Join our Family Services Team.

• Part Time (3 days per week) Max Term position until 18 June 2027 (Parental Leave Cover)
• Increase take-home pay with access to $15,900 salary packing benefits
• Based in Pakenham

Your new role

The School Attendance Support Program (SASP) is an innovative program, servicing the suburbs of Cranbourne, Clyde, Clyde North, and the Shire of Cardinia that aims to support children and their families to improve primary school attendance.  The Family Engagement Practitioner provides a free and voluntary service funded through Communities for children (CfC) Cardinia.

As the Family Engagement Practitioner of the School Attendance Support Program you will:

• Promote the SASP program within the Shire of Cardinia, to primary schools, families and services.
• Undertake screening, intake and assessment of families referred to the SASP program.
• To actively hold families waiting for allocation, maintaining regular contact and providing support when required.
• Provide information to schools and families on referral pathways to access other services e.g. The Orange Door, Family Services, and where required assist with warm referrals.
• Provide advocacy for families where required, to assist with resolving potential systemic issues or barriers to the child/family’s engagement with a service.
• Co-ordinate and facilitate the delivery of group work intervention to children in primary schools to support social-emotional learning and navigating key school transition points.
• Manage recording and data requirements for reporting purposes.
• Assist with surveys and evaluation requirement of the program.

Benefits of working at Uniting

Our work isn’t easy, but it matters. Work with people who care as much as you.

In addition to your salary (SCHADS Level 5) + super, you can access the following.

• Access salary packaging to increase take-home pay.
• Need extra time off? Buy additional leave to increase annual leave!
• Enjoy a 10% discount at Uniting Early Learning, or 60% for centre staff!
• Up to 10 weeks paid parental leave for primary caregivers (4 for secondary).
• Free counselling with our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Enjoy 25% off at Uniting Op Shops.

Your skills and experience

You will bring:

• A degree in Social Work, Psychology, or a related tertiary qualification relevant to child and family welfare
• Demonstrated ability as a practitioner in the child, youth and family welfare field
• An understanding of the ‘Best Interests’ framework and Children Youth and Families Act (CYFA) 2005 is desirable.
• A commitment to the family-centered approach and the family strengthening and empowerment models of practice
• Experience delivering groupwork to children
• Sound knowledge of child development and experience working with children

View the position description here.

How to apply

Click APPLY to submit your interest.

If this role sounds like a good fit for you, please apply soon. We'll review applications as they come in and may close the ad early.

For any questions, reach out to Jessica Homicki on 0466 648 793 for a chat.

About Uniting

At Uniting we are passionate about working together to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice. We have a 5,000 strong workforce of employees and volunteers who deliver a diverse range of services across Victoria and Tasmania.

Visit us: www.vt.uniting.org

Uniting is a child safe organisation and is committed in everyday practice to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children, at all times. As a ‘child safe’ organisation, employment with Uniting is subject to a satisfactory national (and international where relevant) police check and relevant Working with Children Check in your State prior to commencement of any paid or unpaid work and/or participation in any service or undertaking.

Through the recruitment process, we will ask you for personal information. Disclosure is optional, however, it can help us support you better. We invite you to tell us if you identify as Aboriginal, a person with disability, from a diverse background or LGBT+. You will be given an opportunity in the application form to request additional support. We welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can support you.

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