Family Services Practitioner

Windermere Child and Family Services; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 105,000 - 110,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Ways of Working

6 Weeks Paid Parental Leave

Staff discount program

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Windermere Child and Family Services seeks a Family Services Practitioner to provide outreach and support to families across Casey, Cardinia and Greater Dandenong. The role operates within an integrated, evidence-based approach to building capacity with parents and creating safe, stable environments for children and young people.

This position offers a hybrid work model with 0.8 FTE or more and a salary range of AU$105,000 to AU$110,000, plus salary packaging.

Qualifications

• Bachelor in Social Work, Social Welfare, Psychology, Early Childhood Specialist and/or related behavioral sciences with relevant experience.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience working as a practitioner within the community sector.
• Ability to conduct comprehensive safety and wellbeing assessments and a commitment to child protection standards.
• Experience facilitating coaching practices, group work, and strengths-based work with vulnerable children, young people and families.
• Knowledge of evidence-based practice/models is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide outreach and support to families in Casey, Cardinia and Greater Dandenong.
• Work within an integrated, family-centered model to build capacity with parents and create safe environments for children and young people.

Skills

Safety assessments

Communication skills

Time management

Cultural responsiveness

Child protection knowledge

Education

Bachelor in Social Work

Early Childhood Specialist degree

Relevant behavioral sciences degree

Tools

MARAMIS knowledge

Job description

Please note - This is an active recruitment campaign and applications are being reviewed and shortlisted for interview as they are received. This means that the advertisement may be withdrawn prior to the end date.

Who is Windermere?

Windermere improves lives by working closely with individuals and families to find solutions for complex situations.

Since 1992 we have operated across Victoria and each year we assist over 20,000 people to live the lives they dream of. We provide support and guidance in the areas of family and parenting, homelessness, disability services, early childhood intervention and education, community strengthening and victims of crime, assault and trauma. Read more about our services here - https://www.windermere.org.au/services/

Job Description

What are the specifics of the role?

As a Family Services Practitioner, you will provide outreach and support to families living within the Casey, Cardinia and Greater Dandenong areas.

Our model is an integrated and evidence-based/informed approach to supporting and problem solving with families. Capacity building with parents and walk alongside them to create and foster a safe and stable environment for their children and young people.

The team will work as a cohesive whole and report directly to a Team Leader within the Integrated Family Services team at Windermere.

Due to additional funding we currently have multiple roles available including Permanent ongoing and Fixed Term Contracts, minimum 0.8 FTE. This position is a hybrid model of working remotely (providing daily outreach) and within one of our offices based in the South East of Victoria (Narre Warren or Pakenham).

The salary will range from $105k to $110k. As Windermere is a not-for-profit organisation, employees are able to claim everyday living expenses up to $15,900 against their annual Pre-Tax Salary. Use the salary packaging calculator available here - Salary Packaging Calculator | Accesspay - (https://calculator.accesspay.com.au/salary-packaging-calculator)

Why work for Windermere?

We are an organisation with a big heart; we care about our people and strive for continuous improvement; we are committed to a culture of individualised flexibility and support.

In our May 2026 employee survey - 84.4% of our employees would recommend Windermere as a place to work and 87.7% felt we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, view the results here - https://link.windermere.org.au/Pulse-Survey-May-2026

Staff Benefits and Entitlements

• Flexible Ways of Working – a combination of office, home and outreach
• Above Award Personal Leave and 17.5% annual leave loading
• Gifted days off (between Christmas and New Year)
• Annual Wellbeing Leave Day - no reason needed, it's just for you!
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural and Ceremonial Leave
• Cultural and Ceremonial Leave (for all employees)
• Public Holiday Substitution - e.g. work Australia Day or Good Friday and take leave on another day.
• Flexible Leave Scheme (50/52, 51/52) - Purchase 1-2 weeks additional leave
• Structured performance and 1-on-1 development check-ins
• Secondment and career growth opportunities
• Staff discount program for everyday items e.g. groceries, movie tickets, health insurance and more
• Reward & Recognition Program - become a Windermere All Star!
• End of Year Awards Celebration - different theme each year
• Opportunities for professional development
• Rostered Days Off or 9 Day Fortnight (subject to approval)
• 6 Weeks Paid Parental Leave, in addition to Government Funded Parental Leave Pay (PLP)
• High quality IT and access to fleet cars

If this sounds like the role for you, refer to Key Selection Criteria below.

Desired Skills and Experience

Key Selection Criteria

• Bachelor in Social Work, Social Welfare, Psychology, Early Childhood Specialist and/or related behavioral sciences with relevant experience.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience working as a practitioner within the community sector.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct comprehensive safety and wellbeing assessments and a commitment to work within the Best Interests Principals and Child Safe Standards as outlined within the Children, Youth and Family Act 2005 and relevant legislation/s, with a good understanding of the Victorian Child Protection System.
• Experience facilitating coaching practices, group work, and strengths-based work to vulnerable children, young people and families, utilizing a child focused family centered approach and delivering a range of interventions to improve outcomes.
• Experience in using evidence-based practice/models is desirable.
• Knowledge and experience in using the Multi- Agency Risk Assessment and Management Framework and Information Schemes (MARAMIS).
• Sound understanding of the social context of child development, abuse, neglect and trauma.
• Sound problem solving skills and time management abilities.
• Strong communication skills and professionalism
• Willingness to promote and support practices that are inclusive, culturally responsive, safe and accessible.
• Current Victorian Drivers’ Licence free from conditions.
• Willingness to undertake relevant pre-employment screening and checks - including, Police Check, Pre-Employment Medical and Working with Children's (Employee) check.
• Right to Work in Australia e.g. Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or Visa holder with full working rights.

You belong at Windermere

At Windermere, we believe that diverse teams build stronger communities. We want every single person who works with us to feel genuinely safe, valued, and celebrated for exactly who they are - regardless of their background, identity or identity expression.

For us, inclusion isn’t a checklist, it is the heartbeat of our culture. We are deeply committed to walking alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through our Reconciliation Action Plan, and we actively nurture a safe, affirming workplace for our LGBTIQA+, CALD, and disability communities. We welcome unique perspectives and encourage people with varied work and life experiences to apply.

Don't meet the key selection criteria but interested in future roles? Visit our website to sign up to our mailing list and stay up to date with our current vacancies.