Child and Family Consultant

Position title:                       Child and Family Consultant

Team:                                    Trauma Informed Programs, Childhood Trauma Consultancy Service (TraCS)

Reports to:                           Program Manager, Childhood Trauma Consultancy Service (TraCS)

Job type:                              Full Time, Ongoing

Date:                                    December 2023

About the Alannah & Madeline Foundation

The Alannah & Madeline Foundation was set up in memory of Alannah and Madeline Mikac, aged six and three, who were tragically killed with their mother and 32 others at Port Arthur, Tasmania, on 28 April 1996. In memory of his daughters, Walter Mikac AM and a small group of volunteers set up the Foundation with the belief that all children should have a safe and happy childhood without being subjected to violence. The then Prime Minister launched the Foundation on 30 April 1997. 

The Foundation:

• identifies issues that adversely affect the wellbeing of children; we work to help them recover and protect them from bullying and violence

• works across the spectrum of prevention and care to deliver state-of-the-art, evidence-based programs and products

• works with the best minds to identify and reduce significant threats to children’s safety through innovation and partnerships

• speaks out on the need for systemic change to build a supportive and safe society.

The Foundation also supports Dolly’s Dream, educating and empowering families and communities to prevent the devastating effects of bullying.

Our organisation has the highest commitment to child safety, and our Child Safe - Policy outlines our safe practices for children. 

Our organisation values are embedded into every way in which we operate at the Foundation. Everyone has a responsibility to promote and demonstrate our values:  We act with courage, We are stronger together, We are curious, We believe accountability matters and We act with empathy, always.

Position in context

In an Australian first, $55.3 million in school readiness funding will be progressively rolled out across Victoria from 2019, amounting to a 10 per cent boost to total kindergarten funding by 2021. School readiness funding will help more children to start school developmentally on track. The funding will enable individual kindergartens to purchase specialist supports from a menu of services approved by the Department of Education. Included on this menu, kindergartens will be able to procure the services of TraCS to build their capacity to work with traumatized and vulnerable children, strengthening the impact of their existing programs.

The Child and Family Consultant will work closely with educators and other early childhood staff working with children aged 3-5 years in kindergartens and early childhood services.

Reporting to the Program Manager, the Child and Family Consultant will be part of the TraCS team.

Travel will be regularly required to deliver site-based support at each early childhood education setting. Attendance at the Alannah & Madeline Foundation - Head Office in South Melbourne, may be required for key events and activities across the year. We support our staff to work flexibly, both in location and hours, based on the premise that work will remain the focus of any arrangement. How and where you work is discussed with each staff member based on individual circumstances, role requirements and accountability for delivery of high-quality work.

Major job responsibilities

• Support teachers and early childhood educators to understand and work with children whose lives have been affected by trauma, promoting trauma informed relationships.
• Provide reflective practice and coaching for early childhood staff to enable them to embed trauma knowledge and theory and to reflect on their interactions with children and families
• Support teachers and early childhood educators to provide safe and supportive learning environments for children who have experienced trauma, enhancing their social and emotional readiness for school.
• Support strategies within the kindergarten which create connection and defuse conflict.
• Develop plans which support children in the development of pro-social skills including emotional and social regulation.
• Support teachers and early childhood educators to understand the impact of their own emotional regulation as vital to providing a safe and supportive learning environment
• Support referrals and links to relevant services to support children and families experiencing vulnerability
• Support Early Childhood Education and Care services to work through non-attendance barriers of enrolled children and support transition to school where required
• Foster collaborative relationships with key stakeholders, including kindergartens, schools, family services, allied health professionals, local government, the Department of Education, & Department of Health & Human Services.
• Maintain accurate and up to date client management and statistical records.
• Participate in regular supervision and team meetings.
• Ensure skills and knowledge of research and practice relating to children and violence, resilience and recovery are at cutting edge.
• Proactively contribute to program developments and improvements.
• Adherence to relevant Program Policies and Procedures, as well as with legislation relevant to working with children and families.
• Contribute positively to the Foundation’s culture through developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with colleagues.
• Contributing positively to the Foundation’s culture of We are stronger together through developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with colleagues.
• Other tasks as directed by the Program Manager, TraCS, Head of TraCS, CEO and Executive Team.

Knowledge, experience & requirements

• An appropriate tertiary qualification in social welfare such as Social Work or Psychology, with eligibility for membership of professional organisation (i.e. AASW or APS) or other qualifications suitable for practice in the child and family welfare field.
• At least five years’ experience in providing high quality, complex case management to children, youth and families in the context of violence or abuse and trauma
• Proven ability to work autonomously, use initiative and take responsibility appropriately.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the best practice models and theories relating to children, families, trauma and violence or abuse.
• Demonstrated experience in translating relevant and emerging knowledge and theory into practice.
• Demonstrated ability to work in collaboration with other disciplines to support positive client outcomes
• Capacity to work independently at an offsite location, but maintain important Foundation relationships
• Excellent organisational skills (time management, thoroughness, efficiency) and verbal/written communication skills.
• Proven ability in networking, service promotion and fostering collaborative relationships with relevant agencies.
• Hold a current drivers’ license and willingness and ability to use own vehicle (appropriate reimbursement of expenses provided).
• Working With Children Check and Police Check.