Practitioner - Home Based CareHybrid

For over 240 years combined, Berry Street and Yooralla have been at the forefront of supporting Australians with a disability and those experiencing poverty, violence and abuse. Now, as one unified organisation, we bring together unparalleled expertise and a shared commitment to empowering individuals and families to thrive, while upholding and championing their human rights. We believe in a future where everyone has the opportunity to live the fulfilling life they choose for themselves, free from the impacts of trauma, violence, and abuse, achieved safely and with dignity.

Berry Street Yooralla aims to provide high quality foster care services that are responsive to the specific needs of children and young people in the out of home care (OoHC) sector, providing them with safe and nurturing environments from which to grow and thrive.

The Home Based Care program provides case management and support for general, intensive, complex and therapeutic foster care placements for children and young people who are unable to live with their own families. Most children and young people are placed in OoHC following Child Protection intervention, with a small number in care on a voluntary basis. Placements can be of a respite, emergency, short or long-term nature.

The Opportunity

• Preston location, Wurundjeri Country with hybrid working arrangements
• Two Full time, Permanent roles
• $100K + Superannuation + Salary Packaging

We are seeking a passionate and skilled Practitioner to join our Home Based Care team in the Northern Region. This role is pivotal in supporting foster carers and coordinating care for children and young people in out-of-home care placements.

Key Responsibilities

The Home-Based Care Practitioner role is a collaborative role that works to establish and maintain placements for children and young people entering the foster care program. The primary objectives and responsibilities of the role are:

• Support and supervision of volunteer foster carers who provide placements to children and young people in their home
• To act as the key contact and coordinate the child/young person’s day to day needs whilst in placement, in accordance with the Looking After Children Framework, Home Based Care Program Requirements, CYFA 2005 & Best Interests Principles.
• Work in collaboration with the wider team around supporting and retaining quality volunteer foster carers.
• Work alongside other professionals, including the Therapeutic Foster Care Program’s Therapeutic Specialist to provide enhanced support to therapeutic foster care placements.

About You

You will be a values driven person who is fulfilled by supporting and providing young people and families the opportunities to thrive and flourish. You see the best in people and have a way with creating and maintaining strong working relationships while navigating the Out of Home Care sector. You will also be a strong team player who is able to lead and mentor others.

 You will also have;

• Bachelor qualification in Social Work or other relevant area.
• Experience in statutory case management and/or foster care services.
• Strong understanding of trauma, attachment, child development, and therapeutic care.
• Excellent communication, risk assessment, and collaborative planning skills.
• A commitment to cultural safety, inclusion, and child empowerment.

Why Berry Street Yooralla?

We offer:

• A values-driven workplace: Courage, Integrity, Respect, Accountability, and Working Together.
• Supportive supervision and professional development.
• A commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural safety for all children and families.
• Flexible work arrangements and a collaborative team environment.

Other benefits:

• $15,900.00 pa Salary Packaging + Additional Salary Packaging for meals/accommodation
• 10 weeks paid parental leave + other generous leave conditions!
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program, with access for staff's immediate family

How to Apply

Applications including resume and cover letter addressing your suitability for the position to be submitted by 11pm on Sunday 28 September 2025.

Queries to Sarah Williams, Program Manager - Home Based Care on 0427 658 374.

We believe in diversity, inclusion and equality and are committed to ensuring that our workplaces are a reflection of the Victorian community. We recognise the benefits that diversity and inclusion brings, and in turn encourage talented people from all backgrounds, abilities and identities to apply to our vacancies.

We encourage applications from people with lived experience of disability. You'll receive adjustments and support throughout the whole process — from the application stage to starting in the workplace. If you require the position description in a different format or any accommodation or assistance during the application and interview stages please contact the person listed on the ad or alternatively email recruitment@berrystreet.org.au or call 9421 9379.

Berry Street is committed to being a child safe, child friendly and child empowering organisation. In everything we do we seek to protect children. We are committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children; children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds; children with a disability; children who identify as LGBTIQA+. We aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity and respect regardless of their cultural background, ability, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, spirituality or religion.

Please Note; the successful applicant will be subject to comprehensive reference and background checking prior to employment, including a NDIS Screening Check, Working with Children Check and National and International Police check (if required) and NDIS training.