Family Preservation Team Leader

• Fulltime Ongoing
• SCHADS Award 7
• Sunshine, VIC

About us
We are proud to be part of the merged care organisation that will be known nationally as BaptistCare. As a for purpose, Christian care organisation, we are committed to providing exceptional support and services across Australia.  Together BaptistCare (NSW, ACT, WA) and Baptist Care SA we employ over 12,000 dedicated employees and support over 38,000 customers to help people live well with dignity and purpose. From older Australians and their families to people facing significant disadvantage, our passion and our priority are the customers we serve. We strive to deliver care as it should be – with people right at the centre. 

About the Role:

The Family Preservation Team Leader is responsible for managing the Family Preservation and Reunification Response Program (The Response) and the Parenting Assessment and Skill Development Service (PASDS). The Response and PASDS programs are both funded by the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) and are innovative, evidence-based programs focussed on providing children and families with the right support, where and when they need it and with the right team of people.

The key purpose of this position is to ensure effective delivery of high-quality services to families referred, utilising leadership and management of human, financial and material resources. The position has line management responsibility, including of staff of these two programs, and reports to the Children and Family Services Manager. The position ensures that services are delivered within the relevant guidelines, budget, and reporting requirements of DFFH.

About You:

You are passionate about continuing to grow your career in the Family and Community Services space. Solutions focused and up for making a difference, you align your approach to strategy to achieve organisational and divisional goals.

Essential skills:

• Tertiary Qualifications in Social Work, Psychology, or other relevant Human Services qualification and/or experience
• Previous experience in Child and Family Services, not for profit, or community services sector at a leadership level.
• Demonstrated ability to use a range of active engagement strategies with vulnerable and at-risk children, young people, and their families.
• Advanced experience in conducting risk and needs assessments, particularly in the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
• Demonstrated evidence-based family assessment skills in working with vulnerable children and families with complex issues.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to promote a reflective, learning, and supportive workplace culture in complex environments
• Confident communication skills, in written and verbal English, highly impactful influencing, negotiation, persuasion and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to adjust to meet the changing situations and needs of the staff, carer and client group while maintain focus on delivery and follow-through
• Excellent skills in organisation and time management
• Sound stakeholder management and the ability to build and maintain strong, credible relationships with relevant stakeholders.
• Strong computer skills and use of full suite of Microsoft office. 

Knowledge:

• Demonstrated evidence-based knowledge and application of therapeutic models and theories to develop skill-based interventions that enable positive change.
• Demonstrated evidence-based informed knowledge and understanding of child development, trauma, family and child/risk assessment skills.
• Demonstrated evidence-based knowledge of infant development, attachment and mental health is desirable.
• Demonstrated evidence-based knowledge and application of therapeutic models and theories to develop skill-based interventions that enable positive change.
• Capacity to analyse complex issues, including the impact of violence and trauma, safety, and risk to provide therapeutic interventions to children, young people, and families
• Knowledge of and experience working within a funding environment.
• A demonstrated understanding of the complexity of the child protection, flexible funding interventions, out of home care and the family support systems and the issues involved in providing services to statutory clients.
• Ability to build strong relationships with community stakeholders (i.e., DFFH, other providers, judges, schools, etc.) to ensure cooperation among service providers.
• Demonstrated level of self-awareness and resilience and the ability to manage multiple demands and prioritise accordingly.

How to Apply:

Click 'Apply Now' to submit your application. 

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

• Applicants must have the right to work in Australia.
• The successful applicant will be required to undergo a National Criminal History check.
• Must have had or be willing to get two COVID vaccinations.
• Working with Children’s Check and other mentioned qualifications. 

Please direct questions to Catena DePasquale, Children and Family Services Manager, cdepasquale@baptcare.org.au using the subject line: Team Leader Family Preservation

At Baptcare, we value diversity in all forms and aim to co-create inclusive experiences and communities with our employees, volunteers, the people we work alongside and our partners. We are committed to diversity and inclusion across all we do and to building communities and workplaces where everyone belongs. 

Baptcare is dedicated to the safety, empowerment, and participation of all children. We have zero tolerance of child abuse and are committed to a thoughtful, protective environment that supports infants, children, and young people to feel safe and respected. 

Baptcare (VIC, TAS) is proud to be working towards uniting with BaptistCare (NSW, ACT, WA) and Baptist Care SA, to create a newly merged national care organisation committed to providing exceptional support and services across Australia. Together, we are building on a shared history of care and compassion, expanding our reach, and strengthening our mission to help people live well with dignity and purpose.