Restoring Families Practitioner in Yarra Junction

The Victorian Restoring Families program (the Response) is funded by the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH). The Response is implemented by MCM in Western Metro and North/East Metro areas of Melbourne. Teams are placed within the Family Services area in the Homelessness and Family Services Portfolio. Teams intensively support families where children are subject to an unborn report or Child Protection Intervention that are birth to 5-years of age.

The 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;
• Provides 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.

The Response Practitioner will deliver rapid, culturally safe, flexible and intensive services to children and families using a case management and care team approach. This includes the provision of therapeutic and trauma-informed supports that engage the voice and choice, cultural identity and lived expertise of children and their families and carers. Response Practitioners will also work within a comprehensive evidence-based and monitoring and evaluation framework.

About you

We are looking for someone who can:

• Provide intensive (200 hours) outreach service to families who Child Protection have referred for preservation or reunification support. If required by family provide outreach between 7am-7pm.
• Rapidly engage families to provide intensive, therapeutic, trauma and evidence informed support that is centred around creating wellbeing and safety for the child, building parental/caregiver capacity and improving family functioning.
• Undertake child and family risk assessments using evidence-based tools such as the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale, with a focus on strengths, needs and risks.
• Develop, implement and review child and family action plans that build on child and family assessments and are tailored to the needs of participating families. Plans are to be co-developed with children (as appropriate), families and carers, care team members and other relevant professionals.
• Provide families with practical and emotional support, coaching and skill building and connections to social and economic resources.

Benefits of working with MCM include:

• Diverse and inclusive organisation
• Attractive Salary Packaging benefits
• Supportive learning and development environment
• Culture of continuous improvement

Essential

• A Bachelor qualification in social work, youth work, psychology, early childhood development or related tertiary qualification.
• Substantial experience in providing therapeutic informed casework with children, parents and families, particularly those with complex needs.
• Sound understanding of child development and the factors that can impede a child's healthy development.
• Experience in providing risk and needs assessment, intervention and risk management.

Desirable

• Sound understanding of the service system for vulnerable parents and their children and experience in working in partnership with the child, youth and family sector.
• Strong communication skills including effective interpersonal, conflict negotiation and resolution skills.
• Strong written and administration skills; providing clear, concise, and accurate communication in various forms, including case notes, reports, and assessments.
• Proven flexibility, adaptability and able to respond and adjust easily to change in work demands, including the ability to work flexible hours.

Screening Criteria

• National Police check
• Working with Children check
• Valid Victorian Drivers license
• Right to Work in Australia

About MCM

MCM is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to safety. MCM embraces differences because we know that diversity and inclusion help us to attract, recruit, engage and retain talented people. We are a leading not-for profit-for-purpose organisation that offer a broad range of services in Disability, Homelessness, Palliative Care and Education.

Our commitment to Safety

MCM is committed to the safety of its clients and employees, taking a zero-tolerance approach to violence within the workplace and abuse, including child abuse and abuse of people with disability. All employees are required to comply with the Child Safe Standards.

Our commitment to Diversity, Inclusion & Equity of Access

At MCM we embrace our differences because we know that diversity helps us to innovate and make the biggest impact possible. Our DEI Strategy supports and drives an inclusive workplace culture. We embrace the learning opportunities that come with authentic commitment to equity of access for all. We particularly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply.