Community Connector

**About Us**:
At Anglicare Victoria our focus is on transforming the futures of children and young people, families and adults. Our work is based on three guiding pillars, Prevent, Protect, Empower. We offer a comprehensive network of services and seek to ensure the provision of high quality services that will bring about significant improvements in the life experience of the young people, children and families/caregivers with whom we work.

**The Program**:
Anglicare Victoria (AV) offers flexible and tailored support services as part of the Family Preservation & Reconciliation (FPR) Response, a Department of Families, Fairness & Housing (DFFH) state-wide initiative. FPR supports children and their families in creating a positive and safe environment within the family home, focusing on families remaining together and where children in care can return to reside with their family. The services within the FPR use various approaches including early intervention and assistance strategies, targeted and specialist support and continuing care pathways. AV provides FPR through short-term intensive support services and long-term transitional support services, based on the needs of the children and their families.

In partnership with the Queen Elizabeth Centre (QEC), AV is delivering the Community Connector program. Community Connectors will work in a multi-disciplinary team alongside FPR Practitioners to proactively link FPR families into an enduring network of universal, community and informal supports.

**Your role**:

- Actively and flexibly support FPR families to link into universal, community and informal supports, including some weekend and afterhours work where appropriate
- Mapping existing local networks and resources and maintaining a local directory of supports
- Building and maintaining strong and effective relationships with local community and services, including building capacity of local community and services
- Work collaboratively with FPR Practitioners to provide secondary consultation, identify children and families requiring additional support, and identify risks and support families to implement safety plans
- Develop and maintain a professional and respectful working relationship with all FPR service providers in the Inner Gippsland alliance partnership
- Maintain up to date records

**About you**:

- Demonstrated experience supporting families presenting with high complex needs, including culturally sensitive practices when working with marginalised, minority and difficult to engage families in their homes and communities
- Excellent experience in conducting risk and needs assessments and developing and implementing action plans to achieve desired outcomes.
- Knowledge of service and community supports available to assist families.
- Excellent organisational and time management skills, and ability to be self-directed.
- Highly developed communications skills and an ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders

**Qualifications**

A relevant tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Counselling, and/or related behavioural sciences at degree level with relevant experience; or diploma level with substantial experience

**Ready to take the next step**:
Applications close: Sunday October 13th

For further enquiries contact Laura Meikle on 5135 9581
- Anglicare Victoria acknowledges Aboriginal people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we operate. We commit to working respectfully to honour their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this country._
- Diversity and inclusivity are important to Anglicare Victoria and we are committed to ensuring our workplace and services reflect this. Everyone is welcome at Anglicare Victoria, regardless of age, ethnicity, cultural background, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation and physical ability._