Kinship Care Practitioner

Full-time - Maximum term contract
Sunshine, VIC
Maximum term contract until end of June 2025
Competitive salary at SCHADS Award Level 5
About Us
At Baptcare, we care. Our Mission and Vision are lived through our WE CARE Values: for our residents, customers, clients, partners, and supporters; with the very young through to the very old, the vulnerable, with families through all of life’s stages and challenges.
Baptcare is a purpose driven organisation working across Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia. Focused on providing residential and community care for older people and support to children, families, and people with disability, financially disadvantaged people and people seeking asylum.
Our Values are Wellbeing, Ethics, Co-creating, Accountability, Respect and Effectiveness.
About the Role
The Kinship Care Practitioner works in partnership with Child Protection and other support services to deliver holistic case management to children and young people in kinship care. The program aims to support placement stability, with supports tailored to the needs of the placement, including the kinship carer, and family. Delivery of such case management requires effective trauma-informed support planning.
A key focus of the role is to undertake risk assessment and effective, trauma-informed support planning for a range of complex issues related to drug and alcohol, family violence, mental health, disadvantage, and poverty, resulting in chronic neglect and/or cumulative harm, in line with best practice approaches and the Looking After Children (LAC) framework. Delivery of the service occurs primarily through outreach to children, young people, and carers in their homes.
About You
**You will ideally bring the following**:
Tertiary Qualifications in Social Work, Psychology, or other relevant Human Services qualification and/or experience.
Knowledge and understanding of trauma, child development and family dynamics.
Comprehensive knowledge of the Child Protection system, legislation, and frameworks, in addition to practice considerations for Out of Home Care Services.
Knowledge of the legislative and political context, with ability to research and seek information from stakeholders to support and inform assessment of risk and service efficacy.
Demonstrated ability to identify, assess and prioritise risks and needs of clients in a holistic approach to practice.
Demonstrated ability to adapt to meet a changing environment and needs of carer and/or client group while maintaining focus on service delivery.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including negotiation and problem-solving.
For You
Baptcare is focused on living our values, not just talking about them. You’ll find the culture at Baptcare is one of genuine respect, support, and positive intention. We work hard to achieve results through change, continuous improvement, and ongoing focus on providing the best service delivery to our stakeholders.
Work with a supportive and dynamic team.
A competitive salary, plus access to the tax benefits of salary packaging and novated leasing.
Career and development opportunities.
Access to confidential counselling and support services.
Flexible working within a local community.
Be part of an organisation and a team that is driven to make a difference to the lives of our vulnerable community members.
Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.
Applicants must have the right to work in Australia.
The successful applicant will be required to undergo a National Criminal History check.
Must have a Working With Children Check.
Applications close on 7th November at 11:55PM
Baptcare is committed to building a respectful and inclusive workplace, appointing the best person for the role, and supporting diversity. We welcome applicants who may require adjustments.
Baptcare is dedicated to the safety, empowerment and participation of all children. We have zero tolerance of child abuse and are committed to a thoughtful, protective environment that supports infants, children and young people to feel safe and respected.