Caring Dads Program Practitioner

Looking to make a difference to child and family wellbeing

How would you like to contribute to strengthening father-child relationships through supporting effective and targeted intervention with fathers?

This is your opportunity to play a vital role in a newly created role within our Caring Dads program in WA

- Located in Perth WA, Ballajura

Why work with us?

With a proud history and a progressive mindset, Kids First is a leading provider of educational, family and support services for children and families in Melbourne. We are at the forefront of responding to community needs and strengthening families so that children can thrive. Our programs are evidence-based and built on more than 125 years of service.

The Caring Dads program is provided by Kids First. Caring Dads is an early intervention program developed in Canada by the University of Toronto and Changing Ways, for fathers who have physically abused, emotionally abused, or neglected their children, or exposed their children to family violence or who are deemed to be at high-risk for these behaviours. As a pilot and of the back of its Eastern state's success, Kids First Australia is bringing Caring Dads to the northern suburbs of Perth.

What will you be doing?

The Caring Dads practitioner role's primary purpose is to enhance men's motivation, promote child-centred fathering, address men's ability to engage in respectful, non-abusive co-parenting with children's mothers, recognise that children's experience of trauma will impact the rate of possible change, and work collaboratively with other service providers to ensure that children benefit.

In this role you'll be…

- Joint facilitation of the 17-week program

- Undertake assessments of men referred to the program and collaboration with services involved with the client to manage the risks associated with the participants.

- Undertake thorough and nuanced assessment for group readiness, engagement, safety and psychosocial support needs.

- Provide fathers who are not necessarily ready for group or need additional support outside of group with case management support.

- Undertake ongoing assessments and prepare final reports for program participants.

- Engage in Clinical Review sessions and National Communities of Practice.

- Participate in and contribute to Caring Dads evaluation and monitoring activities, ensuring development of practice tools, techniques.

- Participate in the co-design and trailing of new innovative versions of the model for specific client groups.

Thinking of applying? Here's what we're looking for:

- A tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Community Services, Counselling, Casework Practice, or a related field

- A minimum of 3 years' experience in client engagement and/or risk management with therapeutic Trauma informed practice context with people who use violence.

- Expertise in current family violence theories and practice frameworks.

- Knowledge of early childhood development, including trauma informed care and childhood attachment theory.

- Group Facilitation experience and sound knowledge of groupwork, theory and practice as it applies to family violence recovery and family violence intervention.

- Demonstrated capability to network and build productive relationships with others both inside and outside organisational boundaries.

- Ability to identify risk/safety issues and respond effectively in whole of family and strength-based manner.

Why read on? As a member of the Kids First team you'll:

At Kids First, we don't just talk about values—we live them. Our HEART values shape everything we do, including how we care for our people. Here's what you can look forward to:

- Flexible work options - including hybrid work and purchased leave to boost your annual leave.

- Extra paid leave - enjoy time off between Christmas and New Year, plus a dedicated wellbeing day.

- Wellbeing support - receive up to $100 through our I HEART ME initiative to invest in your health—on us

- Salary packaging benefits - access up to $15,900 pre-tax to increase your take-home pay, plus novated leasing.

- Career development - benefit from a professional development budget and ongoing support.

- Staff Wellbeing Program - access resources and initiatives that support your mental, emotional, and physical health.

Don't delay, apply now

To view a full position description or to apply, please visit the Kids First website at: https://kidsfirst.recruitmenthub.com.au/Vacancies & enter ref code: 6826826

For inquiries about the position connect with Daniel Pisani General Manager, Youth Services, South Australia and Western Australia dpisani@kidsfirstaustralia.org.au

Kids First is an Equal Opportunity employer that respects and values diversity and inclusion. Kids First welcomes everyone to apply, regardless of age, ethnicity, cultural background, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, and physical ability.

Kids First is a Child Safe Organisation, employment is conditional on satisfactory referee checks, a current Working with Children Check, National Criminal History check, proof of the right to work in Australia, evidence of COVID-19 Vaccination and a pre-employment medical (if applicable).

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