• Research Project Intensive Early Childhood Education and Care Program
• Unique opportunity supporting children living with significant adversity

About the opportunity

Uniting, in partnership with Victorian Department of Education and Parkville Institute have collaborated to open a research childcare centre providing an intensive early childhood education and care program. This Richmond-based service will seek to determine whether children, recruited with the same eligibility criteria as those in previous trials, can achieve the same remarkable learning and development outcomes. This will be one of four research sites established in Australia.

The service will operate with lower child-to-staff ratios, with a maximum of 42 children attending 5 hours per day Monday to Friday, 50 weeks of the year and with most educators and teachers employed full-time.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to contribute significantly to research that could shape the future of the early childhood sector in Australia.

“Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work in an early childhood education centre where the ratios were better, the group sizes small, you had two hours every day out of the room for planning, mentorship and coaching and where you could make a significant difference in the lives of children and families? The Cooke Court Uniting SEED program will have those conditions and more. I’m looking forward to working with you!” – Dr Anne Kennedy

View the full position description here.

About the Centre

We are located in a central part of Richmond, close to public transport and have been a part of the local community educating and caring for children for over 100 years. We have large natural outdoor play spaces for children to access from all classrooms to support children to play, explore and engage with the natural environment.

We have a strong emphasis of building staff leadership and knowledge-based capacity with regular high-quality professional development and ongoing mentor partnerships with leading experts in pedagogy, family support and infant/children’s mental health and wellbeing. Additionally, we have access to an onsite experienced Pedagogical Leader, Family Support Practitioner and Infant Mental Health Consultant (this role).

We have embedded staff well-being practices with regular reflective supervision, a close social team, access to a well-resourced Employee Wellbeing Program (EAP) and a diverse multi-disciplinary leadership team.

Benefits

• Salary packaging available
• Negotiable above award rate remuneration based on experience and qualifications
• Strong teaching teams with Low Educator to Child Ratios (1:3 & 1:5)
• Closed for two weeks over the Christmas/ New Year Period
• 60% discount on CCS Gap Fees for children enrolled in other Uniting Early Learning Service that receive Childcare Subsidy
• Be a part of a multidisciplinary leadership team alongside the Pedagogical Leader, Family Support Practitioner and Centre Director
• Contribute to research and practice that will change the life trajectories of children and families experiencing significant adversity

About you

The Infant Mental Health Consultant in this research childcare centre will have Significant experience (approximately 7 years) working with infants and toddlers (0-3yrs) in a direct clinical care role within an infant mental health service or similar.

Holding a Bachelor's Degree in a mental health discipline as well as a postgraduate degree or extensive training in infant and child mental health, you will be experienced providing secondary consultation to non-mental health agencies working with infants and toddlers.

Your ability to work effectively and respectfully in a leadership role within a multidisciplinary team where mental health is not the core discipline or main program focus will be key to this role.

How to apply

If this sounds like you, apply today by submitting:

• Cover letter (1 page outlining your suitability according to the position description)
• Current resume

Get in touch

For more information or discussion about the role, please contact: Lindsey Desmons on 0403 726 151 e. [email protected] or alternatively Brigid Jordan on 0408899271 e. [email protected] using the subject line: Infant Mental Health Consultant - Safe Haven Initiative enquiry via EthicalJobs.

About Uniting 

At Uniting we are passionate about working together to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice.

Visit us: www.vt.uniting.org

Uniting is a child-safe organisation and is committed in everyday practice to ensure the safety and well-being of all children, at all times. As a ‘child safe’ organisation, employment with Uniting is subject to a satisfactory national (and international where relevant) police check and relevant Working with Children Check in your State prior to commencement of any paid or unpaid work and/or participation in any service or undertaking. It is a condition of employment that all eligible workforce in Victoria receive the COVID-19 vaccination and supporting evidence may be requested in order to perform duties at any of Uniting’s workplaces.

Uniting is also committed to equal opportunity and ensuring the workplace is reflective of the community. We encourage people from different backgrounds to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and people with a disability.