About the Role
The purpose of the Child and Family Practitioner - Placement Preservation Support position is to provide a high level of skilled therapeutic support to children, young people, and families. The Child and Family Practitioner will work in partnership with parents, carers, young people, relevant government agencies and other stakeholders to develop and implement individualised therapeutic care plans that address safety concerns and help improve family functioning.
The position will also mentor and coach parents and carers in relation to trauma-based behaviours using the CARE model and other evidence-informed practices. The overall objective of the position is to ensure that families can stay together safely, and that parents and caregivers have the knowledge and skills to help their children and young people thrive.
This is a permanent full-time appointment based in Hobart. A Tool of Trade vehicle (including fuel card) will also be allocated to the successful candidate.
Key Responsibilities
* Undertake tailored casework practice in partnership with the relevant government agency, children, young people and their families, carers and other stakeholders.
* In a CARE informed way, work in partnership with caregivers to increase their understanding of the pervasive damage of trauma, loss, neglect and abuse and the impact for a child or young person.
* Apply the CARE model in day-to-day care with children and young people to enable them to learn to trust, to learn life skills, form relationships and gain resilience.
* Build and strengthen caregiver skills on how to include children and young people in decision making and support them to fulfill their potential.
* Where relevant, perform case management functions to support the sustainable care of the child or young person.
* Collaborate with various stakeholders, advocating for the needs of the child or young person to ensure that each individual is provided care that meets their needs for stability.
* Support placement stability using a flexible and individualised therapeutic approach to address safety concerns and increase family functioning across all wellbeing domains.
Skills & Experience
* Recognised Social Work qualifications with eligibility for membership of the AASW and/or a Bachelor of Psychology or other relevant qualification
* Significant experience in the child protection and out of home care sector
* Demonstrated experience working with individuals, families and communities from a strength-based, trauma informed and culturally appropriate perspective that are part of the out of home care sector
* Demonstrated experience in identifying an individual’s strengths and areas for improvement within the context of child protection with an emphasis on permanency for children in care.
* Demonstrated experience in working within a multi-disciplinary team
* Current unrestricted drivers licence
Successful candidates will be required to clear probity checks including National Criminal History Record Check and hold Tasmanian Working With Vulnerable People Registration.
Benefits
* Work for one of Australia's largest social purpose organisations
* Life Without Barriers offers ongoing training, support and career advancement opportunities
* Flexible working hours, including work from home possibilities
* Tool of trade vehicle available for personal use & fuel card
* Up to $15,900 annual salary sacrifice and $2600 annual meal & entertainment card
About the Organisation
* Every day, Life Without Barriers provides support and care to children and young people, as we work collaboratively with families, carers, and communities, to ensure they have the environment they deserve to grow. With a focus on ensuring safety and respect, this is an opportunity to make a positive and meaningful difference in these young lives and help pave a brighter future.
* Life Without Barriers is a leading social purpose, not for profit organisation of 8,000 employees working in more than 500 communities across Australia. We support children, young people and families, people with disability, older people and people with mental illness. We work with people who are homeless and refugees and asylum seekers.
We want to employ people who reflect the diversity of our clients to ensure we can support each client's individual needs and wants. We encourage people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background and people with disability to apply.