families where children are at imminent risk of entry to care or where safe reunification is appropriate. Children at immediate risk of entry into care and those children who have recently entered care are the target group, with a specific focus on children who are the subject of unborn reports, young children (0-5) and young adolescents (10-15).

The Family Preservation and Reunification Response (FPRR) Practitioner supports infants, children and young people living with their parents or other family members with a specific focus on supporting caregivers to sustain placements and the reunification of children to their parents. The role provides a rapid, intensive, wraparound service, in close partnership with partner agencies, to deliver a collaborative case management approach. The sustained intervention works from a strength - based, child and family centered perspective, integrating intensive evidence-based assessment, care team planning, safety and risk planning and provision of skill development and parenting strategies to promote family and caregiver resilience and self-determination. This role, prioritises and builds strong and positive communication and relationships with Aboriginal People and children and families from culturally or linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Duties, skills and experience

Skills and Experience:

• Demonstrated ability to work in a way that promotes Aboriginal people’s cultural identity and promotes their connection to family, community and culture. Have a sound knowledge of Aboriginal culture.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of working with families to promote family preservation and working with clients to assess and promote reunification of children to parental care.
• Demonstrated evidence-based family assessment skills in working with vulnerable children and families with complex issues.
• Demonstrated evidence- based knowledge and application of therapeutic models and theories to develop skill-based interventions that enable positive change.
• Demonstrated evidence-based knowledge and understanding of child development, trauma, family and child/risk assessment skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Child, Youth and Family Services Act including the Looking after Children Framework, Best Interest Planning Principles, Trauma and Attachment Frameworks and demonstrated knowledge of using a therapeutic approach within a complex service system.
• Sound stakeholder management and the ability to build and maintain strong, credible relationships with relevant stakeholders.
• Ability to build strong relationships with community stakeholders (i.e. DFFH, other providers, judges, schools, etc.) to ensure cooperation among service providers.

Duties:

• Provide evidence-based assessment, counselling and case management support to families and children referred to The Response.
• Plan, develop and monitor the implementation of evidence-based interventions.
• Deliver evidence-based intensive interventions to enhance family functioning, parenting capabilities and safety, stability and the developmental needs of children.
• Partner and collaborate with a variety of organisations to develop internal and external referral points.
• The role is classified at SCHADS 6

How to Apply

Click 'Apply Now' to submit your application.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

• Applicants must have the right to work in Australia.
• The successful applicant will be required to undergo a National Criminal History check.
• A medical assessment will be conducted to see if you are physically capable for the role

If you require support with the application process, please contact georgie.venizelos@baptistcare.org.au

BaptistCare – Inspired by Jesus to champion care for all.

BaptistCare is dedicated to the safety, empowerment, and participation of all children. We have zero tolerance of child abuse and are committed to a thoughtful, protective environment that supports infants, children, and young people to feel safe and respected.