• Collaborate and build strong relationships across the Bayside/Peninsula region (Bunurong Land) to foster engagement and community connection.
• Full-time, fixed-term contract role funded until 30th June 2027
• Level 5 SCHADS AWARD $100,776 FTE + Generous Salary Packaging + Super

Family Life is a recognised Employer of Choice. Work with us and be part of our supportive, people-focused culture.

The Opportunity

The Community Connector Practitioner will work closely with Restoring Families Practitioners, Family Life teams and partner agencies to support families transition from intensive services through fostering community connections and sustainable support networks. The Community Connector Practitioner will provide hands-on support, tailored referrals, and co-develop group offerings that promote engagement and belonging. Strong collaboration with and care teams is essential, along with a deep understanding of local services to establish effective referral pathways.

This role is based at our Frankston, Sandringham and Hampton East sites (Bunurong Land).

Key Responsibility Areas

The key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Manage a caseload of families working with Restoring Families funded agencies across the Bayside Peninsula area.
• Utilise systems and community capacity building skills to promote empowerment, independence and sustainable change.

• Deliver practical, targeted support to families consistent with their community connection plan, goals and recommendations from the care team. Identifying emerging community needs and designing/facilitating group/ community-based programs that promote connection, resilience and wellbeing.

• Maintain strong working relationships with the Restoring Families Practitioners from funded agencies, ensuring collaborative and complimentary support to families.
• Work alongside the Community Activation team in building, updating and maintaining professional and support networks. Ensuring avenues for warm referral and smooth connection to activities and support.
• Build capacity in community resources to support local families on the caseload to access connection
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the Restoring module-based framework.
• Taking an active role in the organisational priority of building on our “place based” approach to support, by activating community to increase accessibility and community involvement in supporting local families.
• Practitioners are required to deliver a full-time equivalent case load of 1,314 hours (at a minimum) of service delivery to clients annually.
• Facilitate a minimum of one group per year, which may require work after-hours.

Our Ideal Candidate at Family Life

Growth Mindset - You pride yourself for your commitment to resilience and continuous improvement. You see growth opportunities as opposed to failures, and you are always on the lookout for an improved workflow or process. You think creatively, value input and feedback from peers, and adapt to changing or unforeseen circumstances.

Curiosity - You naturally seek out learning opportunities and further information without being prompted to by your manager. You clarify the ‘Why’ and like to investigate and explore further information.

Proactivity - You are a positive influence on your colleagues, you opt-in to support organisational projects, and always lend a hand to support others.

The Community Connector Practitioner will be required to work flexibly, with hours that are aligned with the needs of the client, which will include outside normal business hours and occasional weekend work. Additionally, whilst primarily based from Family Life’s Sandringham, Hampton East and Frankston locations, this role will involve working across partner agencies to deliver support to families engaged in the response.

Who we are

At Family Life, we believe every child deserves to thrive in a safe and healthy family environment. Family Life is a specialist family services provider that has worked with children, families and communities for more than 50 years. Our vision is to work with clients and partners to create capable communities, strong families and thriving children.

We are known for our innovation and whole-of-community collective impact approach. Our teams are committed to transforming the lives of our clients and communities to build resilience and healthy relationships. We are proudly purpose-driven, independent and not for profit. We support our community through our specialist family services, community strengthening programs, a network of op shops, a vibrant engaged volunteer community and passionate skilled staff.

Working at Family Life - more than just a job!

It’s the feeling of knowing that your work is contributing to making the community in which you live a better place and working with others who feel the same way.

Additionally, you will have access to:

• Salary packaging (receive up to an extra $18,500 in tax-free pay per year)
• Paid Wellbeing Leave
• Paid Study Leave
• Additional Paid Leave for End of Year Closedown
• Purchased Annual Leave Scheme
• Rostered Day Off Scheme for Eligible Employees
• Employee Assistance Program, a free and confidential counselling service for employees

How to Apply

A position description is attached. 

Please submit your confidential application including a CV and cover letter addressing the key selection criteria by clicking 'Apply now'.

For further information regarding the position please contact Sara Swersky (Team Leader, Family Services) on (03) 8599 5433.

*We will be reviewing applications as they are received, therefore this role may close sooner if we find the right candidate. Please apply now to ensure you do not miss out!

All offers of employment are subject to the Family Life Safety Screening process, including a Working with Children Check and Police Records Check. Any person issued with a negative notice on their Working with Children Check will not be eligible for employment with Family Life.

Family Life values diversity and welcomes applicants who meet the position criteria, irrespective of race and ethnicity, colour, age, gender, gender identity, disability, religion and sexual orientation.

Family Life is a trauma informed organisation and recognises the unique skills, contributions and insights that come from lived experience.