• Part-time, maximum-term position to December 2025 (30.4 hours per fortnight)
• Research Initiative replicating the Early Years Education Program
• Unique opportunity supporting children living with significant adversity

About the opportunity

Uniting, in partnership with Victorian Department of Education and The Parkville Institute are preparing to open the first research replication centre for the Early Years Education Program. This service located in Richmond will seek to determine whether children, recruited with the same eligibility criteria as those in the trial project, can achieve the same remarkable learning and development outcomes. This will be one of three replication sites established in Australia.

This service will work with a multidisciplinary team of researchers to ensure the model is implemented with fidelity. The service will operate with lower child to staff ratios, with a maximum of 48 children attending 5 hours per day Monday to Friday and with most educators and teachers employed full-time.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to contribute significantly to research that could shape the future of the early childhood sector in Australia.

“The early years model being used in this Uniting Vic.Tas innovative centre uses an evidence informed and  practical approach for supporting families and improving children's outcomes so that vulnerable children enter school as confident learners on par with their peers.” - Dr Anne Kennedy

View the full position description here.

About you

The Family Services Practitioner of this research replication site will have significant experience (minimum of 7 years) in professional direct practice experience with infants and young children in the child and family welfare sector or similar.

Holding a Tertiary degree in Social Work or a post graduate qualification in a related discipline, you with have highly developed skills in infant, child and family direct practice and will be experienced in providing formal supervision and mentoring support to colleagues.

Your ability to work effectively and respectfully in a leadership role within a multidisciplinary team and with other services, agencies and professionals to achieve successful client outcomes will be key to this role.

How to Apply

If this sounds like you, apply today by submitting:

• Cover letter (1 page outlining your suitability according to the position description)
• Current resume (no more than 3 pages).

Get in touch

For more information regarding this position, please contact Jonathon Mitchell, Program & Project Delivery Manager on 0429 003 123 during business hours or via [email protected] using the subject line: Family Services Practitioner - Advanced - Safe Haven Initiative enquiry via EthicalJobs.

About Uniting

At Uniting we are passionate about working together to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice.

Visit us: www.vt.uniting.org

Uniting is a child safe organisation and is committed in everyday practice to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children, at all times. As a ‘child safe’ organisation, employment with Uniting is subject to a satisfactory national (and international where relevant) police check and relevant Working with Children Check in your State prior to commencement of any paid or unpaid work and/or participation in any service or undertaking. It is a condition of employment that all eligible workforce in Victoria receive the COVID-19 vaccination and supporting evidence may be requested in order to perform duties at any of Uniting’s workplaces.

Uniting is also committed to equal opportunity and ensuring the workplace is reflective of the community. We encourage people from different backgrounds to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and people with a disability.