• Melbourne: Casual roles
• Newcastle: Part-time 4 days per week (negotiable)

About the Mirabel Foundation

Mirabel is an Australian children's charity, established in Victoria in 1998 and extended into New South Wales in 2003. It was founded by Jane Rowe, a drug and alcohol counsellor who saw firsthand the toll parental drug use takes on children, and how the cycle repeats across generations.

Today, Mirabel supports children who are being raised by extended family, usually grandparents, because of parental drug use. We deliver proven programs for the children, alongside crisis support and parenting help for the kinship carers raising them.

We believe every child deserves a childhood. Our mission is to break the cycle of addiction. Our vision is that every child has a childhood filled with love, hope and belonging.

About Mirabel’s Youth and Children’s Programs

Mirabel is often the one constant in a child’s life. We provide a wide range of programs that span across childhood and adolescence that include recreational activities, camps, therapeutic groups, youth support, educational assistance and advocacy.

At our Big Days Out and Mega Camps, it's not unusual to hear kids say they've never had so much fun. More importantly, our groups are often the first-time children discover they are not alone and can talk openly about their past without feeling judged.

Where you come in

We're looking for someone who can make a child or young person feel like they're the most important person in the room. You'll plan meticulously and adapt quickly while working as part of a team. You’ll bring confidence and creativity to group facilitation with children and adolescents, thriving in a room full of excited (and sometimes challenging) kids. You’ll be an enthusiastic and calming presence who enjoys helping young people discover their potential.

Key objectives of the role

• Co- facilitate existing evidence-based therapeutic children’s groups and therapeutic teens groups
• Provide recreational activities, camps, referral and follow-up for vulnerable children and youth
• Facilitate existing programs of support for young people and explore potential future programs in consultation with the Mirabel team
• Provide individual youth support to at-risk young people
• Participate and contribute to regular debriefing with the child & youth team and your coordinator
• Interact with the children’s kinship carers as required

What the role involves:

• Therapeutic groups: you’ll co-facilitate weekly and monthly therapeutic children’s groups and therapeutic teens groups across various locations, typically between 4.30pm-6.30pm on weeknights (1-2 per week). You’ll help deliver and support the evaluation processes of our programs and follow up on any issues that come up during groups.
• Recreational activities and camps: We love giving kids something to look forward to. You'll work alongside the child and youth team to co-facilitate events and camps that Mirabel young people genuinely enjoy. Some weekend work and overnight stays are involved.
• One-to-one youth support: You'll have a small case load of young people experiencing crisis or not yet ready for group programs. The focus is on keeping them connected to family, linking them with local services or specialised organisations, and bringing them into Mirabel's group programs when the time is right.
• Team collaboration: You'll work alongside the child and youth team and the family support team to plan, deliver, reflect on and evaluate the impact of our programs. From time to time, you may also assist family programs at a Family Fun Day or Kinship Carer Support Meeting.
• Administration and data keeping: You'll keep thorough notes in our Outcomes Management Database (Salesforce) and contribute to impact measurement and evaluation when required.
• Act in accordance with Mirabel’s Code of Conduct: we are committed to ensuring the safely and wellbeing of all Mirabel children and families at all times.

Let’s talk about you

• Purpose-driven: you want your skills to support people, not profit.
• Service experience: at least 2 years' experience working with children and families, including group work and individual support.
• Sector knowledge: solid understanding of child protection processes, the education system and how drug issues impact families.
• Self-directed & great team player: great at managing your own time and taking initiative in consultation with your coordinator on new ideas that would benefit Mirabel young people. Always happy to jump in and support other team members when required.
• Experienced juggler: there are lots of moving parts in this role, and you handle them without dropping the ball.
• Practical requirements: Full Australian driver's license and confidence with Microsoft office and social media platforms.

Required for the role

• Tertiary Qualification in Health, Social Sciences, Education or other relevant field
• Experience working with children and families
• Computer literacy, especially MS Outlook, MS Word and ability to learn Salesforce database.

• Working with Children Check and Police Check required before commencement.

In addition, the position requires meeting the behaviour standards outlined in Mirabel’s Practice and Behaviour Policy and Procedure and to:

• promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
• report any suspicions, concerns, allegations or disclosures of alleged abuse to management.
• maintain valid ‘working with children’ documentation and vaccination requirements.
• undergo periodic criminal history record checks.
• report to management any criminal charges or convictions you receive during the course of your employment that may indicate a possible risk to children and young people.

Authority

• This position is accountable to the CEO of The Mirabel Foundation and the Programs Manager and will work collaboratively in consultation with the Mirabel leadership team and the CEO.
• Pre-approval from the CEO or Finance Manager is required for all expenses.