About the Role

Meli is excited to advertise for the role of Family and Community Engagement Worker. This position is based in Geelong and is full-time, ongoing and reports to the Coordinator – Early Engagement.

The Connect Up Program offers services to families in high needs areas of the City of Greater Geelong and has a primary focus on children aged 0-12 years. This place-based model is designed to engage with a range of universal settings in the community including kindergartens, schools, community centres and child and community hubs providing an integration of services and seamless transitions for families.

The program aims to build stronger relationships between parents/carers and their children by recognising the fundamental role parents/carers play towards the wellbeing of their children. The Program facilitates meaningful opportunities to increase parent/carer involvement in their child’s early years and universal services staff and builds capacity for services to engage collaboratively to provide an integrated and responsive service focused on building strong, sustainable, and connected children, families, and communities.

The program consists of a common worker/team across local communities that promotes the building of networks and relationships with families and local universal services.

The program is aligned to the DFFH Roadmap to Reform agenda, integrating services within universal service platforms to support vulnerable families from high-risk communities in Geelong, building resilience, social networks, and opportunity for families.

Key approaches of the Connect Up Program role include:

• Co-location of Connect Up Worker across the identified Community Platforms within high needs areas of the City of Greater Geelong.
• Focusing on early intervention and strength-based practice to provide targeted early intervention and prevention responses to individual families with children aged 0 – 12.
• Utilising a range of community development approaches and with a focus on group work, to enhance parent participation within universal services, including kindergartens, schools, community centres and child and family service hubs.
• Secondary consultation providing support for families and education staff/other professionals.
• Support improved communication within universal services for families.
• Strengthening referral pathways for families to health and welfare services.
• An integration of early help services within universal services providing seamless transition for families to networks of support.
• Delivery of facilitated playgroups.
• Building relationships within the community.

Vacancy Details

• Full-time, ongoing
• $94,077 p/a + super + salary packaging

What We Offer

• Flexible working options
• Meli is a not-for-profit organisation, so you can salary package up to $15,900 each Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) year for general living expenses
• A workplace passionate about diversity and inclusion with Employee Led inclusion working groups open to all employees
• Extensive learning & development opportunities and pathways for career progression
• Employee Assistance Program – independent confidential counselling service
• A dynamic culture of dedicated, passionate and professional team members
• Ability to purchase up to 4 weeks additional leave
• Paid parental leave program, in addition to the government parental leave scheme

About You

To be successful in the role, you will have:

• A tertiary qualification in Early Years, Social Work, Psychology or other related Behavioural Sciences at degree or diploma level and a minimum of 12 months experience.
• Demonstrated experience in the development and facilitation of Community Development and/or Community Education activities such as peer-based support groups for parents, supported playgroups, community events, parenting group work.
• Demonstrated capacity to engage with children and parents and knowledge and experience in providing a range of family interventions including brief intervention, case work and group work.
• Ability to work as part of a team and demonstrated capacity to work with high degree of autonomy in a co-located universal setting with competing priorities and a changing work environment.

Application Process

• To apply, please click the ‘quick apply’ button on Seek, or head to our Meli Careers webpage: 
• https://bcyf-external.applynow.net.au/jobs/2301049 
• Successful applicants will be required to provide a current Working with Children Check and undergo a National Police Check prior to commencement.
• Meli reserves the right to interview and appoint before the closing date of this position, so please don’t delay in applying.

Contact Details

For a confidential discussion about the position please contact Yvonne McAuliffe, Coordinator – Early Engagement, on 0408 005 817.

Meli is committed to providing a child safe environment. We have zero tolerance of any abuse or maltreatment of children.

Meli values and celebrates diversity and are working to create a team of people who reflect the diverse community we support. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, LGBTQIA+, culturally diverse people, those living with a disability, and those looking to return to the workforce following a break in their career are encouraged to apply for our roles.

If we can assist you with any reasonable adjustments in order to submit your application for this role, please contact the Recruitment team via email at [email protected]

Applications close 5:00pm Thursday 12 October 2023

V.I.D 2301049