• 0.6 Part-time Ongoing
• Ballarat Location
• Salary Package up to $109,086 pro rata including 11% super (Salary range $94,014 - $98,276)
• Award winning inclusive employer 

OUR ORGANISATION

AT Cafs, YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

Cafs (Child and Family Services Ballarat) is a proudly independent community service organisation, with our head office located in the Ballarat community. We celebrate diversity and strive to be inclusive in everything we do. For over 156 years, the heart of our service has been the wellbeing of children, young people and their families. Today, that commitment stands strong, and we extend our programs to include everyone who needs assistance across Central Highlands region including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, members of the LGBTIQA+ community, people of all abilities, , cultural backgrounds and religions.

Cafs have adopted Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) as our preferred model of care and way of strengthening relationships with others. TBRI uses Empowering Principles to address physical needs, Connecting Principles for attachment needs, and Correcting Principles to disarm fear-based behaviours. Our services are aimed at providing early help and intervention, targeted support and ongoing assistance.

Cafs is a value driven organisation, which means we use our values to hold ourselves to account in how we work together and how we serve our clients

OUR OPPORTUNITY

The Community Connections Practitioner aims to broker access to new pathways, opportunities, networks, and resources within the community, so that young people can build enabling and sustained connections.

Community Connections focusses on improving young people’s social capital, with an emphasis on building support networks outside of the service system that provide opportunities for community participation and access to new pathways. This includes both developing new opportunities and leveraging existing local partnerships, spanning government, business, community services, philanthropy, volunteer mentoring and education providers.

The position is responsible for engaging in therapeutic relationships with a young person to empower and transition to independence focusing on five service areas including: Housing and Living Skills, Education, Employment, Health and Wellbeing and Community Connections. 

ABOUT YOU

We are looking for a motivated and passionate professional to join our team. The successful candidate will come with relevant experience working in youth case management or a youth-specific support role.

Key skills and attributes:

• You will possess a high level of emotional intelligence and excellent communication skills.

• You will have a drive to link young people with mentors to achieve goals and aspirations and to prepare for transition into independent living.
• You will enjoy building stakeholder relationships and liaising positively with other services in the best interests of young people.
• You will be self-motivated and resilient.

• You are not afraid of a challenge and constantly seek to grow and develop.
• Alignment to Cafs values of Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, Kindness & Innovation

QUALIFICATIONS

Diploma level or higher in Social work, Welfare Studies, Family Therapy, Psychology or related tertiary discipline is required for this role. Training in community development is desirable.

What is on offer at Cafs?

• Above award entitlements, including 3 days paid Christmas Leave
• Opportunity to purchase additional leave
• Join an organisation that lives their values
• Inclusive, supportive and innovative teams
• Rewarding and Meaningful Careers with professional development and dedicated resources to support your growth 
• Salary Packaging options up to $15,900 plus meals and entertainment

To find out more go visit our careers page.

INTERESTED?

We would love to hear from you, to find out more about this opportunity contact Rachel Measham-Pywell, Team Leader Youth Case Management & Better Futures or Alma Evans, Talent Acquisition Business Partner on 03 5337 3333.

WANT TO APPLY?

To apply for this role please submit your application through the online portal by selecting the “Apply Now” button below.

Please note applications will be reviewed as they are received, and applicants may be contacted for interview prior to the closing date. 

Please note all applicants must be eligible to work in Australia and will be subject to a satisfactory Police Check outcome and an employment Working with Children Check. Cafs strongly recommend all staff be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

At Cafs we welcome applications from all people and strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people living with a disability, LGBTIQA+ and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to apply for our positions at Cafs.

Need support with your application?

If you require additional assistance with your application, please contact [email protected] using the subject line: Community Connections Practitioner - Ballarat enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.