Family Group Conference Convenor

Uniting Limited; Ballarat; Hybrid; AUD 32,000 - 39,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

WFH up to 3 days/week

Salary packaging up to $15,900

Meal entertainment benefit $2,650

Annual leave purchase option

Parental leave up to 10 weeks

Staff discounts on childcare/Office 3

Job summary

Uniting is seeking a Family Group Conference Convenor in Ballarat for a part-time fixed-term role (0.6 EFT) until 30 June 2027. You will empower families and coordinate conferences with Child Protection and community partners, balancing in-person and online delivery.

The role requires strong facilitation, trauma-informed practice and knowledge of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005, contributing to safer, healthier outcomes for children and families.

Qualifications

• Facilitation, mediation and engagement skills are essential.
• Experience in child and family services or a related field.
• Knowledge of Family Group Conferencing principles and relevant acts.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate family-led conferences to promote safety and wellbeing.
• Coordinate conference preparation, facilitation and follow-up.
• Collaborate with Child Protection, Restoring Families practitioners and partners.

Skills

Facilitation

Engagement

Conflict resolution

Child and family services

Family Group Conferencing

Education

Social Work or Community Services qualification

Job description

• Lead family-led conferences that strengthen child safety and wellbeing
• Join an innovative early intervention program supporting vulnerable families
• SCHADS Level 6.1, $58.37 + super + salary packaging, max term FTE 0.6 till 30 June 2027

Your new role

As a Family Group Conference Convenor, you'll empower families to make informed decisions that support the safety, wellbeing and healthy development of children and young people. Working within the Restoring Families program, you'll facilitate a strengths-based process that places families at the centre of planning and decision making.

You'll work independently while collaborating closely with Child Protection, Restoring Families practitioners and community partners to coordinate and deliver Family Group Conferences across the region.

Your impact will include:

• Facilitating family-led conferences that promote safety, stability and connection.
• Ensuring children's voices are heard and reflected in family planning.
• Building family capacity, authority and support networks.
• Coordinating conference preparation, facilitation and follow-up activities.
• Supporting continuous improvement through evaluation, reporting and learning activities.

This is a part-time (0.6 EFT) fixed-term opportunity until 30 June 2027, based in Ballarat, with flexibility to work across both in-person and online settings.

About the Program

Restoring Families supports children, young people and families experiencing complex challenges and elevated risks to their safety, wellbeing and development. The program provides intensive, coordinated support designed to strengthen family outcomes and reduce progression into the statutory service system.

Family Group Conferencing is a key component of the program. It is a family-led, strengths-based process that brings families, kin and professionals together to identify solutions, develop practical plans and build sustainable support networks that are grounded in culture, relationships and lived experience.

Through this approach, families are empowered to make decisions that create safer, stronger futures for children and young people.

Benefits of working at Uniting

At Uniting, you'll enjoy:

• Working in a large values-led organisation with real community impact.
• A 10% discount for eligible employees on out-of-pocket childcare fees at Uniting learning services.
• A 30% discount on Office 365 subscriptions, and a 25% discount at our Uniting Op Shops.
• Flexibility to work from home up to 3 days per week, where operationally appropriate.
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging benefits that can be used for living expenses such as groceries, bills, clothing and streaming services.
• Save on dining out and drinks with a meal entertainment benefit of $2,650 annually.
• Increase your annual leave entitlements through our purchase leave program.
• Up to 10 weeks of paid parental leave for primary caregivers (4 for secondary).
• An extra 17.5% on top of your fortnightly pay when you take paid annual leave.
• Opt in or out of public holidays and be respected for your unique background.

Your skills and experience

We're looking for an experienced child and family services professional with strong facilitation skills and a passion for family-led practice.

You will bring:

• Qualification in Social Work, Community Services or a related discipline.
• Experience in child and family services, Child Protection or a related field.
• Strong facilitation, mediation, engagement and conflict resolution skills.
• Experience delivering culturally safe and trauma-informed practice.
• Knowledge of Family Group Conferencing principles and the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005.

About Uniting

We create real change in people’s lives by working in partnership with people, communities, governments and other agencies to reduce the impact of poverty, trauma and disadvantage.

We provide compassionate care for people facing tough times and personal challenges. We support children and young people to break the cycle of disadvantage. We help families keep safe, together and thriving.

For over 100 years we’ve been fighting inequality, opposing discrimination, and responding to the needs in our communities across Victoria and Tasmania.

Visit us: www.vt.uniting.org

We are an inclusive, values-led organisation and proudly welcome people of all identities, backgrounds and experiences. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ people, and people with lived and living experience relevant to our work.

We are committed to inclusive hiring practices. You are welcome to share your pronouns and let us know if you require any adjustments during the recruitment process. We are here to support you.

Uniting is a child safe organisation and is committed to the safety, wellbeing and empowerment of all children and young people. We embed child safety in everything we do. Employment with Uniting is subject to relevant pre-employment checks, including a National Police Check and Working with Children Check.