Kinship Practitioner

Practitioner Kinship Team VIC
Full-time -4 month contract
Sunshine, VIC
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, 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.
The Kinship Care program operates across Brimbank Melton LGAs of Victoria and is funded by Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH). The role reports directly to the Kinship Care Team Leader and/or Senior Kinship Practitioner, and indirectly to the Care and Support Services Manager.
Key Responsibilities
Provide evidence-based assessment and case management support to children, young people, carers and families in line with the Best Interests Case Practice Model.
Undertake responsibility to prepare and submit a range of high-quality written reports to internal and/or external stakeholders, such as the Court, as required within specific timeframes
Maintain a case load and service delivery, addressing areas of required service improvement to ensure full compliance with safety, legislative and regulatory guidelines
Maintain a high standard of record keeping in line with Baptcare’s legislative, regulatory, and contractual requirements
Engage with the day-to-day operations of the team, including caseload management, performance management, professional development, supervision, and reflective practice
Participate in regular professional development, maintaining awareness of sector focus and policies, notably Child Protection policy and practice
Maintain updated knowledge of, and work within, Baptcare and DFFH policies and procedures
Ensure service delivery aligns with Baptcare’s strategic initiatives
Take on additional duties as required to undertake the role
Key Selection Criteria
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
Tertiary Qualifications in Social Work, Psychology, or other relevant Human Services qualification and/or experience
Alignment and commitment to Baptcare’s Mission, Vision, and Values
Current Working with Children Check
Victorian Driver’s License
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 b