Strengthening Families Practitioner

We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic practitioner who is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of children, young people, and families. This role is ideal for someone who is a strong advocate, values relationship-based practice, and brings a holistic and therapeutic approach to supporting families.

About the role

The Strengthening Families Practitioner supports vulnerable children, young people, and families across the Melton and Brimbank regions through intensive outreach casework delivered in homes and community settings. Working within MacKillop Family Services’ Strengthening Families program, the role focuses on improving child safety, wellbeing, and family functioning by engaging parents and carers, completing assessments, developing family action plans, coordinating with community and professional supports, and providing trauma-informed, strengths-based interventions. The practitioner works collaboratively with families and key stakeholders to address complex needs, build parenting capacity, promote positive outcomes for children, and ensure culturally safe practice, particularly when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

This is a fixed-term, part-time opportunity (30.4 hours per week across 4 days) based in Melton, commencing immediately and continuing until 25 June 2027. The role sits within the Family and Community Services program and reports directly to the Family Services Coordinator

Key Selection Criteria:

To be successful in this role, you will have:

Key Selection Criteria

Key Required Experience

• Demonstrated experience working with children, young people, and families, with a strong understanding of childhood development and a whole-of-family approach.
• Experience supporting families affected by attachment difficulties, intergenerational trauma, and complex needs.
• Working knowledge of the MARAM Framework, including risk assessment, safety planning, and the application of FVISS and CISS information-sharing requirements.
• Proven ability to provide outreach casework and trauma-informed support to children and families in community and home-based settings.
• Experience building collaborative relationships with community services, schools, health providers, and other key stakeholders to support positive family outcomes.
• Knowledge of attachment and trauma-informed practice for Aboriginal children, young people, and families, with the ability to apply this understanding in casework.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and work effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, and families experiencing complex trauma.

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:

Sandra Rodlden at sandra.rolden@mackillop.org.au

Our offer:

• Hourly Rate based on SCHADS Award Level 5 dependent on qualification and experience.
• Salary packaging – we can help you to maximise your salary packaging up to $18,550 per year, which allows you to reduce the amount of tax you pay.
• 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.
• Paid Training that is industry specific including Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), Sanctuary and Cultural Awareness training.
• 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.
• 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 (for risk assessed / client facing roles). MacKillop can assist successful candidates with their application.

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.