Restoring Families Practitioner

About the role

MCM is recruiting a Restoring Families Practitioner for the Victorian Restoring Families program, funded by the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. Implemented in Western Metro and North/East Melbourne, the program supports children aged birth to 5 years who are subject to an unborn report or Child Protection Intervention. The practitioner delivers rapid, culturally safe, flexible and intensive services using a case management and care team approach, within a maximum term contract until July 2028.

Key responsibilities

• Provide intensive outreach to families referred by Child Protection for preservation or reunification support, including between 7am and 7pm if required.
• Rapidly engage families to give therapeutic, trauma-informed support focused on the child's wellbeing and safety, building parental/caregiver capacity and improving family functioning.
• Undertake child and family risk assessments using evidence-based tools such as the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale.
• Develop, implement and review child and family action plans co-developed with children, families, carers and care team members.
• Provide practical and emotional support, coaching, skill building and connections to social and economic resources.
• Work with Child Protection practitioners, coordinate shared visits, and build care teams with child, youth, family, health, employment, training and disability services.
• Use flexible funding for practical needs and specialist services, and work within a monitoring and evaluation framework.

Required profile

• Bachelor degree in social work, youth work, psychology, early childhood development or a related qualification.
• Substantial experience in therapeutic casework with children, parents and families, especially those with complex needs.
• Sound understanding of child development and of risk and needs assessment, intervention and risk management.
• Desirable: knowledge of the service system for vulnerable parents and children, and experience partnering with the child, youth and family sector.

Required skills

• Strong communication, interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong written and administrative skills, including case notes, reports and assessments.
• Flexibility and adaptability, including the ability to work flexible hours.

What we offer

• Diverse and inclusive organisation with a supportive learning and development environment.
• Salary packaging benefits.
• Culture of continuous improvement.

Applicants need a national police check, a Victorian Working with Children check, a valid Victorian driver's licence, right to work in Australia and a proof of identity check. Applications close on 13 November 2026; include a resume and cover letter.