Dad's In Focus Practitioner

Overview

Family Life – Transforming Lives for Stronger Communities

- Work locally in the Bayside Area and make a difference within our Community.
- Enjoy flexible work options and a great team culture
- Full-time, ongoing opportunity
- Level 6 SCHADS Award $110.102.72FTE per annum + Generous Salary Packaging + Super.

Family Life is a recognised Employer of Choice. Work with us and be part of our supportive, people-focused culture.

The Opportunity

The Men’s Support Services Team at Family Life provides Specialist Family Violence responses, that utilise strength-based and trauma-capable approaches to support behavioural change in Adults Using Family Violence (AUFV). We have an exciting opportunity for an ongoing practitioner to join the team as the Dad’s in Focus Practitioner.

The Dad’s in Focus program provides tailored, therapeutic support to fathers to help address the impact of family violence and trauma on their children. The program focuses on improving their parenting skills and encourages them to take responsibility for their behaviours and adopt positive parenting strategies.

The service is delivered with face to face individual sessions at our Frankston and Sandringham sites. Service can be provided online if needed.

Key Responsibilities

- Deliver individual modulated counselling sessions to fathers, focusing on addressing the impact of family violence and trauma on their children and family relationships.
- Help fathers develop and strengthen their parenting skills, focusing on safe, responsible parenting practices that supports the emotional and psychological wellbeing of their children.
- Assist fathers in understanding the effects of their behaviour on their children and help them rebuild and strengthen bonds, even in cases where there is limited or supervised contact.
- Explore the power and control dynamics in family relationships and their influence on parenting.
- Use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, motivational interviewing, and other therapeutic approaches to support fathers in making positive, child-focused behavioural changes.
- Provide education and counselling on topics such as parenting styles, child development, and the impact of family violence on children.
- Help fathers manage the emotional challenges of co-parenting or separated parenting, working with them to adopt strategies that prioritise the safety and wellbeing of their children.
- Offer counselling sessions both face-to-face and through remote delivery methods (telephone, video-based) to meet the individual needs of fathers in the program.
- Provide flexible support trailored to the father’s circumstances, taking into account Intervention Orders, ongoing family law court, child protection, or Magistrates’ court involvement.
- Liaise with Family Safety Advocates, Case Managers, and other practitioners to ensure a holistic approach to supporting fathers.
- Although this role does not manage direct referrals, work closely with case management teams to provide recommendations for additional services (e.g. family dispute resolution, mental health support, children’s contact services).
- Conduct risk assessments in line with the MARAM framework, focusing on the father’s behaviour and its impact on the safety and wellbeing of children.
- Support fathers in developing safety plans that address potential risks to themselves, their children, and other family members.
- Maintain accurate, professional documentation of all counselling sessions and interventions in accordance with program and legislative requirements.
- Contribute to the evaluation and reporting on client progress and program outcomes.

Our Ideal Candidate

Growth Mindset – You pride yourself for your commitment to resilience and continuous improvement. You see growth opportunities as opposed to failures, and you are always on the lookout for an improved workflow or process. You think creatively, value input and feedback from peers, and adapt to changing or unforeseen circumstances.

Curiosity – You naturally seek out learning opportunities and further information without being prompted to by your manager. You clarify the ‘Why’ and like to investigate and explore further information.

Proactivity – You are a positive influence on your colleagues, you opt-in to support organisational projects, and always lend a hand to support others.

Who We Are

At Family Life, we believe every child deserves to thrive in a safe and healthy family environment. Family Life is a specialist family services provider that has worked with children, families and communities for more than 50 years. Our vision is to work with clients and partners to create capable communities, strong families and thriving children.

We are known for our innovation and whole-of-community collective impact approach. Our teams are committed to transforming the lives of our clients and communities to build resilience and healthy relationships. We are proudly purpose-driven, independent and not for profit. We support our community through our specialist family services, community strengthening programs, a network of op shops, a vibrant engaged volunteer community and passionate skilled staff.

Working at Family Life is more than just a job. It’s the feeling of knowing that your work is contributing to making the community in which you live a better place and working with others who feel the same way.

Additionally, you will have access to:

- Flexible work options and a great team culture
- Salary packaging (receive up to an extra $18,500 in tax-free pay per year)
- Additional Paid Leave for End of Year Closedown
- Purchased Annual Leave Scheme
- Rostered Day Off Scheme for Eligible Employees
- Employee Assistance Program, a free and confidential counselling service for employees

Please submit your confidential application including a CV and cover letter addressing the key selection criteria via our Application Portal.

We will be reviewing applications as they are received, therefore this role may close sooner if we find the right candidate. Please apply now to ensure you do not miss out

For further information regarding the position please contact Vivian, Team Leader Men’s Support Services on (03) 8599 5433.

Our Commitment

Belong, Learn and Grow With Us as We Support Families and Build Stronger Communities

Our Employee Value Proposition (EVP) represents the unique benefits, experiences and opportunities that define what it means to work at Family Life. It reflects our commitment to fostering an environment where every team member feels valued, engaged and inspired to thrive.

All offers of employment are subject to the Family Life Safety Screening process, including a Working with Children Check and Police Records Check. Any person issued with a negative notice on their Working with Children Check will not be eligible for employment with Family Life.

Family Life values diversity and welcomes applicants who meet the position criteria, irrespective of race and ethnicity, colour, age, gender, gender identity, disability, religion and sexual orientation.

Family Life is a trauma informed organisation and recognises the unique skills, contributions and insights that come from lived experience.

Family Life is a child safe organisation. We value, respect and listen to children and young people. We are committed to the safety of all children and young people. Family Life supports children to meet their potential and thrive. We do not tolerate neglect, mistreatment or abuse of any kind.

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