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. 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. The organization emphasizes the importance of a child-centered approach and aims to make a significant impact in the lives of families and young children through various programs and support services.

Job Overview:
The Child and Family Specialist position is a part-time role (0.8 FTE, Monday-Thursday, 7.6 hours per day) based in Brisbane, with a maximum term through to June 2027, with potential for extension. The role involves working closely with parents, caregivers, and children to facilitate a smooth transition into early learning. The Play2Learn program is designed to help families and young children learn to play, socialize, and establish routines. The specialist will be a key member of the Play2Learn team, reporting to the Team Leader, and will be responsible for delivering supported playgroups, outreach parent coaching, and online parent education. The position requires a proactive and creative approach to family support, focusing on trauma-informed, strengths-based, and culturally sensitive practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Child and Family Specialist include: delivering supported playgroups in the local community; providing outreach parent coaching and online education; conducting 1:1 outreach services, including in-home visits; identifying additional assistance and external services needed by families; promoting positive and culturally respectful parenting approaches; ensuring children are developmentally on track; equipping families with the skills and tools necessary for effective parenting; and collaborating with other professionals to enhance service delivery.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must demonstrate skills, knowledge, and experience in group facilitation and engagement, particularly with at-risk families and children under 4 years of age. They should have experience in 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.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a degree or diploma in a relevant field such as Psychology, Early Childhood Education, Social Work, Human Services, or Social Sciences. Candidates with significant equivalent experience in these areas may also be considered. This educational foundation is essential for understanding child development, family dynamics, and effective intervention strategies.

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 at-risk families and children, particularly those under the age of four. Experience in delivering in-home support and interventions is crucial, as well as familiarity with best practices in parenting strategies and behavior management techniques.

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

Additional Notes:
This is a part-time position (0.8 FTE) with a maximum term through to June 2027, with the possibility of extension. The role offers a generous award rate salary (Level 4.1 – currently $46.70 per hour) plus superannuation and full salary packaging benefits. Employees are entitled to extra leave for various purposes to ensure optimal performance. The organization provides supportive management, professional supervision training, and access to a confidential Employee Wellbeing Program. The work environment is friendly and flexible, with opportunities for internal deployment and career progression within one of Australia’s largest non-profits. The organization encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates and emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its recruitment process.