Family Preservation and Reunification Response Practitioner

About the Opportunity

The Victorian Family Preservation and Reunification Response (the Response) is funded by the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH). The Response is implemented by MCM in Western Metro and North/East Metro areas of Melbourne. Teams are placed within the Family Services area in the Homelessness and Family Services Portfolio. Teams intensively support families where children are subject to an unborn report or Child Protection Intervention that are birth to 5-years of age.

The Response:

• Is an innovative approach to delivering relational, evidence-informed and coordinated support to vulnerable children and families through a strengthened partnership with Child Protection;

• Provides responsive, intensive and sustainable support to children and families where children are at imminent risk of entry to care or where safe reunification is appropriate.

The Response Practitioner will deliver rapid, culturally safe, flexible and intensive services to children and families using a case management and care team approach. This includes the provision of therapeutic and trauma-informed supports that engage the voice and choice, cultural identity and lived expertise of children and their families and carers. Response Practitioners will also work within a comprehensive evidence-based and monitoring and evaluation framework.

About you

We are looking for someone who can:

• rapidly engage families to provide intensive, therapeutic, trauma and evidence informed support that is centred around creating wellbeing and safety for the child, building parental/caregiver capacity and improving family functioning

• undertake child and family risk assessments using evidence-based tools such as the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale, with a focus on strengths, needs and risks

• develop, implement and review child and family action plans that build on child and family assessments and are tailored to the needs of participating families. Plans are to be co-developed with children (as appropriate), families and carers, care team members and other relevant professionals

• provide families with practical and emotional support, coaching and skill building and connections to social and economic resources

• work closely and collaboratively with Child Protection Practitioners and coordinate shared visits with the child and family

• refer, develop and maintain effective partnerships/care teams with a wide breadth of services including specialist and mainstream services in child, youth, family, health, employment and training and disability

Benefits of working with MCM include:

• Diverse and inclusive organisation
• Attractive Salary Packaging benefits
• Supportive learning and development environment
• Culture of continuous improvement

Essential:

• A bachelor qualification in social work, youth work, early childhood development, psychology, or related tertiary qualification

• Extensive experience in family services; providing active and assertive engagement in casework, risk and needs assessment, therapeutic interventions and risk management

• Strong communication skills including effective interpersonal, conflict negotiation and resolution skills

• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and in a team environment

Screening Criteria:

• National Police check
• Working with Children check
• Valid Victorian Drivers license
• Right to Work in Australia

Applications for this role will close on 17 September 2025 /or Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early.  Please include your current resume and cover letter.
Please review the position description to understand more about the role and responsibilities.  If you have any needs throughout the recruitment process that have not already been catered for, we encourage you to contact recruitment@mcm.org.au to let us know how we can better support you to apply.

About MCM

MCM is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to safety. MCM embraces differences because we know that diversity and inclusion help us to attract, recruit, engage and retain talented people. 
We are a leading not-for profit-for-purpose organisation that offer a broad range of services in Disability, Homelessness, Palliative Care and Education.

Our commitment to Safety

MCM is committed to the safety of its clients and employees, taking a zero-tolerance approach to violence within the workplace and abuse, including child abuse and abuse of people with disability. All employees are required to comply with the Child Safe Standards.

Our commitment to Diversity, Inclusion & Equity of Access

At MCM we embrace our differences because we know that diversity helps us to innovate and make the biggest impact possible. Our DEI Strategy supports and drives an inclusive workplace culture. We embrace the learning opportunities that come with authentic commitment to equity of access for all. We particularly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply.