• Full-time – Maximum term contract until 30/6/25
• Sunshine, VIC

About Us

At Baptcare, we care. Our Mission and Vision are lived through our WE CARE Values: for our residents, customers, clients, partners, and supporters; with the very young through to the very old, the vulnerable, with families through all of life’s stages and challenges.

Baptcare is a purpose driven organisation working across Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia. Focused on providing residential and community care for older people and support to children, families, and people with disability, financially disadvantaged people and people seeking asylum.

Our Values are Wellbeing, Ethics, Co-creating, Accountability, Respect and Effectiveness​. ​

About the Role

The Kinship First Supports Practitioner works alongside the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) Child Protection under the kinship care model aimed at identifying kinship networks earlier; promoting placement quality working alongside children and young people living in care; promoting placement stability; and building community connections.. 

The role reports to the Team Leader - Kinship Supports and indirectly to the Care and Support Services Manager. Family and Community Services programs/services operate across Victoria and Tasmania and are funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, Victoria and/or Communities Tasmania. 

The role provides timely and comprehensive assessments within kin/kith placements identified by the the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) Child Protection, as well as to voluntary kinship placements across the Brimbank, Melton and Western Melbourne local government areas. The Kinship First Supports Practitioner provides outreach and in-home support to children and young people as well as kinship carer(s), who present with a range of complex issues related to drug and alcohol use, family violence, mental health, and cycles of disadvantage and poverty resulting in chronic neglect and cumulative harm. The intervention is provided through the provision of an early comprehensive assessment, brokerage and access to family service hours ranging from 10-110 hours. Through engagement, assessment, planning and the coordination of services, sustainable change that achieves positive social, emotional, educational and health outcomes for children and their carers is delivered. Service provision occurs primarily through ongoing implementation, review and progress assessment of the needs of the client. 

About You

You will ideally bring the following:

• Tertiary Qualifications in Social Work, Psychology, or other relevant Human Services qualification and/or experience
• Comprehensive assessments at the initial stages of a kinship placement, supporting Child Protection in assessing the suitability of the placement, as well as providing recommendations to support stability of placement.
• Plan, develop and monitor implementation of evidenced-based interventions to address placement stability, parenting/caring capacity, safety, stability and developmental needs of children.
• Commitment to the delivery of evidence-informed best practice services to vulnerable children, youth and families with complex needs, children with a disability
• Maintain and encourage positive working relationships with key stakeholders including the funding body and membership of key networks.
• Support and assist, as required, operational and strategic relationships, planning and initiatives within Baptcare.
• Develop, maintain, support and assist effective relationships with DHHS and other funding bodies.
• Ability to be self-directed and work autonomously and demonstrate excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Confident communication skills, in written and verbal English, highly impactful influencing, negotiation, persuasion and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to obtain a Police check through Baptcare
• Current Working With Children Check
• Victorian Driver’s License
• Minimum two doses of Covid-19 vaccination or willingness to obtain before commencement

For You

Baptcare is focused on living our values, not just talking about them. You’ll find the culture at Baptcare is one of genuine respect, support, and positive intention. We work hard to achieve results through change, continuous improvement, and ongoing focus on providing the best service delivery to our stakeholders. 

Further, the successful candidate will receive:

• Work with a supportive and dynamic team.
• A competitive salary, plus access to the tax benefits of salary packaging and novated leasing.
• Career and development opportunities.
• Access to confidential counselling and support services.
• Flexible working within a local community.
• Be part of an organisation and a team that is driven to make a difference to the lives of our vulnerable community members.

How to Apply

Click 'Apply Now' to submit your application by the closing date.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

• Applicants must have the right to work in Australia.
• The successful applicant will be required to undergo a National Criminal History check.
• Must have had or be willing to get two doses of the COVID vaccination

If you require support with the application process, please contact [email protected] using the subject line: Practitioner Kinship Team enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Baptcare is committed to building a respectful and inclusive workplace, appointing the best person for the role, and supporting diversity. We welcome applicants who may require adjustments.

Baptcare is dedicated to the safety, empowerment and participation of all children. We have zero tolerance of child abuse and are committed to a thoughtful, protective environment that supports infants, children and young people to feel safe and respected.