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HIPPY Coordinator - Fitzroy

Brotherhood of St Laurence

Summary of program and its objectives:

The Children, Youth & Families (CYF) exists to engage with individual and communities to empower them and build their capacity through providing services, advocacy and community regeneration. The work of the division is structured around children and families as well as young people and refugees.

The Connie Benn Community Team sits within the Children, Youth and Families division and provides a range of programs for families and children which include:

  • Growing Learners / 2Generation program
  • Supported Playgroups
  • Parenting Programs
  • Homework Club
  • Breakfast Club
  • HIPPY Programs
  • Parent School Connect Program

The Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY) is one of the major ways the Brotherhood of St Laurence is working to tackle childhood disadvantage by supporting the central role of parents in lifting their children out of poverty. The HIPPY initiative has already proven to be most successful in working with families and children aged between 4 and 5 years to build a strong foundation for school success.

HIPPY is an early childhood enrichment program which works with parents of young children in disadvantaged communities.  Through regular home visiting and group activities over a two year period, parents are provided with the materials, skills and confidence to enable them to better help their children prepare for a successful start to school life. The program aims to:

  • provide a child with a structured education-focused early learning program at home;
  • improve children's preparedness for school and strengthen school participation;
  • build the confidence and skills of parents and carers to create a positive home learning environment;
  • support employment and community leadership opportunities for HIPPY coordinators, home tutors and parents; and
  • strengthen communities. 

Main responsibilities of the role:

The HIPPY Coordinator role oversees and coordinates the day-to-day operations for the program. The Coordinator has the primary responsibility for all aspects of implementation and management of the program, which includes tutor recruitment and training, family recruitment and facilitating the effective promotion of the program throughout the broader community. 

To meet the selection criteria, candidates will require:

Essential

  • Relevant tertiary qualifications in Education, Early Childhood, Community Development, Bachelor of Social Work, Diploma of Welfare Studies or equivalent qualifications in a related discipline appropriate to the coordination of child, youth family and community services.
  • Proven experience in working in an early childhood (0-8 years) service/program and strong knowledge of early childhood development and/or early intervention programs for children and their families.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in supporting adult learners as well as working with children and families, particularly in disadvantaged communities, including Indigenous and refugee and migrant communities.
  • Proven skills and experience in leading and managing a team of paid and unpaid staff.
  • Proven written, interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build effective relationships both internally and externally with local communities and service providers and with people from diverse backgrounds.
  • Strong computer literacy skills with competency in using database programs and Microsoft Office Programs including Word, Excel and Outlook
  • Skills and experience in monitoring budgets, accountability and reporting.
  • Demonstrated ability to identify and resolve problems and make appropriate recommendations, and take ownership and responsibility for decisions.
  • Well-developed time management and organisational skills, with the ability to plan workload, prioritise and meet deadlines.
  • Ability to work independently and effectively within a team, and within an integrated service framework, to achieve outcomes.
  • Understanding of and empathy with the values and ideals of the Brotherhood.

Desirable

  • Understanding of and familiarity with people and community in the local area
  • Current Victorian Drivers Licence. 

This is a permanent part time position working 30.4 hours per week in Fitzroy. Salary will be based on skills and experience plus superannuation. Attractive salary packaging provisions are available to increase take home pay. To view a full position description, please click here.

As part of the Brotherhood’s recruitment and selection process, applicants will be required to undergo pre-employment checks as required, applicants will be subject to, but not limited to, the following checks: National (and International if applicable) Police Check, Victorian Employee Working with Children Check, Right to Work in Australia, Disability Worker Exclusion Scheme Check and current professional registration. 

The Brotherhood of St Laurence has a vision of an Australia free of Poverty. We embrace, and value, diversity of culture, working arrangements, sexual orientation and gender identity to ensure our workforce is representative of the community that we work within. We promote a workplace that actively seeks to include and welcome unique contributions of all people. We embrace and celebrate the value of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, their skills and contribution to our organisation.

How to apply

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