• Duration: 12 months
• First Nations People, LGBTIQ+ people, people with disability, people of colour, public housing residents or people with a lived experience are encouraged to apply.
• DSS is committed to child safety and strictly adheres to the Reportable Conduct Scheme for organisations. The safeguarding and wellbeing of our clients is our core focus. All staff must undergo thorough recruitment process including screening and providing evidence of current Working With Children Check and National Police Check.

About the role

Supporting mental health of partners and dads expecting a baby and in baby’s first 2 years of life.

Drummond Street Services has an opportunity for an experienced Parent/Child Coach who can work specifically with men and non-birth partners to provide high quality mental health support and parenting education. We know one of the biggest determinants of mother’s or main carer’s mental health is the amount and type of support they receive from their partner. Many partners want to be supportive but may not be sure how to be. 

This worker will resource colleagues and peer workers on the Ready Steady Family team as they navigate the dynamics of achieving whole of family positive mental health and related issues. This role will provide developmentally appropriate, trauma informed support to children and families in a range of disadvantaged settings such as housing estates and communities, operating across various sites in the North and West of Melbourne.  

We are seeking an experienced parenting educator with a minimum of a Certificate 4 qualification and practical experience in running groups, seminars and doing one on one work with clients in this area. A qualification in delivering Family Foundations would be an advantage.

The hours of work are flexible and will add up to 2.5 or 3 days per week.  The work will be based at the Ready Steady Family Carlton office with occasional requirements to work from other Melbourne sites such as Collingwood, Wyndham and Coburg, in addition to outreach work at family homes. The role is a 12 month position initially.

The specific responsibilities of the role include:

• Support the design, delivery and implementation of evidence informed interventions (including group work) that strengthen mental health of those supporting the birth parent
• Work on empowering Dads and the full diverse range of partners who are integral to infants life- this may include LGBTIQA+ parents/carers with the support of our Queer Perinatal Counsellor
• Visit clients in their home to provide parent coaching as negotiated with Drummond Street or work on Zoom platform to provide parent coaching sessions

The application process:

• All applications will be directed to our careers portal – Parent / Child Coach - Dads and Partners
• All applicants must include a resume and prepare a cover letter for the position (maximum of one page). Use this letter to outline:
  • Your interest/commitment to those experiencing perinatal mental health issues and family violence.
  • Your demonstrated ability to facilitate discussions and deliver activities and with individuals and groups of parents and infants.
  • The impacts you believe such a support role will have for new parents and babies.

To discuss this position further please contact Helen on 0439 207 277

A position description is attached.