Senior Lead Practitioner Family Services

Uniting Vic.Tas; Pakenham Upper; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Meal entertainment entitlement

Purchase leave

Up to 10 weeks paid parental leave

Annual leave loading

Job summary

Uniting Vic.Tas is seeking a Social Worker to join the Family Services Restoring Families team in Pakenham. The role involves delivering in-home, family‑centred support and case management for families with significant needs, in collaboration with Child Protection, Corrections and Youth Justice.

The position is full‑time and permanent, based in Pakenham, VIC, with a closing date of 12 November 2026. You will lead a multi-disciplinary care team, apply evidence‑based models, and support safe

Qualifications

• Minimum tertiary qualifications in Social Work, Psychology, Welfare or a related discipline is essential
• Strong knowledge of Best Interests Case Practice Model and CYFA 2005
• Demonstrated experience working with families and children with significant, enduring needs and multiple challenges
• Strong risk assessment and decision‑making abilities
• Ability to balance multiple complex demands while maintaining high quality outcomes
• Experience working with evidence-based programs and fidelity to models

Responsibilities

• Using evidence-based frameworks to create sustainable change for families
• Leading a care team of multi-disciplinary support services to create safety for children
• Safely supporting reunification when children are in out-of-home care
• Provide mentoring, support and guidance to new practitioners in the Restoring Families team

Skills

Risk assessment

Decision making

Multitasking

Experience with families and children

Best Interests Case Practice Model

CYFA 2005 knowledge

Trauma-informed care

Education

Tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Welfare or related discipline

Job description

Job Details

• SCHADS Level 6 + Super + Salary packaging
• Increase fortnight take-home pay with access to $15,900 salary packaging benefits!
• Based at Pakenham
• Job ID: 534142
• Pakenham, VIC, 3810
• Child, Youth & Families
• Permanent Full Time
• Closing on: Nov 12 2026
• Full Time Ongoing

Your new role

The Family Services Restoring Families steam provides community-based support and case management for families with significant, enduring needs. It offers comprehensive, interdisciplinary in-home child and family support that are targeted and intensive.

This program work closely with Child Protection with referrals being received through Child Protection, Corrections, Youth Justice or a designated statewide coordinator (for 10-11-year-old children under the age of criminal responsibility engaging in high harm behaviour).

Your Impact Will Include

• Using evidence-based frameworks to create sustainable change for families.
• Leading a care team of multi-disciplinary support services to create safety for children.
• Safely supporting reunification when children are in out-of-home care.
• Provide mentoring, support and guidance to new practitioners in the Restoring Families team.

Benefits of working at Uniting

• Working in a large values-led organisation with real community impact.
• 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

You will meet the person specification in the position description, including having a Minimum tertiary qualifications in Social Work, Psychology, Welfare or a related discipline is essential

You Will Also Have

• Demonstrated experience working under evidence-based programs and ensure fidelity to evidence-based models. It is preferable that the candidate has knowledge of the current research the informs our work with families.
• Demonstrate strong risk assessment and decision-making abilities.
• Demonstrates the ability to balance multiple complex demands whilst maintaining high quality outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience working with families and children with significant, enduring needs and who face multiple, persistent and complex challenges
• Strong knowledge of Best Interests Case Practice Model and CYFA 2005.
• Advanced understanding of child development, trauma and attachment.
• Consistently manages administration tasks in a timely manner.

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.

We are proud to work alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities, and we strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants to apply. We are committed to creating a culturally safe, welcoming and supportive workplace.

Uniting is a child safe organisation and is committed in everyday practice to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children, at all times. As a ‘child safe’ organisation, employment with Uniting is subject to a satisfactory national (and international where relevant) police check and relevant Working with Children Check in your State prior to commencement of any paid or unpaid work and/or participation in any service or undertaking.

Through the recruitment process, we will ask you for personal information. Disclosure is optional, however, it can help us support you better. We invite you if you identify as Aboriginal, a person with disability, from a diverse background or LGBTQIA+. You will be given an opportunity in the application form to request additional support. We welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can support you.

Visit us: www.vt.uniting.org

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