NEST Key Worker

About the role:

• Full-Time position to February 2027, located in Macgregor ACT 
• Base annual salary $73,937 to $80,897 negotiable based on experience and qualifications

• 12% super and access to generous NFP salary packaging options

About the opportunity:

At Uniting, we believe every child deserves a safe, nurturing start to life—and every parent deserves the chance to thrive. As a NEST Key Worker, you’ll walk alongside families during pregnancy and early parenthood, offering practical, compassionate support when it matters most.

This is more than a job. It’s an opportunity to change the trajectory of a child’s life—before it even begins.

The Neonatal Early Support Team (NEST) is designed to support families early—before challenges escalate. You’ll work with parents both before and after birth, helping build confidence, strengthen parenting skills, and connect families to the support they need to stay safely together.

Through outreach and home visits, you’ll meet families where they are—literally and emotionally—offering guidance, advocacy and real, hands-on help.

What you’ll be doing:

• Provide direct key worker support to families with complex needs participating in the NEST program.
• Deliver outreach services and home visits to families before and after birth.
• Support parents to develop parenting skills and build confidence in caring for their baby.
• Provide education regarding pregnancy, foetal development, infant attachment, responsive parenting, feeding, settling, and safe sleep practices.
• Assist families to achieve practical stability, including access to housing, income support, Medicare, Centrelink, baby essentials, safe sleep equipment, and car restraints.
• Support the program's aim of reducing the risk of statutory child protection intervention at birth.
• Liaise with maternity services, mental health services, alcohol and other drug services, domestic violence services, housing providers, disability services, dental services and GPs.
• Work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities in culturally safe, respectful and responsive ways.
• Contribute to culturally safe environments where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families feel safe, heard and supported.
• Effectively engage with families from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

Your Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum Diploma qualification in Social Work, Welfare, Community Services or a related field, and/or relevant experience working with children and families.

•  Demonstrated cultural capability by recognising and respecting First Nations histories, cultures, strengths and rights and experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families and communities.
• Experience working with children, families and vulnerable populations, including those affected by domestic and family violence.

• Experience using family-centred, strengths-based and trauma-informed approaches.
• Experience working with complex family systems and kinship networks.
• Understanding of child protection issues and intervention frameworks.
• Current Driver’s Licence with good driving history and a current ACT WWVP card.

Benefits and culture

Working to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice brings its own rewards, but there’s more.

• Welcoming you exactly as you are
• Access to generous NFP salary packaging options
• Wellbeing programs as well as access to Uniting’s URewards retail partner program.
• Career development opportunities such as training, education.
• Amazing workplace culture

Please contact Belinda Condon from Uniting’s Talent Acquisition team if you have any questions or enquiries – bcondon@uniting.org.au

To apply: Please complete the online application form and include a current resume and cover letter addressing the qualifications and experience for this position.

Applications close: 11:55pm Sunday 30th August 2026  

Employment with Uniting is subject to satisfactory background checks, which include National Police Checks, Working with Children Checks and Reference Checks.  
 

Empowered by diversity:
At Uniting, inclusion isn’t just something we value – it’s how we work. Our culture and practice reflect the vibrant diversity of our colleagues, and the clients and communities we serve.

Uniting is a Child Safe Organisation committed to promoting the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of children and young people.

 About Uniting:

When you’re part of Uniting NSW.ACT, you’re part of a diverse, purpose-led team of people who are really making a difference to the world around them.

We contribute to the work and mission of the Uniting Church in NSW and the ACT through social justice advocacy, community services and spiritual care. We provide care and support for people through all ages and stages of life, with a focus on people experiencing disadvantage and vulnerability. Our purpose is to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice.

Uniting leaders and employees work together to create a culture that is safe, inclusive and person-centred. We bring this to life every day through our values: compassionate, respectful, imaginative and bold.

Uniting acknowledges the continuing sovereignty and rich cultural diversity of Australia’s First Peoples. We pay our respects to all Elders – past, present, and emerging – and to all First Peoples on whose lands we live and work.