Want to know why it’s an exciting time to join Windermere? Firstly, there is no other organisation quite like us. Why do you ask? We are an independent community service organisation working across the South East of Victoria to help those who need it most. Our unique range of services include; Family Health & Wellbeing, Childhood Development, Education & Support, Early Intervention Therapy Services, NDIS Support Coordination and Plan Management, Homelessness Support, Counselling Services, assistance to support victims of trauma, assault and violent crimes and Bushfire Recovery Support Services.

We have the following Family Services Practitioner positions available:

• 0.6 ongoing/substantive
• 0.6 contract until 30 June 2024
• 0.8 contract until 30 June 2024
• 0.8 contract until 30 June 2023

About the Role

As a Family Services Practitioner, you may be required to work in mainstream Integrated Family Services (see attached Position Description), or one or more of the specialty streams described below;

Family Preservation and Reunification Response (FPRR)

The Victorian Family Preservation and Reunification Response (FPRR, or the Response), has been funded by DFFH, and was co-designed with representatives from the child and family services sector.

The Response includes an initial intensive intervention phase, delivered through a mobile and integrated approach, followed by a sustained service support phase, aimed at preventing at-risk children entering or re-entering care. The Response will link to, align with, and build on (and not duplicate) existing child and family services within the broader service system, providing an enhanced continuum of care across the state.

The model is an integrated and evidence-based/informed approach to supporting and problem solving with families and preventing children and young people’s re/entry to out of home care. The team will work as a cohesive whole and report directly to the Windermere FPRR Practice Team Leader.

The FPRR Practitioner will provide outreach wraparound services to families where children’s ages range from unborn to adolescents.

To be successful in this role, you will have a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Child Development, Psychology (or related subject area), or a Diploma level relevant qualification with significant professional experience in a relevant field which supports an understanding of key child development issues relating to young parents and their families who have complex needs. Key to this will be an understanding of and demonstrated experience working with issues such as attachment, trauma, and intergenerational disadvantage.

Intensive Family Services (200 Hour Model)

The Intensive model of Family Services provides a longer and more sustained approach to engagement and continued work on goals with families. 

Integrated Family Services (IFS)

As a Family Services Practitioner working in mainstream IFS and all specialist areas (as per above), you will work with families utilising the Practitioner Coaching Framework (PCF).  The aim of the PCF is to build the capability and capacity of families through a coaching model, with the end goal of families being self-sufficient to work through and solve their own problems and issues.

Workplace culture – what staff are saying

Over 80% of our staff tell us that we have a happy workplace with a team dedicated to supporting our consumers and each other.

“Windermere’s values resonate with me and there is a strong sense of shared commitment to achieving our service goals across the team. The management team are great to work with, collaborate and considered about the best way to respond to the needs of the team and consumers as they arrive.”

“I love Windermere as a company and I am so proud to say I work for Windermere, which is never something I have had in the past – I feel like Windermere makes a difference in so many people’s lives, including my own.”

Why Windermere?

Windermere fosters a culture of flexibility, support and wellbeing. We have a wide range of workplace benefits including:

• Flexible work hours and ways of working
• Rostered days off
• Above Award Personal Leave and 17.5% annual leave loading
• Gifted days off (between Christmas and New Year)
• Employee Referral Program
• Study leave and opportunities for professional development
• Generous salary packaging

Windermere honours the ongoing cultural and spiritual connections, heritage, customs and beliefs of Aboriginal people, and pays respects to Elders past and present.

Once you hit the apply button, you will be able to view a full copy of the Position Description [link removed]