• Salary: $97,000.00 - $101,000.00
• Job Type: Part-time Contract
• Location: Narre Warren

Want to know why it’s an exciting time to join Windermere? Firstly, there is no other organisation quite like us. Why do you ask? We are an independent community service organisation working across the Southeast of Victoria to help those who need it most. Our unique range of services include Family Health & Wellbeing, Childhood Development, Education & Support, Early Intervention Therapy Services, NDIS Support Coordination and Plan Management, Homelessness Support, Counselling Services, assistance to support victims of trauma, assault and violent crimes and Recovery Support Services.

Why work at Windermere?

We are committed to outcome-focused care for children, families and individuals and to making a positive difference in the community. As well as tailored support services for individuals and families, Windermere provides a varied scope of services to support disadvantaged and vulnerable people. Windermere offers a culture of flexibility, support and wellbeing.

Staff Benefits - this is where we stand out from the crowd!  Windermere offers staff a wide range of unique benefits beyond the salary.

• Flexible Ways of Working - home, in the office or combination of both
• Above Award Personal Leave and 17.5% annual leave loading
• Gifted days off (between Christmas and New Year)
• Employee Referral Program - $500 per referral
• Flexible Leave Scheme (50/52, 51/52)
• Generous salary packaging (up to $15,900 per year + additional $2,650 meals and entertainment)
• Structured performance and 1-on-1 development check-ins and secondment opportunities
• Staff discount program for everyday items
• Opportunities for professional development

Windermere care about staff and strive for continuous improvement, which is why we regularly ask our staff and consumers about what we can do better. In our latest staff survey 95% of respondents said they are "happy to tell their family and friends they work at Windermere" and 95% agree "staff are welcome regardless of age, cultural background, race, religion, disability, gender identity or sexual orientation".  

Job Description

Now, let’s talk about this exciting opportunity!

Our Family Preservation and Reunification Response (FPRR) Practitioners work collaboratively with children, young people and families to provide an immediate, intensive and sustained intervention.

The FPRR model is an integrated and evidence based/informed approach to supporting families and building upon their capacity and capabilities to problem solve with the aim of preventing children and young people (re)entering the out of home care system.

The FPRR model is innovative and built upon practice elements such as motivational interviewing, communication skill building and goal setting to respond to identified need and achieve measurable outcomes for vulnerable families. In working collaboratively with children, young people, parents and carers they seek to address key intersectionality issues (e.g. substance use, mental illness, low income, social isolation) as identified between the FPRR practitioner and the family.

The FPRR Practitioner will provide outreach wraparound services to families with children and young people between the ages from 0 to 17 years and work in collaboration with identified partner agencies.

FPRR practitioners work within a family and child centred and strength-based approach, complete intensive assessments and goal planning with families, complete survey data, planning of care team meetings and safety and risk planning.  

FPRR Practitioner will have the ability to work flexibly (between the hours of 8am – 8pm), will work cohesively as part of the Integrated Family Services team. FPRR Practitioners will report to the FPRR Team Leader.

The aim of the program is to:

• Equip and build upon parents’ knowledge and understanding about their child(ren) and/or young people’s development.
• Assist in developing parenting strategies they can use to best meet the development needs of their child(ren) and/or young people.
• Strengthen parenting capacity and capabilities to ensure child health, wellbeing, stability safety and developmental outcomes are being met.

Key Selection Criteria

• Bachelor in Social Work, Social Welfare, Psychology or similar disciplines
• Minimum 2 years’ experience working as a practitioner within the community sector, FPRR experience is desirable.
• Demonstrated understandings of Child, Youth and Family service acts and relevant legislation/s
• Experience facilitating coaching practices, evidence-based practices and strengths-based work to vulnerable families
• Sound problem solving skills and time management abilities
• Strong communication skills and professionalism
• Willingness to promote and support practices that are inclusive, culturally responsive, safe and accessible.
• Current Victorian Drivers’ Licence.
• Willingness to undertake relevant pre-employment screening and checks.
• Right to Work in Australia e.g. Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or Visa holder with full working rights

About You

• Significant experience working with Children and Families providing evidenced based interventions.
• Experience working with families, children and Young People who have experienced significant trauma.
• An understanding of how trauma can affect the development of children and young people.
• Flexibility and adaptability to work in a busy and dynamic program and the ability to work flexible hours when required including some evenings.

This role is part-time (0.6 FTE 22.8 hours per week) 2-year fixed term contract, with a hybrid model of working remotely (and providing outreach) as well as working from one of our offices based in the South East of Victoria (Narre Warren or Pakenham).

Due to Windermere being a not-for-profit organisation a Salary Packaging benefit of up to $15,900 is available to our employees.

Example - If this benefit is maximised the take-home part-time (45.6 hours per fortnight) salary for this role is between $2,028 and $2,104 per fortnight* and the equivalent annual salary in the marketplace without salary tax benefits is between $66k and $69K.  *Note - this will depend on your personal circumstances.

If this opportunity excites you, then click the “Apply Now” button to view the detailed position description and submit your application. Please also ensure you address the Key Selection Criteria in your application letter.

If you require any specific access adjustments or support within the Windermere recruitment, interview or onboarding process please contact our Talent Acquisition Specialist via phone +613 8794 1311 or email [email protected] using the subject line: Family Preservation and Reunification Response Practitioner enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Windermere is committed to equity & equality for consumers and employees, this by building diverse and inclusive services and work environments, where all peoples from Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander, CALD, LGBTIQ+ Communities and those living with disability will know and feel accepted, affirmed, safe and celebrated. Windermere is delivering this through the continued development and implementation of our Welcoming and Inclusion Strategy as we seek to provide a diverse workforce at all levels.