Child and Family Specialist – Play2Learn

Job Posting Organization:
54 reasons is Australia’s leading child rights organisation, established as part of the Save the Children Australia Group. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that children and young people have their rights met and thrive in all their diversity. With a workforce of approximately 600 employees, 54 reasons operates across every state and territory in Australia, providing quality services to children and their caregivers in various settings, including regions, remote areas, and capital cities. The organization emphasizes the importance of the child's voice and aims to make a significant impact through its programs and support services.

Job Overview:
The Child and Family Specialist position is a part-time, maximum term role based in Bowen, Queensland, where the successful candidate will be an integral member of the Play2Learn team. This program is designed to assist families and young children in learning to play, socialize, and establish routines. The role involves working closely with parents, caregivers, and children to facilitate a smooth transition into early learning. The position requires delivering group-based programs through supported playgroups and online parenting education, as well as providing one-on-one outreach services, including parent coaching through in-home visits. The specialist will identify additional assistance needs and provide appropriate information, support, and referrals, while promoting positive and culturally respectful parenting approaches. The role is crucial in ensuring that children are developmentally on track and that families possess the necessary skills and tools for effective parenting.

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 with families via in-home visits.
• Utilizing partnership, outcomes-based, strengths’ perspective, and client-centered approaches in service delivery.
• Identifying where additional assistance and external services are required 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 have the skills and tools to parent effectively.
• Collaborating with the Play2Learn team and reporting to the Team Leader.
• Engaging with at-risk families and children, primarily those aged under 4 years, to facilitate their development and wellbeing.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires demonstrated skills, knowledge, understanding, and experience in group facilitation and engagement, particularly with at-risk families and children. Candidates should have experience delivering in-home family support and interventions, as well as 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:
Candidates must possess a degree or diploma qualification in a relevant field such as Psychology, Early Childhood, Social Work, Human Services, or Social Sciences. Alternatively, significant equivalent experience in a related area may be considered acceptable. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively support families and children in the program.

Experience:
The role requires candidates to have a demonstrated level of experience in family support, early childhood development, and early intervention. Experience in group facilitation and engagement, particularly with at-risk families and children, is crucial. Additionally, candidates should have a proven track record of delivering in-home family support and interventions, showcasing their ability to work effectively with families in various contexts.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is essential for effective communication with families and colleagues. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered beneficial, particularly in diverse communities, as it can enhance the ability to connect with families from different cultural backgrounds.

Additional Notes:
This position is part-time and maximum term, with working hours from Monday to Thursday, totaling 7.6 hours per day, through to January 2027, with the potential for extension. 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 to ensure optimal performance and workplace wellness support, including access to a free, confidential Employee Wellbeing Program. The organization promotes a friendly and flexible work environment, with opportunities for internal deployment, secondment, and career progression within one of Australia’s largest non-profits. The organization strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates and is committed to diversity and inclusion in its recruitment process.