supported playgroup

Fixed Term Part Time – hours per fortnight

Available from now to 31st March 2026

Supported Playgroups run Tuesday and Thursday each week of the School Term. In Home Care is planned outside of the groups and can be attended on other days of the week. The hours are negotiable depending on classification of the successful candidate. In Home Care referred families can be in any area of the Glenelg Shire, a pool car will be made available to visit with these families.

Supported Playgroup is based on the Smalltalk Framework. If you have not attended Smalltalk training, it will be expected of the successful candidate to attend this training in Melbourne, there are five days in total, one day of introduction online and two consecutive days at a time one-month apart which will be in person training. The next training period will be approximately April 2026. Until the training days the successful candidate will be mentored by our experienced SPG and In Home Care Facilitator. The training manual is available to guide your practice, and you will be provided access to the Smalltalk portal for continued support amongst your peers. Throughout the year there are opportunities to be involved in Community of Practice days both online and in person and to attend the annual conference next due in March 2026. For more information on Smalltalk please see:

About you:

• Minimum Diploma level required, Childhood Education, Social Work, Community Services, Registered Nurse, Maternal and Health Nurse
• Registered Nurse with Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency, and holds a current registration in Nurse and Midwifery
• Demonstrated knowledge and/or understanding in early childhood learning and development stages of the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, including the Practice Principles and Learning and Development Outcomes
• Provide developmentally appropriate play experiences that promote learning

Please click here to view Position Description.

For further details contact Maternal and Child Health to speak without SPG facilitator.

About us:

Portland District Health (PDH) provides an integrated health service for the community. The hospital was established in 1856 on the current site and now provides a comprehensive range of services that include:

• Hospital based Medical and Surgical services, Medical Imaging (Radiology), Pharmacy and Pathology
• A 24/7 Urgent Care Centre for emergency treatment
• Residential aged care for 30 residents at Harbourside Lodge
• An extensive range of primary and community services for the local community

PDH delivers services from a single campus, employs around 470 staff with an FTE of approximately 290, and has an active volunteer workforce. The People and Culture Unit sits within the Corporate Services Directorate, with other Units including Finance, Building Services, Food Services, Environmental Services, Executive Support, Administration and Health Information.

Additional Benefits:

• Salary Packaging
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
• Social Club
• Free parking
• GMHBA health insurance corporate rate
• Flexible working conditions
• Employee Assistance program
• Wellbeing Initiatives

The Region – Glenelg Shire:

Appreciate the beautiful surroundings of the Glenelg Shire, trek the Great South West Walk, Bridgewater Bay's rugged coastline, or explore Budj Bim (a World Heritage site) and Mount Richmond National Park.

Affordable coastal, rural and low density urban housing, a choice or private and public primary and secondary school makes Portland an ideal place to work, live and raise a family. To find out more about Portland visit the Glenelg Shire and I Am Portland websites.

How to apply:

Applications are through PDH website and must include:

• A letter which tells us who you are and why you should be our next team member. Look at the selection criteria in the position description for some ideas.
• A resume outlining your education, experience and work related achievements. Confirmation your employment and experience have set you up with skills needed to be successful in this role.
• Details of at least two professional referees. We will be asking them questions about you as an employee, they need to be able to provide feedback on your performance.

Applications from employment agencies may be submitted, however, PDH will not accept liability for the agency costs and fees.

The successful applicant will be required to be eligible for and undergo the following:

• Police Record Check
• Current Victorian Working with Children's' check
• Right to work in Australia
• Current Immunisation status. This role must meet the requirements of the Portland District Health Immunisation Policy.

Applications close: Thursday 16th October 2025 at 12.00pm

Portland District Health encourage and welcome applications from First Nation People, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and mature age people.