Family Support Specialist Devonport Vacancy-Job Ref: BJAUSTC/0825/202327

Family Support Specialist Devonport Vacancy-Job Ref: BJAUSTC/0825/202327

Devonport (Australia)

JOB DESCRIPTION

Across Tasmania, children are facing more and more challenges to their development. At 54 reasons, we provide critical support to families who need it most. Through a variety of programs and individual case management, you’ll provide professional support to families with complex needs. This is your opportunity to help children reach their potential and give them a chance to thrive.

54 reasons is Australia’s leading child rights organisation – no ordinary not-for-profit.

Proudly part of the Save the Children Australia Group and global movement, we’re here to make sure that everyone understands their rights. So that children and young people have their rights met and thrive, in all their diversity.

We champion the children, young people and families we work with. We are inspired by the curiosity and creativity of children and motivated by the love of those who care for them.

With the child’s voice at the centre, we provide quality services to children and their caregivers, advocating with them so that children develop, learn, and are connected, safe and confident. Our people are proudly local, reflective of the communities we serve – in every state and territory, and across regions, remote areas and capital cities.

Where you come in:

In this part-time position (3 days per week), you’ll be responsible for the day-to-day delivery of the Integrated Family Support Services (IFSS) program. Your work will focus on identifying the needs of families who have been referred to, or requested support from the IFSS program, with the aim of working collaboratively to ensure these needs are met and the best outcomes for the children and their families are achieved. Based in Hobart, you’ll work with our Integrated Family Support Services team and report to our Team Leader.

You will make an impact by:

Providing families with a coordinated, professional family support service
Providing case management support to families through outreach and home visits
Building family capacity in a family partnership service model, using strengths and family-centred approaches
Providing evidence-based, trauma-informed parenting information and education material

Does this sound like you?

You’re an experienced family support practitioner who is truly passionate about maximising opportunities for children to develop and thrive. Your ability to think on your feet will see you find solutions to complex situations, and your experience in similar roles will see you able to hit the ground running. Your cultural knowledge will help you build strong connections with people from a variety of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. You have empathy, a ‘can-do attitude’ and most importantly, an infectious enthusiasm for your job.

This role requires:

Degree or Diploma in Social Work, Health or allied areas (or significant relevant experience)
Demonstrated experience in case management, working alongside families using partnership, strengths-based and family-centred approaches
Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and families
Understanding of the importance of the “early years” and the impact of trauma on child development

Working at 54 reasons is more than just a job.

We are a learning organisation that invests in the development and wellbeing of our people. Our workforce is 680+ people strong, and proudly diverse, whether in race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexuality, cultures and beliefs.

We are creative, connected and accountable, bringing energy, guts and ideas to all we do to champion children in Australia and partner with families, communities and partners to bring about change.

Our people work from both home and office, with important moments held in-person to foster belonging and support professional development. Our leave provisions include personal, ceremonial and family violence leave as well as the ability to purchase additional leave. Remuneration is benchmarked and we offer full non-profit salary packaging benefits.

Other benefits include:

this link to see how much this benefit could mean to you!
Festive leave in addition to regular leave benefits
Opportunity to work on additional projects alongside business as usual
Individual learning plans to assist in your career development
Internal employment and development opportunities
Sound interesting?

54 reasons is Australia’s leading child rights organisation, proudly part of the Save the Children Australia Group and
global movement. We’re here to make sure that everyone understands their rights. So that children and young
people have their rights met and thrive, in all their diversity.
We champion the children, young people and families we work with. We are inspired by the curiosity and creativity
of children, and motivated by the love of those who care for them. With the child’s voice at the centre, we provide
quality services to children and their caregivers, advocating with them so that children develop, learn, and are
connected, safe and confident.
Our people are proudly local, and as diverse as the communities we serve – in every state and territory, and across
regions, remote areas and capital cities. With operations in every state and the NT, our services span the early years
and school engagement, youth justice, domestic and family violence and family support, and our practice is
grounded in child rights and participation.
Role Purpose
The key focus areas for the Family Support Specialist are:
• Build family capacity by using partnership, outcomes based, strengths’ perspective and client-centred
approaches
• Identify where additional assistance and external services are required, providing appropriate
information, support and referrals
• Collaborate with team members to deliver programs and support services, promoting positive and
culturally respectful approaches to parenting, and child and family wellbeing
Key Areas of Accountability
Service Delivery
• Provide holistic case management, delivering support to vulnerable and disadvantaged clients and
supporting relationships for favourable client outcomes
• Identify strengths, establishing goals for the program and reviewing clients progress towards these goals
• Provide evidence-based information and education material
• Promote skills which increase health, safety and development
• Promote skill development through modelling, practice, discussion and other practical support
• Maintain a workspace that is conducive to the operational needs of the program

External Support and Referral
• Assess the needs of clients and make timely referrals to appropriate, relevant, and/or specialist support
services
• Link clients to local support networks
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with the local community, service providers and
professionals including child and family support services
• When required, advocate on behalf of children, parents and or carers to access the services and support
they require within the broader service system
Monitoring and Evaluation
• Monitor and review program policies, procedures and practices to ensure the delivery of high quality and
effective programs
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• Maintain reliable data collection for program review and complete regular monitoring and reporting, in
line with organisational and funder requirements
• Participate proactively in all program evaluation and debriefing, including audits and continuous
improvement activities
Teamwork and collaboration
• Actively participate in team meetings and discussions to contribute to a professional, cohesive
environment
• Openly communicate with team members to share ideas and suggestions for program improvements and
effectiveness
Health, safety, security and risk management
• Be a role model for safety and security and comply with all workplace safety policy, procedure, work
instructions and training
• Act safely at all times
• Report all incidents, injuries and potential hazards in a timely manner
• Participate in, and contribute to, health and safety awareness and improvements
• Be aware of, document and manage the risks associated with your team’s programs and workplaces and
ensure appropriate elimination or mitigation measures are applied
Child protection and safeguarding requirements
• Maintain a child safe environment at the workplace and safeguard children’s rights, acting in the best
interests of children at all times
• Comply with the Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct and child safeguarding and protection policies and
standards (click here to view further details)
• Demonstrate the highest standards of behaviour towards children in both your private and professional
life
• Never abuse the position of trust that comes with being a part of the Save the Children family
• Maintain a safe and positive relationship at all times when working with children and young people
• Respond to any concerns for the safety or wellbeing of a child in a program in accordance with internal
reporting processes

Person Specification
Essential knowledge or experience
• Demonstrated experience in working with children and families with complex needs (such as domestic and
family violence, mental health, alcohol and drug use, housing insecurity, etc) and significant barriers
impacting family functioning and wellbeing and parenting capacity
• Demonstrated experience in using trauma informed practice
• Demonstrated experience in using a strength-based approach when working with families
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish goals collaboratively with families
• Experience in working as a member of a team and an ability to work collaboratively as well as
independently
• Demonstrated experience in data collection and record keeping, such as case noting
• Ability to enter and maintain information in an electronic database
• Ability to manage a number of key relationships and to work in collaboration with stakeholders
Desirable knowledge or experience
• Knowledge and understanding of the stresses on vulnerable families and the range of family risk and
protective factors which impact on child outcomes
• Knowledge and experience in group processes and facilitation, especially with vulnerable families
• Experience in delivering intensive interventions with families in their homes
• Knowledge of effective parenting and behaviour management techniques
Required qualifications and accreditations
• Degree/Diploma qualification in a relevant field such as Psychology, Social Work, Human Services or
Social Sciences, or significant equivalent experience

Please click on the button below to Apply.