FPRR Senior Practitioner

About the role:

The Family Preservation and Reunification (FPR) Senior Practitioner will assist the FPR Practice Leader with the leadership of the Family Preservation and Reunification (FPR) team. The position will be responsible for contributing to high quality practice through informal and additional supervision, coaching, consultation, support and training for staff and students, the development of the services and quality improvement practices, and the provision of casework in the FPR team.

The model is an integrated and evidence-based/evidence-informed approach to supporting and problem solving with families and preventing children and young people’s re/entry to out of home care. The team will work as a cohesive whole and report directly to the FPR Practice Leader. 

This position is situated within the Northern Metropolitan Melbourne Region and sits within the Family & Community Services Programs; the role is based at our Broadmeadows office. 

This is a permanent full-time opportunity based in Broadmeadows, VIC within our Family Preservation & Reunification Program. The position reports to the FPR Practice Leader.

The Victorian Family Preservation and Reunification (FPR) Program, is funded by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH). 

The FPR includes an initial intensive intervention phase, delivered through a mobile and integrated approach, followed by a sustained service support phase, aimed at preventing at-risk children entering or re-entering care or reunifying children with their parents. FPR will link to, align with, and build on (and not duplicate) existing child and family services within the broader service system, providing an enhanced continuum of care across the state. It will be evaluated and continuously developed to enhance the FPR evidence-base for Victorian child and family services (including Child Protection). 

The model is an integrated and evidence-based/evidence-informed approach to supporting and problem solving with families and preventing children and young people’s re/entry to out of home care. The team will work as a cohesive whole and report directly to the FPR Practice Leader. 

 This is a Full-Time, ongoing opportunity (38 hours per week) based at our Broadmeadows Office within our Family Preservation & Reunification Program. This position is part of a wider Family Services Team and reports into the FPR Practice Leader.

The role includes significant training and professional development opportunities, including the DFFH Practice Elements and Coaching, Reflective Practice and Communities of Practice, all delivered in-house.

Proficiency in additional languages, such as Arabic, Turkish, Dinka, or another language spoken in our community, would be highly regarded for this role.

The role requires the incumbent to hold a relevant tertiary qualification, which may include a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Child Development, Psychology or a related subject area. Candidates who are working towards their Bachelor degree or who hold a relevant Diploma qualification and have substantial experience, are also encouraged to apply. The role requires some flexibility from the incumbent as they may be required to work outside of the standard business hours but within 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, subject to the needs of our clients and the program.

Key Selection Criteria:

• Significant work experience in a relevant field which supports an understanding of community development, key child development issues relating to young parents and their families who have complex needs.
• Sound knowledge of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005, MARAM Framework and Information Sharing Scheme, and policies relating to child welfare and the Best Interests of the Child Practice Model. 
• Highly developed skills in assessing risks, needs and safety for vulnerable children, young people and families.
• Excellent communication, written, verbal and computer skills.
• Ability to participate collaboratively and constructively within teams of peers, staff and other stakeholders, as well as initiative and effective personal judgement when working alone.
• Demonstrated team building capacity and promoting a positive culture and in providing leadership and supervision for staff.

Required Experience: 

• Significant work experience in a relevant field which supports an understanding of key child development issues relating to young parents and their families who have complex needs. 
• Understanding of and demonstrated experience working with issues such as attachment, trauma, and intergenerational disadvantage. 
• Demonstrated ability to undertake complex casework with families and children who have experienced trauma. 
• ·Demonstrated experience referring to and collaborating with local service networks. 
• Have an awareness and knowledge of attachment and trauma theories related to Aboriginal children, young people and families; Demonstrated ability to use this knowledge to guide practice with Aboriginal children, young people and families. 
• Demonstrated ability to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, and families with complex trauma needs. 

Preferred Knowledge/Experience: 

• Experience using strengths based, and child centred family focused theoretical models to understand child development and the impacts of trauma.
• Experience completing and using assessment tools including North Carolina Family Assessment Scale and Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire.   
• Case Work/ Case Management of complex children, young people and families. 
• Experience working as part of a care team, and navigating complex systems such as Child Protection, NDIS and mental health systems. 
• Sound knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal history, values, the stolen generation, practices and culture. 
• Demonstrated understanding of cultural safety. 

Required Personal Skills: 

• Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills, with a demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively with others and exercise influence in a diversity of contexts. 
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to meet deadlines, targets and key deliverables of the program. 
• An ability to work flexible hours when required to meet the needs of the families.
• A knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture and values and an awareness of the current issues faced by Aboriginal children, young people and their families. 

Please address the full Key Selection Criteria outlined in the PD as part of your application.

For a full position listing, please click APPLY. The Position Description is available for review at the bottom of the page.

 For more information, please contact Julia Failla at Julia.Failla@Mackillop.org.au

Our offer:

• Salary packaging – we can help you to maximize your salary packaging up to $18,550 per year, which allows you to reduce the amount of tax you pay.
• Paid Training that is industry specific including Safe & Together (CORE), Sanctuary and Cultural Awareness training.
• Fitness Passport - which is a discounted workplace health and fitness program available to you and your family. For a fraction of the price of a regular gym membership.
• Employee Assistance Program- Free access to a wide range of options with all aspects of life such as social, financial, physical, mental health by providing counselling and coaching supporting relating both to your circumstance, even including health advice from qualified nutritionists.
• Supportive Environment - Monthly supportive meetings with your direct manager.
• Sanctuary Organisation - MacKillop’s work is underpinned by the Sanctuary Model, an evidence-supported, whole of organisation framework that brings our values to life. The model reinforces our ability to create a safe environment that teaches people to cope effectively with stress and trauma, and to heal.

You must have a:

• Valid and current Driver’s Licence;
• Satisfactory Criminal History Check (paid for by MacKillop);
• Valid Employee Working with Children Check;
• Valid and current NDIS Workers Screening Check. MacKillop can assist successful candidates with their application.
• Brief & Intermediate MARAM certificate or a willingness to obtain

Our Commitment:

MacKillop celebrates and draws strength from diversity and respects the dignity of all people. Every person at MacKillop has the right to be safe and to be treated justly. We value every person’s ability, cultural or linguistic backgrounds, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, intersex status, relationship status, religious or spiritual beliefs, socio-economic status, and age.

It is our goal that MacKillop Family Services continues to evolve as a culturally safe, culturally competent, and welcoming organisation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families, and communities.

 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

 Shortlisting for this position may commence immediately so please submit your application as soon as possible.