Child and Family Specialist – Play2Learn

Job Posting Organization:
54 reasons is Australia’s leading child rights organisation, part of the Save the Children Australia Group and a global movement dedicated to ensuring that children and young people have their rights met and thrive in all their diversity. The organization operates across every state and territory in Australia, providing quality services to children and their caregivers. With a workforce of approximately 600 employees, 54 reasons is committed to diversity and inclusion, embracing various backgrounds, talents, and perspectives to effectively support vulnerable client groups.

Job Overview:
The Child and Family Specialist position is a permanent part-time role (30.4 hours per week) based in the Latrobe City area, specifically in Moe, Victoria. The role is integral to the Play2Learn program, which focuses on helping families and young children learn to play, socialize, and establish routines. The specialist will work closely with parents, caregivers, and children to facilitate a smooth transition into early learning. The position requires a proactive and flexible approach, utilizing trauma-informed and culturally sensitive methods to support families. The successful candidate will deliver group-based programs, provide one-on-one outreach services, and promote positive parenting strategies, ensuring children are developmentally on track and families are equipped with effective parenting tools.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Child and Family Specialist include:

• Delivering group-based programs through supported playgroups and online parenting education.
• Providing one-on-one outreach services, including parent coaching through in-home visits.
• Identifying additional assistance and external services needed by families, and providing appropriate information, support, and referrals.
• Promoting positive and culturally respectful approaches to parenting and child and family wellbeing.
• Ensuring that children are developmentally on track and that families possess the skills and tools necessary for effective parenting.
• Engaging with at-risk families and children, primarily those under four years of age, to facilitate their development and wellbeing.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must demonstrate skills, knowledge, and experience in group facilitation and engagement, particularly with at-risk families and children. They should have experience in delivering in-home family support and interventions, along with knowledge of best practices in effective parenting strategies and behavior management techniques. A degree or diploma qualification in a relevant field such as Psychology, Early Childhood, Social Work, Human Services, or Social Sciences is required, or significant equivalent experience in the field.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a degree or diploma in relevant fields such as Psychology, Early Childhood Education, Social Work, Human Services, or Social Sciences. Alternatively, significant equivalent experience in these areas may be considered sufficient for the role.

Experience:
The position requires demonstrated experience in family support, early childhood development, and early intervention. Candidates should have a proven track record of working with families and children, particularly those who are at risk, and should be familiar with trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches to support.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is essential for effective communication with families and colleagues. Additional language skills may be beneficial, particularly in communities with diverse linguistic backgrounds.

Additional Notes:
This is a permanent part-time position, requiring 30.4 hours of work per week, distributed across Monday to Thursday. The role offers a generous award rate salary (Level 4.1 – currently $44.58 per hour) plus superannuation and full salary packaging benefits. Employees are entitled to extra leave options, professional supervision training, and access to a confidential Employee Wellbeing Program. The organization promotes a friendly and flexible work environment and provides opportunities for internal deployment and career progression within one of Australia’s largest non-profits. The application process is designed to be straightforward and accessible, with a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion.