Kinship First Supports Practitioner

Full-time – 12-month contract

Sunshine, VIC

• Not-for-profit salary packaging option
• Supportive team environment and flexible work environment
• Baptcare encourages people from diverse backgrounds to apply including:
• People with disability, reasonable workplace adjustments available.  
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
• People from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse back grounds.

About the Organisation:

Baptcare is a purpose driven and faith-based organisation working across Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia, Baptcare is focused on delivering the best care to people of all ages, cultures, beliefs and circumstances. Baptcare has delivered positive outcomes for older people and supporting children, families, and people with disability, financially disadvantaged people and people seeking asylum. We as an organisation have helped up to 13,000 people in our community combining best practise with a social heart.

About the Role:

The Kinship First Supports Practitioner role at Baptcare involves working closely with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) Child Protection to support the kinship care model. This model focuses on identifying kinship networks early, promoting placement quality and stability, building community connections, and working alongside children and young people in kinship care placements.

The key responsibilities include conducting comprehensive assessments within kinship/kith placements identified by DFFH Child Protection, as well as voluntary kinship placements across the Brimbank and Melton local government areas. The practitioner provides outreach and in-home support to children, young people, and kinship carers who face complex issues such as substance abuse, family violence, mental health challenges, and cycles of disadvantage and poverty resulting in neglect and cumulative harm.

The intervention involves early comprehensive assessments, brokerage, and access to family service hours ranging from 10 to 110 hours. The practitioner plays a crucial role in supporting and empowering vulnerable children and families within the kinship care system, addressing their unique needs and promoting their overall well-being.

Key Selection Criteria:

• Demonstrated ability to identify, assess and prioritise risks and needs of clients in a holistic approach to practice
• Current demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Child, Youth and Family Services Act, the Looking after Children Framework, Best Interest Planning Principles, Trauma and Attachment Frameworks and demonstrated knowledge of the application of permanency planning principles
• Demonstrated evidence informed knowledge and understanding of child development, trauma, family and child/risk assessment skills
• Previous knowledge and experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team
• Proven engagement skills with complex families and at-risk children and young people
• Ability to be self-directed and work autonomously and demonstrate excellent organisational and time management skills
• Highly developed communication skills, in written and verbal English
• Strong negotiation, persuasion and problem-solving skills
• Ability to adjust to meet the changing situations of the client group while maintaining focus on delivery and follow-through
• Sound stakeholder management and the ability to build and maintain strong, credible relationships with relevant stakeholders
• Strong computer skills and use of the full suite of Microsoft office programs
• 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
• Demonstrated level of self-awareness and resilience and the ability to manage multiple demands and prioritise accordingly
• Current working knowledge of the Child Protection system, legislation and frameworks in addition to practice considerations for Out of Home Care Services
• Comprehensive knowledge of the legislative and political context, with ability to research and seek information from stakeholders to support and inform assessment of risk and service efficacy
• Alignment and commitment to Baptcare’s Mission, Vision and Values

About You:

To be successful in this role, you will possess:

• A tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology, or a related field, along with relevant experience working with vulnerable children and families.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills are essential, as you will be interacting with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• A genuine commitment to the principles of child safety and a valid Working with Children Check are mandatory requirements.

How to Apply:

Please click on 'Apply Now' button below to apply for this position and view the role statement

All applications must apply directly via the job advertisement and should include a cover letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria as per the Position Description.  

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Applications that do not address the selection criteria will not be considered.

For any further enquiries, reach out to Eman on eelhessny@baptcare.org.au

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.