Child and Family Practitioner

Goodstart is Australia's largest early learning provider. As a not-for-profit social enterprise, we exist purely to improve the lives of Australia's children and their families. Our people are our foundation, together we are working to ensure children have the learning, development and wellbeing outcomes they need for school and life.

Role: Child & Family Practitioner

Location: Victoria West

Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent

Help give every child the best possible start in life

At Goodstart, we're committed to ensuring all children, regardless of their circumstances, have access to high-quality early learning that supports their development, wellbeing and future success.

As a Child and Family Practitioner, you'll play a critical role in supporting children, families and educators to achieve positive outcomes during the most important years of a child's development. Working within our Social Inclusion team, you'll partner with Centre Directors and educators to identify and respond to developmental concerns, strengthen family engagement and connect children and families with the supports they need to thrive.

This is a unique opportunity to combine your expertise in child development, family support and trauma-informed practice with your passion for creating inclusive learning environments. You'll work directly with children and families while also building the capability of educators through coaching, consultation and professional support.

Reporting to the National Manager Child and Family Service, you'll collaborate with educators, centre leadership, community services and allied health professionals to deliver evidence-informed strategies that improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families.

Please note: This role supports a broad portfolio of Goodstart centres across Victoria West, including metropolitan Melbourne, Ballarat, Geelong and regional Victoria, with some portfolio locations in Tasmania. While you won't be expected to regularly support every location, regional travel is an inherent part of the role. A current unrestricted driver's licence is required, and the role is eligible for a vehicle allowance.

Your Impact

• Support children, families and educators through an integrated, evidence-informed approach that promotes inclusion, participation and positive developmental outcomes.
• Work alongside educators to identify developmental, behavioural or wellbeing concerns and contribute to tailored support and care planning.
• Provide coaching, consultation and practical guidance to educators to strengthen their confidence and capability in supporting children with additional needs.
• Observe educator-child interactions and provide constructive feedback that enhances child development, learning and wellbeing outcomes.
• Build trusted relationships with families, providing individualised support and helping them navigate available community and allied health services.
• Facilitate referrals and connect families with appropriate external supports to ensure early intervention needs are identified and addressed.
• Coordinate and participate in multi-agency meetings, contributing to collaborative goal setting, case planning and progress reviews.
• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with community services, family support agencies and allied health providers to strengthen referral pathways.

What Goodstart can offer you

• Enjoy flexible work arrangements that support both your professional and personal commitments.
• Vehicle allowance to support regular travel across the Victoria West region.
• Salary packaging benefits available through AccessPay (eligibility applies).
• Access to discounted childcare (up to 15%).
• Fitness Passport - access to gyms and pools for you and your family at a heavily discounted price.
• Discounted healthcare and access to our employee wellbeing program with BUPA.
• Exclusive discounts on travel, gym memberships, Apple and Dell products, and more.
• Free annual flu shot (optional).
• Option to purchase extra leave for even greater work-life balance.
• First Nations Support and Cultural Leave.
• Work for a company with an aspiration to be globally recognised for early years practice and learning outcomes.
• Grow your career through ongoing investment in learning, leadership development and meaningful work that supports children and families across Australia.
• Be part of a multidisciplinary team committed to improving outcomes for vulnerable children and families through early intervention and inclusion.

You'll bring to the table

• Tertiary qualifications in Social Work or Psychology (Essential)
• Strong understanding of child development (birth to 5 years), early childhood frameworks and trauma-informed practice.
• Experience supporting young children and families, including developing individual support or care plans, particularly for vulnerable children and families.
• Ability to build strong relationships and work collaboratively with families, educators and multidisciplinary professionals.
• Excellent communication, consultation, coaching and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and contribute to reporting and continuous improvement activities.
• Commitment to ethical practice, professional integrity and maintaining confidentiality.
• Current Working with Children Check (or ability to obtain).
• Current unrestricted driver's licence and willingness to travel regularly throughout the Victoria West region.

Highly regarded:

• Experience in child protection, mental health, family support or allied health settings.
• Knowledge of local family support and allied health services.
• Experience mentoring or supporting the development of others.
• Training in Circle of Security Parenting, Bringing Up Great Kids, Marte Meo or similar programs.

How to apply

Click ‘Apply Now' and submit your application. Applications are reviewed as they're received, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible for the best opportunity to progress.

Have a question? Contact Faith in our Talent Acquisition Team via email ***********@goodstart.org.au.

At Goodstart we are deeply committed to Reconciliation and encourage Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people to apply. For further information and support email *************@goodstart.org.au

If you are a placement agency or external recruiter, please refrain from submitting resumes to Goodstart unless you have a signed staffing agency agreement with us. Goodstart will not be responsible for or pay any placement fees for candidates submitted by agencies that are not approved suppliers. Any resumes received from agencies or external recruiters without an agreement will be reviewed by Goodstart and may be shared with our internal recruiting team for their reference.

Supporting our people and protecting our children

We're an equal opportunity employer that is proud of our inclusive and diverse work environment. We know that Goodstarters from diverse cultures, backgrounds and experiences strengthen our teams and help us grow. We're also deeply committed to Reconciliation and creating an environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People feel a strong sense of belonging and connection.

Safety is our priority and we will take any action necessary to ensure that all children can feel safe and be safe, and are safeguarded from abuse, neglect and harm. As a Child Safe Organisation, all of our candidates must have or obtain a valid working with children check.