Dad's In Focus Practitioner

Position

Dad's In Focus Practitioner

Team

Men's Support Services

Role Classification

SCHADS Level 6

Employment Type

Permanent, Full Time

Location

Frankston, Dandenong and Sandringham (Bunurong Land and Wurundjeri Land)

From time to time the incumbent may be requested to work from, or be based at, other Family Life sites.

Reports To

Team Leader, Men's Support Services

Effective Date

September 2025 

Overview of Program 

The Men's Support Services team provides specialist family violence services that utilise strength-based and trauma-informed approaches to support behavioural change in Adults Using Family Violence (AUFV). The service is designed to support AUFV to take responsibility for and stop their use of violence through individual interventions, group work and case management.

Position Objective

The Dad's In Focus (DiF) Practitioner provides tailored, therapeutic support to fathers engaged in the Dad's In Focus program, focusing on improving their parenting skills and relationships with their children. The program helps fathers address the impact of family violence and trauma on their children and encourages them to take responsibility for their behaviours, adopt positive parenting strategies, and manage their own emotional triggers. The Practitioner works to support fathers in developing a safe, supportive environment for their children, either during or after separation from the mother or caregiver.

Key Responsibilities

The key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Deliver individual 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 support the emotional and psychological well-being 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.
• Work with fathers to understand their own experiences of trauma and how these may influence their parenting choices.
• 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 well-being 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 tailored 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 well-being 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.
• Attend regular reflective practice groups, supervision sessions, and professional development opportunities to ensure continuous improvement in service delivery.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings and liaise with external stakeholders such as Child Protection, Corrections Victoria, and The Orange Door as necessary. 

Key Selection Criteria

• Bachelor Degree in Social Work, Counselling, Psychology, or a relevant field, with relevant experience in family violence, parenting interventions, and trauma-informed practice.
• Comprehensive understanding of the gendered nature of family violence and the ability to identify evidenced-based theories, approaches and practice frameworks that underpin family violence intervention and the impact of trauma on children.
• Demonstrated experience providing counselling or therapeutic interventions, particularly with fathers or parents involved in family violence and complex family dynamics.
• Experience working with fathers who have been subject to Intervention Orders or have been involved in court or child protection systems.
• Strong knowledge of parenting interventions, family dynamics, and child development, particularly in the context of violence and trauma.
• Skilled in CBT, narrative therapy, motivational interviewing, and other therapeutic approaches that support positive behavioural change.
• Ability to apply trauma-informed, Safe and Together model, and strength-based approaches to support fathers in building awareness of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, and making positive choices in their parenting practices.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure integrated support for clients.
• Proven ability to work with multi-disciplinary teams and liaise with external services such as family dispute resolution, child protection, and mental health services.
• Excellent information technology skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and client management systems.